As students of the Bible, we must understand that a large portion of the New Testament deals with the subject of the law. What many are unaware of is the fact that the law has multiple definitions and thus we must examine the context of each verse to decipher the law’s true meaning. To highlight the law’s multiple definitions, I will quote three verses that mention the law; however, each verses’ usage of “the law” will have a different connotation:

The first five books of the Old Testament

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. Luke 16:16    

The statutes and judgments contained in the Book of the Law

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment. Acts 15:24     

The Ten Commandments

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Romans 7:7

As we can see from the above three verses, the Bible might mention “the law,” yet each mention can have a different meaning. Then the fact that the Book of the Law and the Ten Commandments are both contained within the Law of Moses (the first five books of the Bible), may even create more misunderstandings. As students of the Bible, we must understand what law the Bible is referring to.

Here are a few rules that can help provide context to the law              

• The Law often refers to the first five books of the Bible when it is included with other components of the Old Testament:

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Luke 24:44

And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. Acts 28:23

This may not be a universal rule, but oftentimes, the law of Moses refers to the first five books of the Bible, especially when mentioned with the Prophets and the Psalms. In this manner, we can know for sure that the Bible writer is referring to the Old Testament canon.   

• The Law can also refer to the statutes and judgments written in the Book of the Law that was part of the Old Covenant.

The way we can often determine that this law is being referenced is when the context of the conversation around the law includes components of Mosaic ordinances. Here are some examples:

For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 1Corinthians 9:9

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Hebrews 10:1

As we can see, the law is mentioned, but it should be evident that the Book of the Law is being referenced. 1Corinithians 9:9 is quoting from Deuteronomy 25:4, which refers to the Book of the Law. Hebrews 10:1 refers to the sacrificial portion of the law, which indicates the Book of the Law is the intended subject.     

• The Ten Commandments can also be seen when the verse refers to laws written within the tables of stone.                                             

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. James 2:10-11

Here, the Ten Commandments are clearly referenced. However, we must understand that the Bible is not always this clear on which definition of the law is being referenced (this goes for all three definitions). We also must be open to the possibility that “the law“ refers to multiple definitions, which will require more research.

Has the law been abolished?

Today, while some Christians believe that part of the law is still binding on the world, the majority of Christians view the law from a negative perspective. Any suggestion of keeping the law is viewed just as badly as someone who is breaking the law (read that again). However, I believe much of this confusion stems from the fact that we may simply misunderstand the Bible’s usage of “the law,” thus leading to the idea that every law has been done away with. In addition to the context of the law, the abolition of the Old Covenant also has many believing the law was abolished with the Covenant; however, the question we should ask ourselves is— Does the abolition of the Old Covenant also do away with the law?

Just like the Old Covenant had a law and commandments, the New Covenant also has laws and commandments. However, the Book of the Law in the Old Testament also contained curses for those who would not perform these laws. Notice how Paul conveys this thought:

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Galatians 3:10

If we remember that the 10 commandments and the Book of the Law were contained within the Old Covenant, we can see that, even though they were two separate components within the law, they were still bound together within the Old Covenant. In this manner, you could not keep one and disregard the other; however, when Christ came, He voided the Old Covenant (also known as the First Covenant).

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. Hebrews 10:9

When Christ voided the First Covenant, He removed the contract that the law was confined to. Think of the Old Covenant as a folder or binder. Within that Binder are several documents (the 10 Commandments and the Book of the Law). Although they are separate documents, they are housed within the same binder. When Christ came, he discarded the Binder, but he never destroyed all the Documents within the Binder. He simply established a new “Binder” that had better promises. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Hebrews 8:6

In future studies, you will see that not every Old Testament law was added to the New Covenant “binder,” but for now we are simply pointing out that the New Covenant also involves the law.

How does the New Testament define sin?

According to the Bible, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The Bible also tells us that our iniquities can separate us from God (Isaiah 59:2). If the consequences of sin are death and separation from God, then it behooves us to understand what sin is. Here is how the Bible defines sin:  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 1John 3:4

Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Romans 4:15

How did Paul view the moral part of the law?

Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Romans 7:12

Doesn’t Jesus represent the end of the law?

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:4

Often this verse is seen as proof that the law has been abolished, but this is not the case. Historically, the Jews viewed their righteousness through the law. They saw their works as a means for salvation; however, Paul reveals that Christ is the end of the law FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. In essence, those who are considered righteous can no longer believe they are righteous simply because they keep the law. Righteousness only comes through faith in Christ. Therefore we should understand that it’s not the law that has ended, but rather the idea that righteousness can be attained through keeping the law.

Are we justified by keeping the law?

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Romans 3:28

Once again, it is reiterated that we are not justified by keeping the law. Essentially, the Scripures are telling us that we can abstain from idols, keep the Sabbath, and refrain from lying and stealing, but this will not earn us salvation. Our salvation comes directly from believing in Christ and accepting His sacrifice. If we were able to be righteous by keeping the law, then that would mean we don’t need a Savior; and if we don’t need a Savior, then Christ died in vain.

Does faith determine we no longer need to keep the law?

Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. Romans 3:31.

Even though we are not saved by keeping the law, this does not mean we should break the law. In other words, even though I have faith in Jesus, and I have accepted His sacrifice on my behalf, I cannot then go and murder someone and still be in good standing with God. We must understand that though we are saved through faith, we are still judged by our works (Revelation 20:13).

What purpose does the law serve?

The goal of the law is to point us back to Jesus. When we find ourselves in sin, we recognize that we cannot fix ourselves. That’s when we come to the Savior and ask Him to put a new heart within us. The law reminds us that we can never be good enough on our own, we need a supernatural power to live a life of obedience, and that can only come through an experience with Jesus Christ.