A Question Regarding The Ten Commandments
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesA querist asks, “Where do I find the Ten Commandments in The New Testament?”
A list of the commandments can be found in Matthew 19:18-19; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 13:9; cf. Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21, with the conspicuous absence of the Sabbath day command (Exodus 20:8; Leviticus 26:2).
Even though the rich ruler (Luke 18:18-23) recited only five of the ten commandments, he then added this commandment in the latter part of Matthew 19:19:
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.“
This commandment was a summary of the rest of the commandments and was of equal authority with them (Leviticus 19:18; cf. Matthew 22:39; Romans 13:9; Gal. 5:14; James 2:8).
Although Christians are no longer under the law of Moses which contained the ten commandments (Gal. 5:4; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14; cf. Gal. 3:6-14), Paul emphasizes the fact in Romans 13:8-10, that certain principles contained in the law of Moses are eternal.
For example, the eternal principle of love was not nailed to the cross (abolished) with the law of Moses (cf. Matthew 22:37-39 Mark 12:29-31; Luke 10:27; John 14:15; John 15:9-10; 1 John 5:2-3). Paul tells us in Romans 13:10 that if one truly loves his neighbor, he will never intentionally sin against him. He will also have his neighbor’s best interests at heart (Romans 15:2; cf. 1 Corinthians 10:24; 1 Corinthians 10:33; 1 Corinthians 13:5). True biblical love (agape love) never violates the will of God.
All divine law, whether of Moses and the prophets, or of Christ and the apostles, is fulfilled by the eternal principle of love (1 Corinthians 13:13; cf. 1 Corinthians 16:14; Gal. 5:13; Philippians 1:9; Colossians 3:14; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 John 4:7-9; 2 John 1:4-6).
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- Did Christ Abolish the Law of Moses?
- To What Law Were the Ancient Gentiles Accountable?