Frequently Asked Questions

The following are the most frequently asked questions on the Ten Commandments on the Ten Commandments.org. Most faq's on this web site have currently been on the Ten Commandments or the fourth Commandment, but as we receive frequent questions from the other available web sites, those questions and categories will be added also.FAQ's

Currently available FAQ topics

The Ten Commandments
1. Were the Ten Commandments abolished?
2. Does the word “fulfil” in Matthew 5:17 mean to bring an end to the law?
3. Since we are saved by faith do we have to keep the law?
4. Does being saved by grace mean not having to obey the law?
5. Is it putting yourself under works or legalism to obey the law?
6. Does loving God with all your heart and your neighbour abolish the Ten Commandments?
7. What are the consequences for deliberate sin?
8. Does the New Covenant abolish the Ten Commandments?
9. Can we just obey nine or less of the Commandments?
10. Does Colossians 2:14 say the Ten Commandments were nailed to the cross?
11. Does Galatians chapters 2-4 say the Ten Commandments are gone?
12. Does 2 Corinthians 3:7 teach that the law engraved in stone was to be done away?
13. Was Christ an end to the law?

The Ten Commandments FAQs

1. Were the Ten Commandments abolished?
This is a definite no which can be based entirely on Matthew 5:17-19 alone. When this passage is properly understood, it proves that ALL other passages used to imply that the Ten Commandments have ended are misunderstood or they would severely contradict the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:17-19 as well as the remainder of chapter 5. Jesus of course NEVER contradicts Himself. Note the following points:

  1. According to the following scripture, the Old Testament always informs us through the prophets what changes are coming in the future. Amos 3:7 “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
  2. So what did the Old Testament prophets say Jesus would do? Isaiah 42:21 “The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will MAGNIFY the law, and make it HONOURABLE.”
  3. In Matthew chapter 5, we find the fulfilment of this prophecy. Matthew 5:17-19 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets [Old Testament books of the prophets]: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Parenthesis are added.

This includes ALL Ten Commandments or we have more than a “jot” and a “tittle” passing from the law. This is equivalent to crossing your “T's” and dotting your “I's.” Luke 16:17 also says, “And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.” In the remainder of chapter five one can read how Jesus does magnify the law just as it was prophesied. For example: From “You shall not commit adultery” to “whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.” There is no change to the law but it is magnified as prophesied. Jesus also said that we are not only to obey the Ten Commandment law but places very strong emphasis on the fact that we are to teach it also. You certainly cannot teach a law that has been abolished. Those teaching the Ten Commandments have ended are going against the instructions of our Lord and Saviour and will be called least by those who do enter the kingdom. See misconceptions on Jesus fulfilling the law for comprehensive detail or see FAQ 2.

2. Does the word “fulfil” in Matthew 5:17 mean to bring an end to the law?
The Greek word “fulfil” (Pleroo) used in Matthew 5:17 means to obey the law to the full and to give the law its full meaning. See the NIRV, CEV and Luke's account for the true meaning of fulfil. The Contemporary English Version Bible says it best with, “I did not come to do away with them, but to give them their full meaning.” There is a Greek word “fulfilled” (sunteleo) used in Mark 13:4 that does mean to “end completely,” “to destroy” etc, but this is not the word used in Matthew 5:17. If it were, we would have several MAJOR contradictions in Matthew chapter 5 alone. For example, this is what Jesus would effectively be saying if that was the case, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to DESTROY THE LAW but I have come to DESTROY THE LAW. Now that I have come to fulfil and hence destroy the law, I am telling you that till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall, that is, not the crossing of a “t” or the dotting of an “i” shall in NO wise pass from the law that I am ending. And since fulfilling the law ends and destroys the law, I am telling you that whosoever therefore shall BREAK ONE of these least Commandments shall be referred to as least by those in the kingdom, and since I am abolishing the law, I am telling you that you are now to TEACH THE LAW also that I am abolishing. You have heard before that “THOU SHALL NOT KILL” but now that I am fulfilling and so ending the law, now I say that whosoever is ANGRY with his brother WITHOUT A CAUSE shall be in danger of the judgment and whosoever shall say, YOU FOOL, shall be in danger of HELL FIRE. You have heard that it was said by them of old time, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY” but since fulfilling the law ends the law, now I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has COMMITTED ADULTERY with her already in his heart.” How anyone could come to the conclusion that fulfilling the law ends it after reading chapter five is beyond me.

