The Bible is filled with wisdom and guidance on living a righteous life. One important topic is the law, which offers principles that shape our actions and attitudes.
Let’s explore some key Bible verses that shed light on the significance and purpose of God’s law in our lives.
Bible Verses About The Law
Romans 7:12 – The law is holy and good
“So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.” – Romans 7:12
Matthew 5:17 – Jesus came to fulfill the law
“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
Galatians 3:24 – The law serves as our guardian
“So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” – Galatians 3:24
Psalms 119:105 – The law guides our paths
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalms 119:105
James 1:25 – The law of freedom is to be followed
“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” – James 1:25
Exodus 20:1-3 – The foundation of God’s law
“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.'” – Exodus 20:1-3
Deuteronomy 6:5 – Love the Lord with all your heart
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” – Deuteronomy 6:5
Romans 3:20 – The law brings awareness of sin
“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.” – Romans 3:20
1 John 2:4 – Keeping the law shows we know God
“Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” – 1 John 2:4
Romans 8:2 – The law of the Spirit gives life
“Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” – Romans 8:2
John 1:17 – Grace and truth came through Jesus
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” – John 1:17
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 – Love and keep the commandments
“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?” – Deuteronomy 10:12-13
Galatians 5:14 – Love fulfills the law
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” – Galatians 5:14
Matthew 22:37-40 – Loving God and our neighbor
“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.” – Matthew 22:37-40
Isaiah 42:21 – The law was perfect in its intent
“It pleased the LORD for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious.” – Isaiah 42:21
Hebrews 10:1 – The law is a shadow of good things
“The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves.” – Hebrews 10:1
Proverbs 3:1-2 – Keep the law close to your heart
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.” – Proverbs 3:1-2
Romans 13:10 – Love is the fulfillment of the law
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” – Romans 13:10
Luke 16:17 – The permanence of the law
“It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.” – Luke 16:17
Galatians 2:16 – Justified through faith, not the law
“Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” – Galatians 2:16
Psalm 119:11 – Storing God’s word in our hearts
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” – Psalm 119:11
Exodus 34:28 – The law was given to Moses
“Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.” – Exodus 34:28
Proverbs 4:20-22 – Pay attention to the law
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.” – Proverbs 4:20-22
Romans 6:14 – We are not under the law but under grace
“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” – Romans 6:14
Philippians 3:9 – Found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own
“And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ.” – Philippians 3:9
Colossians 2:14 – The law was canceled for our sake
“Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” – Colossians 2:14
Psalms 19:7 – The law revives the soul
“The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” – Psalms 19:7
Matthew 7:12 – The law and the prophets summarized
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
Romans 2:13 – It is not the hearers of the law who are righteous
“For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” – Romans 2:13
2 Timothy 3:16 – All scripture is God-breathed
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16
Also Read: 30 Important Bible Verses About Being A Good Person
What Does The Bible Say About The Law?
The Bible covers a lot of ground when it talks about the law. One of the most recognizable places where we see laws is in the Ten Commandments. These commandments provide guidance on how to live and interact with others and with God. But the law goes beyond these ten rules. It’s woven throughout many books in the Bible, impacting how we understand morality, justice, and our duties.
When we think about the law in the Bible, we often start with the Old Testament. Here, we find many rules and regulations given to the people of Israel. These laws were a foundation for their society, dealing with everything from religious ceremonies to everyday behavior. Laws about food, clothing, and justice aimed to set the Israelites apart and help them live in a way that pleased God.
In the New Testament, things shift slightly with the arrival of Jesus. He speaks about the law in new ways, pointing out that it’s not just about following rules but about what’s in our hearts. Jesus emphasizes love – love for God and love for others – as the greatest commandments. This doesn’t mean the old laws are cast aside, but they are seen in a fuller context. They are steps toward something greater, guiding us toward a life that mirrors the love and grace Jesus teaches.
One of the key ideas in the New Testament is the concept of grace. While the law shows us what is expected, grace provides forgiveness for when we fail. This balance between law and grace is essential. The law helps us see our need for God’s help, and grace offers us a way to receive that help.
In summary, the law in the Bible serves multiple purposes. It provides a moral compass, establishes justice, and shows us how to live in community. It also highlights our imperfections and our need for grace. By studying and reflecting on these laws, we better understand the character of God and how we can align our lives with His will.