“The Law” in the Scriptures

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 17, 1908

“The Law” in the Scriptures

IN the study of the law question we are more than likely to fall into confusion unless we carefully observe the different meanings of the word law, as used in the Scriptures. The recognition of such differences of meaning is fundamental to any intelligent consideration of this subject.

There are at least five different uses of the word law in the Scriptures, and oftentimes the true meaning can be determined only by a study of the context.

1. The word law may be used to designate that portion of the Bible more commonly called the Pentateuch, or the five books of Moses. The following are some of the instances: Philip said to Nathanael, “We have found him, of whom

Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote.” John 1:45. In reply to the lawyer’s question, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said, “What is written in the law? how readest thou?” Luke 10:26. In his reply the lawyer quoted from the books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus, which shows that he understood Jesus to refer to what we call the Pentateuch. Again: after his resurrection Jesus said to his disciples, “All things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the Psalms, concerning me.” Luke 24:44. This was the usual threefold division of the Scriptures generally employed at that time.

2. The word law is employed in referring to the ten commandments of the decalogue. Thus we read: “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” Rom. 7:7. This quotation of a portion of the tenth commandment shows that the law to which the reference is here made, which gives knowledge of sin, must be the commandments spoken from Sinai. In harmony with this, we also read: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. The word is also used with the same significance in the following scripture: “Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” James 2:10, 11. By quoting the sixth and seventh commandments, the writer of this portion of Scripture makes it evident that “the whole law” is that which comprehends the ten commandments.

3. The word law is also used in the sense of teaching, or doctrine. An example of this is found in Ps. 19:7: “The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul.”

4. The word law is often used to designate the ritual service or the established forms of worship. There are many examples of this, a few of which must suffice. Those false witnesses who testified against Stephen in the council, made this charge: “This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place [the temple], and the law: for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.” Acts 6:13, 14. By “the law” they evidently referred to the law of ceremonies. Again, the elders at Jerusalem said to Paul, “Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law: and they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.” Acts 21:20, 21. “The law” here is evidently the ritual law. In the epistle to the Hebrews there is repeated reference to the established ceremonies by the term law. Of Jesus it is said, “Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law.” Heb. 8:4. Again, it is written, “And according to the law, I may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood.” Heb. 9:22. The reader will easily find other instances in this same epistle.

5. As in writings at the present day, so also in the Scriptures the word law sometimes has the force of principle, or method of operation. Thus the apostle Paul writes: “I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present. . . . I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.” Rom. 7:21-23. The different laws here mentioned are evidently those methods of working which from constant repetition have become so established as to be designated as laws. In the same way we speak of the laws of nature when we mean the usual methods exhibited in various phenomena. So again in the same epistle the apostle Paul speaks of the law of works and the law of faith, in referring to the method by which boasting is excluded.

A clear comprehension of the facts stated in this article will clear up some of the difficulties which have perplexed many readers of the Scriptures in their effort to understand the proper relation between the law and the gospel.