Topical Bible: The Law of Moses: Could not Give Righteous and Life

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The Law of Moses, also known as the Mosaic Law, is a central element of the Old Testament, encompassing commandments, statutes, and ordinances given by God to the people of Israel through Moses. It is traditionally divided into three parts: the moral law, the ceremonial law, and the civil law. While the Law served as a guide for righteous living and a means to maintain a covenant relationship with God, it is clear from the New Testament writings that the Law itself could not impart righteousness or eternal life.

Inability to Impart Righteousness

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, articulates the limitations of the Law in providing righteousness. In Romans 3:20 , Paul states, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin." The Law functions as a mirror, revealing human sinfulness and the need for divine grace. It sets a standard of holiness that exposes the inability of humanity to achieve righteousness through their own efforts.

Galatians 2:16 further emphasizes this point: "Know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." Here, Paul contrasts the works of the Law with faith in Christ, underscoring that justification—being declared righteous before God—comes through faith, not adherence to the Law.

Inability to Impart Life

The Law's inability to grant eternal life is also a theme in the New Testament. In Galatians 3:21 , Paul poses a rhetorical question: "Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law." This passage highlights that the Law was never intended to be a means of obtaining eternal life. Instead, it points to the necessity of a Savior who can fulfill the Law's demands and offer life through His sacrifice.

The writer of Hebrews also addresses the limitations of the Law in Hebrews 7:18-19 : "So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God." The Law, described as "weak and useless" in terms of perfecting humanity, is contrasted with the "better hope" found in Jesus Christ, through whom believers can draw near to God.

Purpose of the Law

While the Law could not provide righteousness or life, it served several important purposes. It was a tutor or guardian leading to Christ, as Paul explains in Galatians 3:24 : "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith." The Law prepared the way for the coming of Christ by highlighting the need for redemption and pointing to the Messiah who would fulfill its requirements.

Moreover, the Law provided a framework for the Israelites to live as God's chosen people, setting them apart from other nations and teaching them about God's holiness and justice. It established a sacrificial system that foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who would atone for sin once and for all.

In summary, while the Law of Moses was a vital component of God's covenant with Israel, it was not designed to impart righteousness or eternal life. Instead, it revealed human sinfulness and the need for a Savior, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and the source of true righteousness and life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 3:21
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness should have been by the law.
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Romans 8:3,4
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
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Hebrews 10:1
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.
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Library

The Law.
... but from heaven to earth, from Christ to Moses, none can ... so fly about that the room
by him could not be cleansed ... this is to show thee that the law, instead of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/v the law.htm

Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity God's Testament and Promise in ...
... It might also be said that Moses borrowed the ten ... 8. Now, if Abraham and the fathers
could not be justified by ... jurists declare it to be a divine law that no ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/thirteenth sunday after trinity gods.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... Wherefore Moses, after promulgating the Law, hesitates not to ... so, but they thoroughly
detest the law itself, and ... Lawgiver; so that if they could, they would ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

"That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us. "
... by himself, (Exodus 34:6, 7.) to Moses, engraven deeply ... And as the law made him a
curse, and exacted the ... O what heart could stand against the power of this ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiv that the righteousness.htm

Jesus Life-Giver and Judge.
... For if ye believed Moses, ye would believe Me; for he ... work." He did not make any
comment on the Sabbath law. ... He had life in Himself, and could give it to whom ...
/.../xiii jesus life-giver and judge.htm

Trypho Compares Jesus with Perseus; and Would Prefer [To Say] that ...
... reason of His living conformably to law, He was ... commencement of [their] institution
from Moses, saved, [and ... and trembling, so that they could not give ear to ...
/.../chapter lxvii trypho compares jesus with.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... put her away?" Christ said unto them, "Moses, because of ... must have been great indeed
which could not be induced ... Then the Lord quoted the same law, to show both ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

Man's Own Character no Ground of Peace
... The Galatians did this also when they insisted on adding the law of Moses to the ...
There could be no real peace; for its foundation would be sand, not rock. ...
/.../bonar/gods way of peace/chapter ii mans own character.htm

Law and Grace.
... Moses was the representative of the law. ... they had, was there ever a time when they
could not have done ... The law locks up my heart; grace opens it"and then the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter v law and grace.htm

Jesus Discussed in Jerusalem.
... on the Sabbath, that the law of Moses may not ... Him before, being one of them), Doth
our law judge a ... Him to His origin; and therefore they could not believe He ...
/.../xvi jesus discussed in jerusalem.htm