What is the Law in the Bible?
Quick Answer
The Law (Torah) refers to God's commandments given through Moses, including moral, ceremonial, and civil regulations that revealed God's standards and Israel's need for a Savior.
Understanding The Law
The biblical Law, or Torah, encompasses the commandments, statutes, and ordinances God gave Israel through Moses. The Hebrew word 'Torah' means instruction or teaching, broader than mere legal requirements. The Law served multiple purposes: it revealed God's holy character, established Israel as a distinct nation, exposed human sinfulness, and pointed forward to Christ. Traditionally, the Law is understood in three categories: moral law (summarized in the Ten Commandments), ceremonial law (sacrifices, feasts, purity regulations), and civil law (governing Israel's national life). The moral law reflects God's eternal character and remains binding. The ceremonial law found fulfillment in Christ and is no longer observed literally. The civil law applied specifically to ancient Israel as a theocracy.
In the Old Testament
God gave the Law to Israel at Mount Sinai after delivering them from Egypt. It established the covenant relationship and distinguished Israel from surrounding nations. The Law covered every aspect of life: worship, diet, clothing, agriculture, justice, and personal relationships. Obedience brought blessing; disobedience brought curse (Deuteronomy 28). The Psalmist delighted in God's law (Psalm 119), recognizing it as good and life-giving. Yet Israel's history demonstrated the inability to keep the Law perfectly, pointing to the need for a new heart and a new covenant.
In the New Testament
The New Testament clarifies the Law's purpose and limitations. Paul argues that the Law cannot justify anyone because all have failed to keep it perfectly (Romans 3:20). Instead, the Law serves as a 'schoolmaster' to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24) by revealing our sin and need for grace. Jesus did not abolish the Law but fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17). Christians are not 'under the law' as a system of salvation but fulfill the Law's righteous requirements through the Spirit (Romans 8:4). The moral principles of the Law remain as guides for Christian living, fulfilled in the command to love.
Key Scripture References
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
Read full commentary →Galatians 3:24“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
Read full commentary →Matthew 5:17“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
Read full commentary →Psalm 19:7“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
Read full commentary →Romans 7:12“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”
Read full commentary →James 2:10“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
Read full commentary →Related Concepts
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