There are also several other scriptures that use the same Greek word “fulfil” that is used in Matthew 5:17 and if it meant to bring to an end, then our “Joy,” our “Righteousness,” the “Word of God,” our “Obedience” and other things would also be ended. This particular Greek word “fulfil” does not and cannot mean to bring to an end or destroy. See misconceptions on Jesus fulfilling the law for more detail. See also the associated FAQ 1.

3. Since we are saved by faith do we have to keep the law?
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

So when we have faith in the saving grace of Jesus we are by the unmerited grace of God forgiven. So why is it that we are not saved by keeping the law? Because Paul said, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” If we were relying on keeping the law to be saved, then we would be eternally lost because there was only One that kept the law perfectly.

It is no wonder so many get confused with this teaching and Paul is certainly not easy to understand at times. Paul also said in Romans 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” And a few verses later he also says in Romans 3:28, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

After reading these scriptures alone, one could easily conclude that we no longer have to obey the law, or is there more to this that our adversary does not want us to know and that the proponents who would teach against our Lords instructions are not telling us? There is no doubt that we are saved by faith in Jesus and the grace of God but does this make the law null and void?

If we continue reading Romans chapter 3 to its conclusion, we find that Paul does not leave us in the dark and answers this question leaving no uncertainty. Using the NKJV for clarity, Paul says: Romans 3:31 “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.”

Praise God for Paul's clear and unmistakable words in verse 31. Since we are not saved by keeping the law as we would have to keep it perfectly to do this, then who is just before God. Romans 2:13 says, “For NOT the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”

As you can see, we are not saved by keeping the law as we would be hopelessly lost if we were. This is why we are saved by the Grace of God by faith in Jesus' redeeming sacrifice, but Paul makes it quite clear that we do still uphold the law as one would expect and to this there can be no mistake. See also FAQ 4 and FAQ 5.

4. Does being saved by grace mean not having to obey the law?
This has already been explained to some degree in FAQ 3 but let's go into more detail.

First let's define what sin is according to the Bible. 1 John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” Therefore, if there is no Law then there can be no sin, and for further clarity Romans 4:15 says, “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.”

So what did Paul say about sin and grace? Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” And for further clarity using another passage. Romans 6:14-15 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.”

The Bible certainly does say that we are not under the law, but does that imply that we are free from the obligation to obey it? How easily one could prevent confusion if we just accepted exactly what the Bible says. After stating that we are not under the law but under grace, Paul gives his own explanation. He says, “What then?” This simply means, “How are we to understand this?” Then notice his answer. In anticipation that some would misconstrue his words to mean that you can break the law because you are under grace, he says, “Shall we sin (break the Ten Commandments law) because we are not under the law but under grace? God forbid.” In the strongest possible language, Paul states that being under grace does not give a license to break the Ten Commandments. Yet this is exactly what so many believe today despite Paul’s specific warning.

Paul's words are clear and simple in that being under Grace does not mean we can continue to sin which is transgression of the law. In other words, as Paul said in FAQ 3, we still uphold the law and in FAQ 1, Jesus said he did not come to do destroy the law and that we are to not only obey it but teach it also. Scripture remains consistent and continues to line up without contradiction. See also we are not under law but under grace for more detailed information.

