Thematic Bible: Of law


Thematic Bible



What then is [the benefit of] the law of Moses? It was introduced [as part of God's revelation] in order to define what sin was, until the seed [i.e., Jesus] would come, to whom the promise [of never ending life] was made. The law of Moses was ordained through [the medium of] angels and [delivered] through the hand of an intermediary [i.e., Moses]. Verse Conceptsevil, warnings againstAngels as God's servantsGuardiansLaw, Purpose OfMediationMoses, Significance OfResponsibility, To GodAngels Giving The LawGod's Promise To AbrahamAngels As MediatorsAngels Activities Among BelieversAngelic GuardianshipPromises

We [also] know this: Law [or, "the law of Moses"] is not intended for a righteous person, but for lawbreakers and rebels, for ungodly people and sinners, for unholy and irreverent people, for people who kill their parents, for murderers, Verse ConceptsLawlessnessGrace, And SalvationMurderSin, Nature OfHomosexualityJudgement On MurderersLack Of Holinessdisobedience

So, the law of Moses became like our "transportation to school," bringing us to [the school of] Christ where we [learn how to be] made right with God by faith [in Christ]. Verse Conceptsevil, warnings againstLaw, And GospelLaw, Purpose OfJustification By FaithSchoolsRighteous By FaithSchoollawJustification Is Not By The Law

This is because no human being can be considered right with God by [obeying] the requirements of a law. [Note: It is difficult to determine the exact sense in which "law" is used in these verses. It may be law generally, or the law of Moses specifically. See Bruce, pages 52-58]. For the knowledge of what sin is comes from the law of Moses. Verse ConceptsAccepting ChristAvoiding Sinevil, warnings againsteternal life, gift ofBehaviourJustification, Necessity OfKnowledge, Of SinLaw, And GospelLegalismSelf Righteousness, And The GospelSalvation Not By WorksSelf KnowledgeJustified By WorksWorks Of The LawJustificationlawdeedsJustification Is Not By The LawJustification Is Not By Works

Now the law of Moses was introduced [into the world] in order to cause sin to increase [i.e., it defined many things to be wrong that were previously not regarded as sin]. But with the increase of sin, God's unearned favor increased all the more. Verse ConceptsGod, Grace OfAboundingevil, warnings againstLaw, And GospelResponsibility, To GodAbounding, Evil ThingsAbundance, SpiritualGrowth In GraceGrowth Of EvilAdding EvilJustified By GraceCauses of failure inGrace Verse Law

What shall we say then? Is the law of Moses sinful? Certainly not! For I would not have known what sin was if it had not been for the law. For [example]; I would not have known [what it meant] to covet [i.e., have a strong desire for what belongs to someone else] except that the law said [Ex. 20:17], "You must not covet." Verse Conceptsevil, warnings againstethics, and graceHeart, Fallen And RedeemedJustice, In Believers' LivesKnowledge, Of SinKnowledge Of Good And EvilLaw, Purpose OfLaw, Ten CommandmentsMind, Of GodPopularityEffect Of The LawExcellent LawFar Be It!No SinThe Entrance Of SinCovetousnesslaw