The title "Law Giver" ascribed to Christ underscores His divine authority and role in establishing, fulfilling, and interpreting the law. This title reflects His integral position within the Godhead and His active participation in the divine governance of creation. The concept of Christ as the Law Giver is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, where He is seen as the ultimate source and fulfillment of divine law.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding Christ as the Law Giver. While the term itself is not explicitly used, the anticipation of a divine figure who would embody and fulfill the law is evident. In Deuteronomy 18:18-19, God promises Moses, "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him." This prophecy is understood by Christians to point to Christ, who would come as the ultimate prophet and lawgiver.

Christ's Fulfillment of the Law

In the New Testament, Jesus explicitly affirms His role concerning the law. In the Sermon on the Mount, He declares, "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). Here, Christ positions Himself as the one who brings the law to its intended completion, embodying its principles and purposes.

Authority Over the Law

Christ's authority over the law is further demonstrated in His teachings and actions. He often reinterprets the law, emphasizing its spirit rather than its letter. For instance, in Matthew 5:21-22, He expands the understanding of the commandment against murder to include unjust anger, thus deepening the moral and spiritual implications of the law.

Moreover, in Mark 2:27-28, Jesus asserts His authority over the Sabbath, stating, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" . This declaration highlights His sovereign authority to interpret and apply the law in ways that align with God's ultimate purposes.

Mediator of the New Covenant

As the Law Giver, Christ also mediates the New Covenant, which is characterized by the law being written on the hearts of believers. Hebrews 8:10, quoting Jeremiah 31:33, states, "This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people" . Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Christ inaugurates this new covenant, fulfilling the law's demands and enabling believers to live in accordance with God's will through the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Law Giver

Finally, the title of Law Giver is eschatological, pointing to Christ's eternal reign. In Revelation 19:15, He is depicted as the one who "will rule them with an iron scepter" , signifying His ultimate authority and governance over all creation. As the Law Giver, Christ not only establishes divine law but also ensures its fulfillment and perpetuation throughout eternity.Isaiah 33:22
For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Britain's Mercies, and Britain's Duty
... incurring the censure of giving flattering titles, I believe ... Let the names of Blakeney,
Bland and Rea, and ... reasoner whether the religion of Jesus Christ be not ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/britains mercies and britains duty.htm

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... There is law, and lawyers too, without money.-Christ pleads for ... the dignity God hath
put upon Christ, by offices, places of trust, and titles of honour ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the work of jesus christ.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... here, as I have said, you glorify your errors also, with names and titles that are ...
the design, the great, the only, and ultimate design of Christ, or his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... they are designated by their own names; but when ... God distinguishes his divinity by
certain titles, and thus ... this we shall not suppose that Christ condemned all ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

New Testament History and Prophecy.
... look forward to the second coming of Christ, and set ... ten diadems, and on his heads
names of blasphemy. ... attributes, had been saluted with divine titles, and, in ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter x new testament history.htm

Introduction
... The Churches of Christ,' said St ... Many of the names of Scripture characters, eg Balaam
and Samson ... the Septuagint as against that of the Hebrew; the titles of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/conybeare/a grammar of septuagint greek/introduction.htm

Concerning the Undifferencing and the Differentiation in Divinity ...
... existent, etc., we apply to God, their ultimate Cause, the titles "Good," "Fair ...
[220] ie Christ did not ... [221] e. Let us explain what are the Names which belong ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter ii concerning the undifferencing.htm

Psalm LXXXI.
... called by this name, as Idithun, as Core, as other names that we find in the titles
of the ... And the very Giver of the commandment, the Lord Christ, the Word ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxi.htm

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
... "Regard is had," says he, "to the conscience of the giver, not according to its
actuality, which cannot be ... The Church is a mixed society; this is Christ's law. ...
/.../chapter ii name analysis of.htm

Cli. Letter or Address of Theodoret to the Monks of the ...
... but she is honoured with the highest titles on account ... yet in another place he uses
both names at once saying "Of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cli letter or address of.htm

What are the different names and titles of the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What are the names and titles of the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different names and titles of Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus