25 Bible Verses About The Law (With Commentary)

The concept of law has been a fundamental aspect of human civilization for centuries. The Bible, too, contains a wealth of teachings about the importance of law and justice. Join us on a journey through scripture as we explore these insightful verses about the law.

Bible Verses About The Law

Exodus 20:1-17

“And God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol or worship any other god. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Honor your father and mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

These verses contain the Ten Commandments, which serve as the foundation of God’s law for His people. They were given to the Israelites as a guide for righteous living and an expression of their covenant relationship with God.

These commandments cover various aspects of life, emphasizing the proper worship of God, respect for authority, the sanctity of life, integrity in relationships, and contentment with what God has provided.

Although the Ten Commandments were given specifically to Israel, they provide timeless principles that reveal God’s desire for His people to live in obedience and righteousness.

Matthew 5:17-20

“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. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

In this passage, Jesus clarifies His relationship to the law. He declares that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Jesus, as the perfect and sinless Son of God, fully embodied and fulfilled the requirements of the law on behalf of humanity.

Jesus emphasizes the unchanging nature of God’s law, stating that not even the smallest part of it will disappear until everything is accomplished. He emphasizes the significance of following and teaching God’s commands, highlighting that even the least commandments hold weight in God’s kingdom.

Moreover, Jesus challenges His listeners to surpass the righteousness of the religious leaders of His time, who relied on external adherence to the law but lacked genuine heart transformation.

Romans 3:20

“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”

This verse emphasizes that no one can be justified or declared righteous before God by simply obeying the law. The law serves as a standard that reveals our sinful nature and convicts us of our need for a Savior.

It is through the law that we recognize our inability to achieve righteousness on our own. The law shows us our shortcomings and points us to the grace and mercy found in Jesus Christ.

Thus, this verse highlights the need for faith in Christ as the One who fulfills the law on our behalf and offers the gift of righteousness through His sacrificial death and resurrection.

Galatians 3:24-25

“So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”

This verse emphasizes the temporary role of the law as a guardian or tutor to lead us to Christ. The law was given to reveal our need for a Savior and to guide us in righteousness until the time of Christ’s coming.

Once the perfect law-fulfiller, Jesus, arrived, the need for the law as a tutor ended. Through faith in Christ, we are justified, or declared righteous, and no longer under the guidance or control of the law.

This verse underscores the shift from relying on the law to trusting in Jesus for salvation, highlighting the transformative power of faith in Christ.

1 Timothy 1:8-11

“We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which He entrusted to me.”

This passage emphasizes that the law, when used properly, is good and serves a specific purpose. It is designed to expose and address the sins and rebellious actions of ungodly and sinful people.

The law sets a standard for behavior and reveals the need for repentance and transformation. It identifies various forms of sin, such as murder, sexual immorality, homosexuality, and dishonesty, among others, showing us what God deems as contrary to sound doctrine and His glorious gospel.

As believers, we are called to live in accordance with the sound doctrine and the transformative power of the gospel, allowing the law to guide our actions and shape our character.

James 2:8-12

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘You shall not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.”

This passage highlights the importance of love and impartiality in keeping the law. While the law encompasses various commandments, the “royal law” is to love one’s neighbor as oneself.

Showing favoritism or discrimination violates this foundational principle of love and reveals our failure to keep the entire law. A single transgression of the law renders us guilty of breaking the whole law, as all commandments carry equal weight in God’s eyes.

As believers, we are called to speak and act in alignment with the law that gives freedom, understanding that our actions will ultimately be judged by God’s righteous standard.

Romans 7:7-8

“What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’ But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.”

This passage addresses the relationship between the law and sin. The law is not sinful but rather serves to reveal the existence of sin and the specific nature of sin in our lives.

It is through the law that we understand what is right and wrong in the sight of God. The commandment against coveting, for example, illustrates how sin takes advantage of the law’s restrictions to produce sinful desires within us.

This passage highlights the vital role of the law in making us aware of our sinful tendencies and our need for God’s grace and redemption.

Romans 13:8-10

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

This passage emphasizes the centrality of love in fulfilling the law. Loving one another fulfills all the commandments mentioned, including those against adultery, murder, theft, and coveting.

