Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5375 law  »  5380 law, and gospel

The law, which bears witness to the grace of God, points ahead to its fulfilment and climax in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel does not abolish the law, but fulfils it, by allowing it to be seen in its proper light.

Human beings cannot fulfil the law by their own efforts

Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:15-16 See also Acts 13:39; Romans 4:13-15

The law brings knowledge of human sin and the need for redemption

Romans 3:20; Romans 5:20 See also 1 Timothy 1:9-10; 1 John 3:4

The law points to the coming of Jesus Christ

Galatians 3:24

Believers are not justified by works of the law, but through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ

Romans 3:28; Galatians 3:11 See also Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 4:1-5; Galatians 3:10-14; Ephesians 2:15

The relationship between believers and the law

Dying to the law through Jesus Christ

Galatians 2:19

The law remains valid for believers

Romans 7:11-12; 1 Timothy 1:8; 1 Peter 1:15-16 See also Leviticus 11:44-45; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7; Romans 7:7-11; Romans 13:8-10; James 2:8-11

The Holy Spirit enables believers to fulfil the law through Jesus Christ

Romans 8:3-4 See also Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 11:19-20; Galatians 5:13-18

See also

2324  Christ as Saviour
2420  gospel
4018  life, spiritual
6020  sin
6661  freedom and law
6669  grace & salvation
6676  justification
8158  righteousness of believers
8241  ethics, basis of
8292  love
8311  morality & redemption