Topical Bible: The Law of Moses: Christ: Abrogated, As a Covenant of Works

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The Law of Moses, also known as the Mosaic Law, comprises the commandments and ordinances given by God to the people of Israel through Moses. It is traditionally divided into three categories: moral, ceremonial, and civil laws. The Law served as a covenant of works, requiring perfect obedience for righteousness and blessing. However, with the advent of Christ, this covenantal framework was abrogated, as Christ fulfilled the Law and established a new covenant.

Fulfillment of the Law by Christ

Christ's relationship to the Law is pivotal in understanding its abrogation. Jesus Himself declared, "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). In fulfilling the Law, Christ met all its righteous requirements, living a life of perfect obedience. His fulfillment of the Law was both active, in His obedience, and passive, in His sacrificial death, which satisfied the Law's demands for justice.

The End of the Law as a Covenant of Works

The apostle Paul elucidates the transition from the Law as a covenant of works to the new covenant in Christ. In Romans 10:4, he writes, "Christ is the end of the Law, in order to bring righteousness to everyone who believes" . This indicates that the Law's role as a means of attaining righteousness through works is concluded in Christ. Believers are no longer under the Law's jurisdiction as a covenant of works but are justified by faith in Jesus Christ.

The Law's Purpose and Its Limitations

The Law was given to reveal sin and guide the Israelites in holiness. Paul explains, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the Law. For the Law merely brings awareness of sin" (Romans 3:20). The Law's inability to impart righteousness highlights its limitations and the necessity of a Savior. Galatians 3:24-25 further clarifies, "So the Law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian" .

The New Covenant in Christ

With the establishment of the new covenant, believers are no longer bound by the ceremonial and civil aspects of the Mosaic Law. Hebrews 8:13 states, "By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear" . The moral law, however, is upheld in the new covenant, not as a means of justification, but as a reflection of God's character and a guide for Christian living.

Freedom from the Law's Curse

Christ's atoning work on the cross redeems believers from the curse of the Law. Galatians 3:13 declares, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us" . This redemption signifies liberation from the Law's condemnation, as believers are now under grace. Romans 6:14 affirms, "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace" .

In summary, the Law of Moses, as a covenant of works, is abrogated in Christ. Through His fulfillment of the Law and the establishment of the new covenant, believers are justified by faith and freed from the Law's demands and curse. The moral principles of the Law continue to guide believers, reflecting the holiness to which they are called in Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 7:4
Why, my brothers, you also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that you should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit to God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Law Abrogated; the New Testament Promised and Given by God.
... But we do not trust through Moses or through the law ... the name of Him who was crucified,
Jesus Christ, and abide by ... to understand that He is the new law, and the ...
/.../chapter xi the law abrogated the.htm

On the Comparison of the Law and the Gospel
... 3:5, 6.) "The law was given by Moses; Grace and ... (Hebrews 10:9, 10.) Lastly, the moral
law ought to ... of his, to his glory, and for gathering together in Christ!". ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 13 on the comparison.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... than these elements, is explained by John the Baptist, when he says, "The law was
given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ," (John 1 ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

The Negative Side
... The contrast is not between the Law of Moses and the gospel of Christ, as two economies
or dispensations ... "Under Law" means, ruled by Law as a covenant of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/the negative side.htm

On the Church of the Old Testament, or under the Promise
... "The church, prior to the advent of Christ, under the ... and as comprised and proposed
in writing by Moses, in which ... the covenant of promise, and the law or the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation li on the church.htm

On the Offices of Our Lord Jesus Christ
... also shall strengthen him." (Psalm 89:21.) But God hath made Jesus of Nazareth Lord
and Christ, (Matthew 2 ... Exodus 19:6.) (4.) Because the law of Moses was to ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 14 on the offices.htm

Another Instance of Marcion's Tampering with St. Paul's Text the ...
... the foreskins of your heart;" [5359] as Moses likewise had ... Creator's Christ, as Christ's
law is the Creator's law. ... the truth, that the flesh of Christ is not ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter iv another instance of marcions.htm

The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic ...
... to see in such Rabbinic passages parallels to the sublime teaching of Christ! ... motives,
that since the dispersion of the Jews the Law of Moses was abrogated ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xviii the sermon on.htm

P??dobaptism. Its Accordance with the Institution of Christ, and ...
... to men of full age, who had already been taught, and had assumed the name of Christ,
just as the Jews behoved to be disciples under the law of Moses. ...
/.../chapter 16 paedobaptism its accordance.htm

Do are Then Make Void the Law through Faith? God Forbid; Yea, we ...
... teaching that the law of God is abrogated and set ... full extent, it might be said that
Christ is the ... The apostle says, "He that despised Moses' law, died without ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/do are then make void.htm