Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of law in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing divine commandments, moral principles, and civil regulations. The law serves as a guide for righteous living, a reflection of God's holiness, and a means to maintain order within the community of believers. The following scriptures provide insight into the general nature and purpose of the law as presented in the Bible.
Divine Origin and PurposeThe law is fundamentally rooted in the character of God and is given to His people as a covenantal guide. In
Exodus 20:1-2, the introduction to the Ten Commandments, it is stated, "And God spoke all these words, saying, 'I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.'" This establishes the divine origin of the law and its purpose in guiding the Israelites in their relationship with God.
Moral and Ethical StandardsThe law provides a moral and ethical framework for living. In
Deuteronomy 6:5, the command is given, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This commandment underscores the law's role in directing the heart and actions of believers towards God and others.
Civil and Social RegulationsThe law also includes civil and social regulations to ensure justice and equity within the community.
Leviticus 19:15 states, "You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly." Such statutes highlight the law's function in promoting fairness and justice in societal interactions.
The Law as a TutorIn the New Testament, the law is described as a tutor leading to Christ.
Galatians 3:24 explains, "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith." This indicates the law's role in revealing human sinfulness and the need for a Savior.
Fulfillment in ChristJesus Christ is seen as the fulfillment of the law. In
Matthew 5:17, Jesus declares, "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." This fulfillment signifies that Christ embodies the law's ultimate purpose and brings its requirements to completion.
The Law Written on HeartsThe New Covenant promises the internalization of the law.
Jeremiah 31:33 prophesies, "I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people." This transformation indicates a shift from external adherence to an internalized, Spirit-led obedience.
Liberty and the Law of ChristBelievers are called to live in the liberty of the Spirit while upholding the law of Christ.
Galatians 5:14 summarizes this law: "The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" This encapsulates the essence of the law in the life of a believer, emphasizing love as the fulfillment of the law's demands.
These scriptures collectively portray the law as a divine instrument for guiding, teaching, and ultimately pointing to the redemptive work of Christ, while also establishing a framework for moral and social conduct among God's people.
Nave's Topical Index
Psalm 19:7-9The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Nave's Topical IndexPsalm 119:1-8
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index
Proverbs 28:4,5
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
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Matthew 22:21
They say to him, Caesar's. Then said he to them, Render therefore to Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's.
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Luke 16:17
And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one pronunciation mark of the law to fail.
Nave's Topical Index
Luke 20:22-25
Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or no?
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Romans 2:14,15
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law to themselves:
Nave's Topical Index
Romans 7:7,12,14
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. No, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, You shall not covet.
Nave's Topical Index
Romans 13:10
Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
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1 Timothy 1:5,8-10
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
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James 1:25
But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
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1 John 3:4
Whoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
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1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Concerning the Scriptures.
... law, engraven in the heart, the law of the ... his particular station, and not only the
general terms of ... so falls out frequently concerning the scriptures, in the ...
/.../proposition iii concerning the scriptures.htm
Whether the Third Precept of the Decalogue, Concerning the ...
... to God: and just as the Divine scriptures teach the ... that it should be placed among
the general precepts of ... rather than any other ceremonial precept of the Law. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the third precept of.htm
Our Scriptures were Received by Ancient Christians of Different ...
... flying through every book of the sacred law." (Lardner, vol ... X. And as a general
testimony to the same ... by good arguments, from the Holy Scriptures." (Lardner, vol ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section vii our scriptures were.htm
Eusebius: Constantine. General Index.
... son, husband, father, friend, as general, legislator, statesman ... and concerning wills,
[3527]546; law that no ... and concerning copies of the Scriptures, [3533]548 ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/eusebius constantine general index.htm
General Corruption.
... CHAPTER I. GENERAL CORRUPTION. ... as it had fared with the original Copy of the Law
for many ... time enough has been said to explain why these Scriptures should have ...
/.../chapter i general corruption.htm
When the Scriptures are Quoted, or Alluded To, they are Quoted ...
... Beside the general strain of reference and quotation ... thus: "These things the Holy
Scriptures teach us ... Concerning the righteousness which the law teaches, the ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section ii when the scriptures.htm
On Angels in General and in Particular
... DISPUTATION XXV ON ANGELS IN GENERAL AND IN PARTICULAR. ... We are informed in the
Scriptures themselves, that there ... God likewise prescribed a certain law to angels ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxv on angels in.htm
Of Creation in General.
... a particular attribute of God, but is the general nature of ... fulfilling of the whole
will or law of God ... be regenerated in the soul; so the scriptures say nothing ...
/.../law/an appeal to all that doubt/of creation in general.htm
Concerning the Condition of Man in the Fall.
... it is manifest that he speaks of mankind in general. ... though they really fu!fil the
righteous law of God ... a certain limbus, concerning which the scriptures are as ...
/.../proposition iv concerning the condition.htm
On the Comparison of the Law and the Gospel
... (Isaiah 2:3.) (3.) In the general consideration of ... the New Testament," lies according
to the Scriptures in the ... that the Fathers who lived under the law and the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 13 on the comparison.htm
Resources
Law vs. grace-why is there so much conflict among Christians on the issue? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Christians are not under the law? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2)? | GotQuestions.orgLaw: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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