The Bible has a lot to say about law, justice, and God’s commands. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses about law:
The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments are considered the foundation of God’s law and are recorded in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. They prohibit idolatry, blasphemy, Sabbath breaking, parental dishonor, murder, adultery, theft, false testimony, and coveting.
“And God spoke all these words, saying, ‘I am the Lord your God… You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image…You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain…Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy…Honor your father and your mother…You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet…'” (Exodus 20:1-17 ESV)
Obeying God’s Laws and Commands
The Bible emphasizes the importance of obeying God’s laws and commands. God’s people are called to carefully follow His decrees.
“Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!” (Deuteronomy 5:29 ESV)
“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!” (Psalm 119:1 ESV)
“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” (Psalm 119:15-16 ESV)
Loving God and Neighbor Fulfills the Law
Jesus taught that loving God wholeheartedly and loving your neighbor as yourself essentially fulfills the intent of God’s law.
“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’” (Matthew 22:37-40 ESV)
“For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14 ESV)
“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.” (James 2:8 ESV)
The Purpose of God’s Law
The Bible explains that God’s law and commands are good and are meant to lead us to life and freedom in Christ.
“So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.” (Romans 7:12 ESV)
“…the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes…for our good always.” (Deuteronomy 6:24 ESV)
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7 ESV)
“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (James 1:25 ESV)
We Cannot Earn Salvation by the Law
The Bible is also clear that observing the law cannot earn salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ.
“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20 ESV)
“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” (Romans 3:20 NIV)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)
Jesus and the Law
Jesus fulfilled the law through His sinless life and sacrificial death. He amplified and intensified certain aspects of the law in His teaching. He also brought grace and truth.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17 ESV)
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17 ESV)
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4 ESV)
Freedom in Christ and Loving Others
As Christians, we are free from condemnation by the law through Christ. However, God still desires us to love Him and love others.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2 ESV)
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13 ESV)
“For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14 ESV)
Governments and Secular Laws
The Bible encourages Christians to obey the laws of earthly governments and authorities, unless they directly conflict with God’s commands.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1 ESV)
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.” (1 Peter 2:13-14 ESV)
“We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29 ESV)
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21 ESV)
Old Testament Law and Christians
While Christians are not under the Old Testament law, it still has value in revealing God’s character and righteousness.
“But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.” (Romans 7:6 ESV)
“But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate…” (1 Timothy 1:8-9 NKJV)
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 ESV)
“Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.” (Romans 3:31 ESV)
Justice, Mercy, and Faithfulness
The Bible emphasizes that God delights in justice, mercy and faithfulness more than empty ritual and sacrifice. We are to embody these qualities.
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6 ESV)
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 ESV)
“You have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.” (Matthew 23:23 ESV)
“Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” (Colossians 4:1 ESV)
Not Under Law, But Under Grace
Christians have died to the law through Christ and are now under grace. However, this is not a license to sin.
“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14 ESV)
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:18 ESV)
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2 ESV)
Lawlessness and Lawful Living
The Bible condemns lawlessness but commends righteous, lawful living through the Spirit.
“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8 ESV)
“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3 ESV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV)
“For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” (Romans 14:18-19 NKJV)
Examples and Teachings from the Law
The Old Testament law provides many examples and teachings that are still applicable. It gives insight into God’s nature and principles.
“Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11 ESV)
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14-15 ESV)
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 ESV)
In Summary
In summary, the Bible contains God’s laws and commands that reveal His standards and expectations. Obeying God’s law pleases Him. However, we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, not by good works. As Christians we are not under the Old Testament law, but are still to live by the Spirit. The law shows us our need for Christ, and instructs us in godly living. Through Christ, we have freedom from sin and condemnation. However, this freedom is not a license to do whatever we want. God still calls us to a life of love, justice, mercy and faithfulness.