5. Is it putting yourself under works or legalism to obey the law?
Some say that obeying the Ten Commandments makes works the basis for entering the kingdom. Not so. This makes love the qualifying factor. Jesus said that the greatest Commandment of all is to love God supremely. Quoting from the second Commandment, Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my Commandments.” John 14:15. Those who practice any known sin are really confessing that they do not love God with all their heart, soul and mind. So it is the lack of love that shuts them out and not the act of disobedience that exposes that lack. Only when love is motivating the obedience does it become acceptable to God. Any other work is man's vain attempt to earn salvation and to deny the efficacy of Christ's atoning sacrifice. Legalism is obeying the law to try and earn entrance into the kingdom and if this is the only motive, then it is in vain. We do not obey the law to be saved. We obey the law because we are saved and out of love for our Lord and Saviour.

Do you as a Christian take the Lord's name in vain? Of course not! The question is, why don't you take the Lord's name in vain? It is for the same reason I don't. Because you love God and would never do that to someone you love. Loving someone can never be called works or legalism. Is it putting yourself under works to love your wife and children? Jesus briefly summed up the Ten Commandment law, as it was first done in the Old Testament, by saying that it is to love God with all you heart, soul and might and love your neighbour as yourself. It is love, not works or legalism.

The fourth Commandment, the Sabbath is also no different. Let me give you a simple example on what the Sabbath is. Imagine if God personally spoke to you and said, “John, I have blessed this Saturday and made the day Holy as I am Holy and I would like you to spend this day with me. If you do this I will sanctify you so you will also be Holy as you keep this appointment with me Holy.” Would you reply to God, “No way! That is legalism.” I hope not! That is effectively what Christians are doing when they say keeping God's Sabbath is works or legalism. In reference to the day being Holy, it is a bit like the situation with Moses where God said “…Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5. When we keep the one and only day that God made Holy, God says it is a SIGN that we are His children and that He is our God, and it is Him that we love and worship and it is Him that sanctifies us and makes us Holy so we can spend Holy time with Him on His Holy day. It is NOT a sign when we profane the Sabbath by keeping a secular day that has not been made Holy by God. In Leviticus 10:1, Nadab and Abihu where asked to bring Holy fire from the altar but instead brought secular fire. Did God care that they brought secular fire instead? Leviticus 10:2 “And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.” Obviously God did care and He feels the same way when we offer Him a secular day. The Sabbath is a SIGN that it is God we love and worship and so it is a love Commandment as are the other nine. Do we really believe that God is some fool that mixes one Commandment that is NOT Love and Eternal in with nine other laws that obviously ARE Love and Eternal? God of course is not a fool and each and everyone of the Ten Commandments ARE Love and Eternal, which Deuteronomy 6:5 also proves because we are told that LOVING God with all your heart, soul and might is to keep ALL the Ten Commandments that had just been read 17 verses earlier.

We obey the law because we love Jesus and we do not want to continue in the very sin that nailed our loving saviour to the cross. The whole plan of redemption through the entire Bible is because Adam and Eve sinned. Jesus came to pay the price for our sin which was death and redeem us from the consequences of sin, not so we could go on living in sin which is breaking the Ten Commandment law. Paul also gives clarity on not continuing in sin even though we are under grace in FAQ 4.

What did Jesus say about us obeying the law when it comes to loving Him?

  1. John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my Commandments.” Jesus is quoting from the Second Commandment (Exodus 20:4-6) in this verse.
  2. John 15:10 “If ye keep my Commandments, ye shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Father's Commandments, and abide in his love.”
  3. 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his Commandments: and his Commandments are not grievous.”

And what do Jesus and John say to those who do not love the Lord enough to keep His Commandments?

What does the Bible say in regards to entering the kingdom and keeping the Commandments?

  1. Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are they that do his Commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
  2. Matthew 19:16-19 “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest you me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if you will enter into life, keep the Commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, You shall do no murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honour your father and your mother: and, You shall love your neighbour as thyself.”
  3. The remnant Church God raises up after the dark ages also keeps the Commandments and Satan hates them because of it. Revelation 12:17 “And the dragon [Satan] was wroth with the woman [Church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the Commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Parenthesis are added.
  4. Those who do NOT get the Mark of the Beast also keep the Ten Commandments. Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the Commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

6. Does loving God with all your heart and your neighbour abolish the Ten Commandments?
In Matthew 22:36-40 we find a lawyer trying to trap Jesus into saying which is the greatest of the Ten Commandments. Jesus of course outsmarts the lawyer by summing up the Ten Commandments in two commandments by quoting the Old Testament.

