Study Reformed

19.1. Of the Law of God

God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, as a covenant of works, by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it; and endued him with power and ability to keep it.

Proof texts

Gen. 1:26, 27 with Gen. 2:17
Rom. 2:14, 15 — [14] For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. [15] They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
Rom. 10:5 — [5] For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.
Rom. 5:12, 19 — [12] Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned — [19] For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
Gal. 3:10, 12 — [10] For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” [12] But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”
Eccles. 7:29
Job 28:28 — [28] And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

For discussion

The Assembly cited Gen. 1:26, 27 with Gen. 2:17 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
7 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WCF 19.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WCF 19.1

19.2. Of the Law of God

This law, so written in the heart, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall of man; and was delivered by God upon mount Sinai in ten commandments, and written in two tables; the four first commandments containing our duty towards God, and the other six our duty to man.

Proof texts

James 1:25 — [25] But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
James 2:8, 10, 11, 12 — [8] If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. [10] For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. [11] For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. [12] So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
Rom. 13:8, 9 — [8] Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Deut. 5:32 — [32] You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
Deut. 10:4 — [4] And he wrote on the tablets, in the same writing as before, the Ten Commandments that the LORD had spoken to you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly. And the LORD gave them to me.
Ex. 34:1 — [1] The LORD said to Moses, “Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.
Matt. 22:37, 38, 39, 40 — [37] And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. [38] This is the great and first commandment. [39] And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. [40] On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

For discussion

The Assembly cited James 1:25 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
7 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WCF 19.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
1689 19.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WCF 19.1 · 1689 19.1

19.3. Of the Law of God

Beside this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances; partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings and benefits, and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties. All which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only lawgiver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end, abrogated and taken away.

Proof texts

Heb. 9 chap.
Heb. 10:1 — [1] For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
Gal. 4:1, 2, 3 — [1] I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, [2] but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. [3] In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.
Col. 2:17 — [17] These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
1 Cor. 5:7 — [7] Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
2 Cor. 6:17 — [17] Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
Jude 23 — [23] save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Col. 2:14, 16, 17 — [14] by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. [16] Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. [17] These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
Dan. 9:27 — [27] And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
Eph. 2:15, 16 — [15] by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, [16] and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Heb. 9 chap. in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
10 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WCF 19.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
1689 19.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WCF 19.1 · 1689 19.1

19.4. Of the Law of God

To them also he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the state of that people, not obliging any now by virtue of that institution, their general equity only being still of moral use.

Proof texts

Ex. 21 chap.
Ex. 22:1–29 — [1] “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. [2] If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, [3] but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. [4] If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double. [5] “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man's field, he shall make restitution from the best in his own field and in his own vineyard. [6] “If fire breaks out and catches in thorns so that the stacked grain or the standing grain or the field is consumed, he who started the fire shall make full restitution. [7] “If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man's house, then, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. [8] If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall come near to God to show whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor's property. [9] For every breach of trust, whether it is for an ox, for a donkey, for a sheep, for a cloak, or for any kind of lost thing, of which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before God. The one whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor. [10] “If a man gives to his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any beast to keep safe, and it dies or is injured or is driven away, without anyone seeing it, [11] an oath by the LORD shall be between them both to see whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor's property. The owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution. [12] But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner. [13] If it is torn by beasts, let him bring it as evidence. He shall not make restitution for what has been torn. [14] “If a man borrows anything of his neighbor, and it is injured or dies, the owner not being with it, he shall make full restitution. [15] If the owner was with it, he shall not make restitution; if it was hired, it came for its hiring fee. [16] “If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price for her and make her his wife. [17] If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride-price for virgins. [18] “You shall not permit a sorceress to live. [19] “Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death. [20] “Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction. [21] “You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. [22] You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. [23] If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, [24] and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless. [25] “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. [26] If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, [27] for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. [28] “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. [29] “You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. [30] You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me. [31] “You shall be consecrated to me. Therefore you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.
Gen. 49:10 with 1 Pet. 2:13, 14
Matt. 5:17, with Matt. 5:38, 39
1 Cor. 9:8, 9, 10 — [8] Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? [9] For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? [10] Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Ex. 21 chap. in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WCF 19.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
1689 19.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WCF 19.1 · 1689 19.1

19.5. Of the Law of God

The moral law doth for ever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof; and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator, who gave it: neither doth Christ in the gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.

