Law
Law [EBD]
a rule of action. (1.) The Law of Nature is the will of God as to human conduct, founded on the moral difference of things, and discoverable by natural light (Rom. 1:20; 2:14, 15). This law binds all men at all times. It is generally designated by the term conscience, or the capacity of being influenced by the moral relations of things.
(2.) The Ceremonial Law prescribes under the Old Testament the rites and ceremonies of worship. This law was obligatory only till Christ, of whom these rites were typical, had finished his work (Heb. 7:9, 11; 10:1; Eph. 2:16). It was fulfilled rather than abrogated by the gospel.
(3.) The Judicial Law, the law which directed the civil policy of the Hebrew nation.
(4.) The Moral Law is the revealed will of God as to human conduct, binding on all men to the end of time. It was promulgated at Sinai. It is perfect (Ps. 19:7), perpetual (Matt. 5:17, 18), holy (Rom. 7:12), good, spiritual (14), and exceeding broad (Ps. 119:96). Although binding on all, we are not under it as a covenant of works (Gal. 3:17). (See COMMANDMENTS.)
(5.) Positive Laws are precepts founded only on the will of God. They are right because God commands them.
(6.) Moral positive laws are commanded by God because they are right.
Law [NAVE]
LAW.Psa. 19:7-9; Psa. 119:1-8; Prov. 28:4, 5; Matt. 22:21 Luke 20:22-25. Luke 16:17; Rom. 2:14, 15; Rom. 7:7, 12, 14; Rom. 13:10; 1 Tim. 1:5, 8-10; Jas. 1:25; 1 John 3:4; 1 John 5:3 See: Litigation; Commandments; Duty to God.
Of Moses
Contained in the books, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Given at Sinai, Ex. 19; Deut. 1:1; 4:10-13, 44-46; 33:2; Hab. 3:3.
Received by the disposition of angels, Deut. 33:2; Psa. 68:17; Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2.
Was given because of transgressions until the Messiah come, Gal. 3:19.
Engraved on stone, Ex. 20:3-17, with Ex. 24:12; 31:18; 32:16; 34:29; 40:20; Deut. 4:13; 5:4-22; 9:10.
See: Tables; Commandments.
Preserved in the Ark of the Covenant, Ex. 25:16; Deut. 31:9, 26.
Found by Hilkiah in the house of the Lord, 2 Kin. 22:8.
Engraved upon monuments, Deut. 27:2-8; Josh. 8:30-35.
To be written on door posts, Deut. 6:9; 11:20; on frontlets for the forehead, and parchment for the hand, Ex. 13:9, 16; Deut. 6:4-9; 11:18-21.
Children instructed in. See: Children; Instruction.
Expounded by the priests and Levites, Lev. 10:11; Deut. 33:10; 2 Chr. 35:3; princes, priests, and Levites publicly taught, Ezra 7:10; Neh. 8:1-18; from city to city, 2 Chr. 17:7-10; in synagogues, Luke 4:16-32; Acts 13:14-52; 15:21, with Acts 9:20; 14:1; 17:1-3; 18:4, 26.
Expounded to the assembled nation at the feast of tabernacles in the sabbatic year, Deut. 31:10-13.
Renewed by Moses, 4:44-46
Curses of, responsively read by Levites and people at Ebal and Gerizim, Deut. 27:12-26; Josh. 8:33-35.
Formed a constitution on which the civil government of the Israelites was founded, and according to which rulers were required to rule, Deut. 17:18-20; 2 Kin. 11:12; 2 Chr. 23:11.
See: Government, Constitutional.
Divine authority for, Ex. 19:16-24; 20:1-17; 24:12-18; 31:18; 32:15, 16; 34:1-4, 27, 28; Lev. 26:46; Deut. 4:10-13, 36; 5:1-22; 9:10; 10:1-5; 33:2-4; 1 Kin. 8:9; Ezra 7:6; Neh. 1:7; 8:1; 9:14; Psa. 78:5; 103:7; Isa. 33:22; Mal. 4:4; Acts 7:38, 53; Gal. 3:19; Heb. 9:18-21.
Prophecies in, of the Messiah, Luke 24:44; John 1:45; 5:46; 12:34; Acts 26:22, 23; 28:23; Rom. 3:21, 22.
See: Jesus, Prophecies Concerning.
Epitomized by Jesus, Matt. 22:40; Mark 12:29-33; Luke 10:27.
Book of found by Hilkiah in the temple, 2 Kin. 22:8; 2 Chr. 34:14.
Temporary
Jer. 3:16; Dan. 9:27; Matt. 5:17-45; Luke 16:16, 17; John 1:17; John 4:20-24; John 8:35 with Gal. 4:30, 31, below.Acts 6:14; Acts 10:28; Acts 13:39; Acts 15:1-29; Acts 21:20-25; Rom. 3:1, 2; Rom. 7:1-6; Rom. 8:3; Rom. 10:4; 2 Cor. 3:7-14; Gal. 2:3-9; Gal. 4:30, 31; Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14-23; Heb. 8:4-13; Heb. 9:8-24; Heb. 10:1-18; Heb. 11:40; Heb. 12:18, 19, 27
LAW [SMITH]
The word is properly used, in Scripture as elsewhere, to express a definite commandment laid down by any recognized authority; but when the word is used with the article, and without any words of limitation, it refers to the expressed will to God, and in nine cases out of ten to the Mosaic law, or to the Pentateuch of which it forms the chief portion. The Hebrew word torah (law) lays more stress on its moral authority, as teaching the truth and guiding in the right way; the Greek nomos (law), on its constraining power as imposed and enforced by a recognized authority. The sense of the word, however, extends its scope and assumes a more abstracts character in the writings of St. Paul. Nomos , when used by him with the article, still refers in general to the law of Moses; but when used without the article, so as to embrace any manifestation of "law," it includes all powers which act on the will of man by compulsion, or by the pressure of external motives, whether their commands be or be not expressed in definite forms. The occasional use of the word "law" (as in (Romans 3:27) "law of faith") to denote an internal principle of action does not really mitigate against the general rule. It should also be noticed that the title "the Law" is occasionally used loosely to refer to the whole of the Old Testament, as in (John 10:34) referring to (Psalms 82:6) in (John 15:25) referring to (Psalms 35:19) and in (1 Corinthians 14:21) referring to (Isaiah 28:11,12)Also see definition of "Law" in Word Study