When we love our neighbor, we effectively uphold the intent and purpose of the law by refusing to harm or mistreat them. Love is therefore the ultimate fulfillment of the law.

This passage encourages believers to prioritize the practice of selfless love towards others, recognizing that it encompasses and surpasses the requirements of the law.

Matthew 22:37-40

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

When asked which commandment was the greatest, Jesus responded with these words. He declared that the greatest commandments are to love God with all our being and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

These commandments encompass the essence of the law and prophets, summarizing the entirety of God’s commandments. Obeying these two commandments fulfills the underlying intent and purpose of all other laws.

By loving God and one another fully, we demonstrate our obedience and devotion to God, fulfilling the ultimate requirements of the law.

1 John 3:4

“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.”

This verse explicitly connects sin and lawlessness, asserting that whenever we sin, we break God’s law. Sin is, by nature, a rebellion against God’s established order and commands.

It reinforces the vital role of the law in revealing what is sinful and what is pleasing to God. Whenever we choose to go against God’s law, we are acting in lawlessness and disobeying His righteous standards.

This verse serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance and obedience to God’s law.

Psalm 119:97-104

“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.”

These verses express the psalmist’s love and reverence for God’s law. The psalmist declares their deep affection and constant meditation on God’s commands.

The psalmist acknowledges how God’s law grants them wisdom, insight, and understanding that surpass the teachings of their enemies, teachers, and elders. It guides them in making righteous decisions and avoiding evil paths.

The psalmist cherishes God’s words as sweeter than honey and gains understanding from His precepts. This passage serves as a testimony of the transformative power and delight that come from a sincere devotion to God’s law.

Psalm 19:7-11

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them, your servant is warned; in keeping them, there is great reward.”

These verses extol the virtues and benefits of God’s law. The law is described as perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, and pure. It refreshes the soul, imparts wisdom, brings joy to the heart, and enlightens the eyes.

The psalmist emphasizes the enduring and righteousness of God’s decrees, valuing them as more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. The law serves as a guide, warning God’s servants and leading them toward great rewards.

This passage affirms the significance and value of God’s law in the life of believers, highlighting its transformative power and the blessings that come from adhering to it.

Psalm 119:9-11

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

In these verses, the psalmist recognizes the role of God’s word, contained in the law, in guiding and preserving a person’s purity. The psalmist seeks God wholeheartedly, desiring to remain on the right path and not deviate from His commands.

To avoid sinning against God, the psalmist has hidden His word within their heart. This indicates a deliberate effort to internalize and remember God’s law, using it as a defense against temptation and disobedience.

These verses underscore the importance of immersing oneself in God’s word and incorporating it into daily life to maintain purity and righteousness in the sight of the Lord.

Psalm 119:141

“Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.”

This verse emphasizes the psalmist’s unwavering commitment and loyalty to God’s precepts, even in the face of lowliness and contempt. Despite the challenges and difficulties they face, the psalmist remains steadfast and does not forget God’s commands.

The psalmist’s mindset serves as an inspiration for believers facing adversity. It encourages us to cling to God’s law and maintain our obedience to Him, regardless of our circumstances or the opinions of others.

This verse highlights the enduring value and impact of God’s law, even in the midst of challenging situations.

Psalm 1:1-2

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”

These verses present a contrast between the blessedness of one who delights in God’s law and refrains from engaging in sinful activities and associating with the wicked.

The blessed person finds their delight in the law of the Lord and continually meditates on it. This implies an ongoing focus and contemplation of God’s commands, drawing inspiration, wisdom, and guidance from them.

This passage highlights the importance of deliberately avoiding sinful influences and intentionally immersing oneself in God’s law for spiritual growth and blessings.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

In this passage, God instructs the Israelites on the importance of passing on His commandments from one generation to another. They are to keep His commandments close to their hearts and diligently teach them to their children.

The Israelites are encouraged to regularly discuss and incorporate God’s commands into their daily lives, regardless of their activities or locations.

These instructions highlight the necessity of intentionally teaching and modeling God’s law within families and communities, ensuring that His principles are continually upheld and transmitted to future generations.

