The Biblical Law’s Continuing Validity

Asher Chee |

It is sometimes taught that after Jesus Christ died and rose again, the biblical law was abolished, and so we no longer have to keep the biblical law today. However, this is not true. The New Testament makes it clear that the biblical law continues to be valid even after Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Faith Upholds the Biblical Law

Romans 3:20 says,

Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. (ESV)

Previously, in verse 20, the Apostle Paul argued that no one can be made right with God by keeping the biblical law. Here in verse 31, he clarified that the faith of true believers does not involve overthrowing, “nullifying” (NIV), or “making void” (KJV) the biblical law.

The Biblical Law Defines Sin

Romans 7:7 says,

What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” (ESV)

Even after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Paul wrote that he could only know the definition of sin through the law. We know that this “law” is the biblical law because the example which he gives of a commandment, “You shall not covet,” is from the Ten Commandments, which is part of the biblical law (Exod. 20:17).

The Biblical Law Defines Rightness

Ephesians 6:1–2 says,

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honour your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise). (ESV)

The Apostle Paul instructs children to obey their parents based on the fifth of the Ten Commandments: “Honour your father and your mother.” (Exod. 20:12)

The Biblical Law Defines Love

Romans 13:8–10 says,

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (ESV)

The Apostle Paul instructed the Roman Christians to love one another based on the biblical law. We know that this “law” is the biblical law because he lists several of the Ten Commandments:

Paul wrote that these commandments are summarized in the one word, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself”—which itself is a commandment in the biblical law (Lev. 19:18).

True Freedom Involves the Biblical Law

Galatians 5:13–14 says,

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. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” (ESV)

The Apostle Paul instructed the Galatian Christians to serve one another through love based on a commandment in the biblical law: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” (Lev. 19:18)

Conclusion

Long after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the New Testament writers continued teaching their fellow Christians to keep the biblical law, including the Ten Commandments. Clearly, they did not think that the biblical law was abolished such that Christians no longer needed to keep it!