Proof texts

Rom. 13:8, 9, 10 — [8] Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [10] Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Eph. 6:2 — [2] “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),
1 John 2:3, 4, 7, 8 — [3] And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. [4] Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, [7] Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. [8] At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.
James 2:10, 11 — [10] For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. [11] For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
Matt. 5:17, 18, 19 — [17] “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. [18] For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. [19] Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
James 2:8 — [8] If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
Rom. 3:31 — [31] Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Rom. 13:8, 9, 10 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
7 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WCF 19.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
1689 19.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WCF 19.1 · 1689 19.1

19.6. Of the Law of God

Although true believers be not under the law, as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified or condemned; yet it is of great use to them as well as to others, in that, as a rule of life, informing them of the will of God, and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly; discovering also the sinful pollutions of their nature, hearts and lives; so as examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against sin; together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and the perfection of his obedience. It is likewise of use to the regenerate, to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin; and the threatenings of it serve to show what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them, although freed from the curse thereof threatened in the law. The promises of it in like manner show them God's approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof, although not as due to them by the law, as a covenant of works; so as a man's doing good, and refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the one, and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law, and not under grace.

Proof texts

Rom. 6:14 — [14] For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Gal. 2:16 — [16] yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Gal. 3:13 — [13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us — for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” —
Gal. 4:4, 5 — [4] But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Acts 13:39 — [39] and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
Rom. 8:1 — [1] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Rom. 7:12, 22, 25 — [12] So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. [22] For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, [25] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Ps. 119:4, 5, 6 — [4] You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. [5] Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! [6] Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
1 Cor. 7:19 — [19] For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
Gal. 5:14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 — [14] For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Rom. 7:7 — [7] What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”
Rom. 3:20 — [20] For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
James 1:23, 24, 25 — [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. [24] For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. [25] But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Rom. 7:9, 14, 24 — [9] I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. [14] For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. [24] Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Gal. 3:24 — [24] So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
Rom. 7:24, 25 — [24] Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Rom. 8:3, 4 — [3] For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Jam. 2:11
Ps. 119:101, 104, 128 — [101] I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. [104] Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. [128] Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.
Ezra 9:13, 14 — [13] And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this, [14] shall we break your commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who practice these abominations? Would you not be angry with us until you consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape?
Ps. 89:30, 31, 32, 33, 34 — [30] If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules, [31] if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, [32] then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes, [33] but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness. [34] I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips.
Lev. 26:1–14 with 2 Cor. 6:16
Eph. 6:2, 3 — [2] “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), [3] “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Ps. 37:11 with Matt. 5:5
Ps. 19:11 — [11] Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Gal. 2:16 — [16] yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Luke 17:10 — [10] So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”
Rom. 6:12, 14 — [12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. [14] For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
1 Pet. 3:8, 9, 10, 11, 12, with Ps. 34:12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Heb. 12:28, 29 — [28] Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, [29] for our God is a consuming fire.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Rom. 6:14 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
30 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WCF 19.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
1689 19.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WCF 19.1 · 1689 19.1

19.7. Of the Law of God

Neither are the forementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the gospel, but do sweetly comply with it; the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely and cheerfully, which the will of God revealed in the law required to be done.

Proof texts

Gal. 3:21 — [21] Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.
Ezek. 36:27 — [27] And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Heb. 8:10 with Jer. 31:33

For discussion

The Assembly cited Gal. 3:21 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WCF 19.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
1689 19.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WCF 19.1 · 1689 19.1