• Matthew 5:17-23
    "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
     
  • Matthew 23:23
    "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
     
  • 2 Corinthians 3:6
    who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
     
  • Matthew 23:2-4
    saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe,that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
     
  • Romans 7:12
    Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.
     
  • Galatians 3:24
    Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
     


Related Scriptures

  • Jeremiah 31:33
    But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
     
For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Letter of the Law


Resources

Dead to the Law?

'Ready Answer' by Earl L. Henn

Romans 7:4 says we are 'dead to the law through ... Christ.' What does this mean? The context shows that it refers to the 'old man' that perished at baptism.


The Law's Purpose and Intent

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The effectiveness of a law is found in its purpose and intent rather than the letter. Love and mercy constitute the spiritual fulfillment of the Law.


The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Fifteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Things written in the Old Testament were written for us. The differences in the covenants focus on justification and access to God, not doing away with the law.


The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Nineteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The spirit of the law does not do away with the letter of the law; without the letter, there is no spirit because there is no foundation. Examples show God's will.


Righteousness from Inside-Out

'Ready Answer' by David F. Maas

Many people fail to understand the kind of righteousness God is looking for. God wants it written on our hearts—not just a set of dos and don'ts.


Have the Ten Commandments Passed Away?

'Ready Answer' by Earl L. Henn

Many Protestant denominations teach that God's law is done away, calling it 'the ministry of death.' Butt II Corinthians 3:7 does not support this.


Why We Tithe (Part 2)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God does not want basic compliance, but growth in godliness. Jesus encourages the Pharisees to emulate the generosity of God rather than stinginess.


Striking a Balance

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Both legalism and liberalism can lead to our destruction. God's word implanted in our hearts and minds will promote a perfect balance.



For more resources, please see the library topic for Letter of the Law