Proverbs 6:23

“For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life.”

This verse characterizes God’s commandments as a lamp and His teachings as a light. They bring illumination and guidance, pointing the way to life.

Additionally, this verse underscores the role of correction and instruction in our spiritual journey. By heeding God’s corrective measures and being receptive to His teachings, we can walk along the path that leads to life.

The verse emphasizes that God’s law is not to restrict or burden us but rather to lead us towards a fulfilled and purposeful life in alignment with His will.

Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

These words from the psalmist acknowledge the illuminating and guiding nature of God’s word. Like a lamp, God’s word provides clarity and direction for our journey.

Just as a lamp casts light on a dark path, God’s word shines light on our path, enabling us to make righteous choices and avoid stumbling in our walk with Him.

This verse highlights the reliance and dependence that believers should have on God’s word as they navigate through life, seeking His will and following His guidance.

Joshua 1:8

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

In this verse, God instructs Joshua to keep the book of the law constantly in his mind and heart. He is encouraged to meditate on it day and night, allowing it to permeate his thoughts and actions.

The promise given is that, through continuous focus and adherence to the law, Joshua will find prosperity and success in all his endeavors.

This verse emphasizes the importance of a devoted commitment to and interaction with God’s law, which brings about blessings and favor from the Lord.

Psalm 119:165

“Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

This verse declares that those who love God’s law experience great peace and assurance. Their love and devotion to God’s law serve as a source of stability and protection.

When our love and commitment to God’s law are steadfast, it guards and anchors us, preventing us from stumbling or falling into destructive paths.

This verse encourages believers to cultivate a deep love for God’s law, recognizing its role in bringing peace, security, and unwavering faith in the midst of life’s challenges.

Isaiah 30:21

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

This verse speaks of God’s guidance and direction in our lives. It assures us that as we seek His will and follow His law, we will hear His voice directing us in the right path.

God’s voice functions as a compass, providing clear instructions and confirming the way we should go. It leads us away from error and towards the righteous and obedient life He desires for us.

This verse reminds us of the importance of aligning ourselves with God’s law and listening to His voice as we traverse the journey of our lives.

Psalm 119:112

“My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.”

This verse demonstrates the psalmist’s unwavering commitment to keeping God’s decrees. Their heart is fully devoted to obeying and upholding God’s law, expressing a desire to remain faithful until the very end.

This verse highlights the persistence and dedication that should characterize believers’ adherence to God’s law. Regardless of the challenges or obstacles faced, our hearts should be firmly fixed on staying true to God and His commands.

It serves as an encouragement to persevere in righteousness and maintain our fidelity to God throughout all seasons of life.

What Does the Bible Say About The Law?

In the Bible, the word “law” is often used to refer to the commandments and instructions given by God to His people. The Old Testament contains the Mosaic Law, given to Moses on Mount Sinai, which includes the Ten Commandments and various other laws and regulations intended to govern the lives of the Israelites.

As Christians, we believe that the Old Testament law was a reflection of God’s holy and perfect character, and it served as a guide for His people to live in obedience and righteousness. However, the New Testament teaches us that Jesus Christ fulfilled the requirements of the Mosaic Law through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection.

We understand from the teachings of the New Testament that while the moral principles of the Old Testament law are still relevant and applicable to us today, we are no longer bound by the ceremonial and civil aspects of the Mosaic Law. Instead, we are called to obey the law of Christ, which is summarized by the commandment to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves.

In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul emphasizes that we are justified by faith in Christ, not by our ability to keep the law. However, this does not mean that the law is irrelevant, as Paul himself affirms that the law is holy, righteous, and good.

As followers of Christ, we are called to uphold the moral principles outlined in the law, not as a means of earning salvation, but as a response to God’s grace and as an expression of our love for Him. Therefore, we strive to live in obedience to God’s commandments, recognizing that our ability to do so comes from the transforming work of the Holy Spirit within us.

In conclusion, the Bible teaches us that the law serves as a standard of righteousness and a guide for holy living. While we are no longer under the Old Testament law in the same way as the Israelites, we uphold its moral principles and seek to live in accordance with the law of Christ, empowered by the grace of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.