Matthew 22:36-40 “Master, which is the great Commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto 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 first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang ALL the law and the prophets.”

Note carefully that Jesus said “ALL the law hang on these two Commandments.” Below are the two verses that Jesus quoted from, and the first verse is “right after” the second reading of the Ten Commandments. So did all the law hang on these two Commandments in the Old Testament? There can be absolutely no doubt. Since Deuteronomy 6:5 is right behind the second reading of the Ten Commandments, and loving God with all your heart covers the first four Commandments, this includes the fourth Commandment which no one can argue as the Sabbath Commandment had just been read. Did you get that? The fourth Commandment being the Sabbath IS a Love Commandment because Deuteronomy 6:5 says that LOVING God with all your heart, soul and might is to keep each and everyone of the Ten Commandments that had just been read 17 verses earlier. Love of course is eternal and why ALL Ten Commandments are also eternal.

So what does this all prove? ALL the law which includes the Sabbath hung on these two Commandments in the Old Testament which no one can dispute, and while Jesus quotes from the Old Testament, He still says ALL the law hang on these two Commandments. So what has changed? Absolutely nothing! All Ten Commandments remain totally unchanged just as Jesus promised they would in Matthew 5:17-19.

Paul also shows that these two Commandments are just a means of summing up the law in the following verses. Romans 13:9-10 “For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be any other Commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this SAYING, namely, You shall love your neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

If you love God with all your heart you are obeying the first four Commandments as proven by Deuteronomy 6:5 which is right after the Ten Commandments are given and if you love your neighbour as yourself you will be obeying the last six Commandments. Therefore love is fulfilling the law and if you love God with all your heart and your neighbour as yourself, then you will be obeying all Ten Commandments. See also the great Commandment.

7. What are the consequences for deliberate sin?
This has already been partly answered in some of the above FAQs but let's go into more detail using some more scripture. Here is one of the clearest scriptures of all.

  1. Hebrews 10:26-29 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, THERE REMAINETH NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, … 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
  2. Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”
  3. 1 John 2:4 “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his Commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” Since Jesus and the Word is truth, what does this verse mean exactly?
  4. Galatians 5:21 “Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” There are many such scriptures as this one that can be quoted but I think we get the point.

There is no sacrifice to cover wilful sin and it is to count the blood of the New Covenant as an unholy thing despite being under God's grace. Jesus and the Word is not within you if you do not keep the Commandments, and Jesus also said He will deny knowing anyone that practices lawlessness, that is, deliberate and wilful sin. He also says it does not matter what other good works they may have been doing. We could have being casting out demons in His name and healing people in His name but the response of Jesus will still be the same if we do not love Him enough to obey His Commandments. Some have misunderstood all this as meaning they cannot be forgiven if they have deliberately sinned. This is not so. If you have but then come to true genuine repentance afterwards, you will be forgiven. This is what God's grace is all about, His unmerited, undeserved mercy.

8. Does the New Covenant abolish the Ten Commandments?
As stated earlier in another FAQ, the Old Testament always informs us through the prophets what changes are coming in the future. Note the following scripture. Amos 3:7 “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

So what did the Old Testament say about the New Covenant? Jeremiah 31:33 “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Note that the New Covenant is ONLY made with the “House of Israel.” This is covered in full detail in Sabbath FAQ 15. But in the meanwhile know that the Bible tells us that if we are Christ's then we are Abraham's seed and “children of Israel” or the “House of Israel.” And so here is the fulfilment of Jeremiah 31:33 in regards to the New Covenant.

Hebrews 8:6-10 “But now has he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:”

The Bible tells us that Christ came as the Mediator of a new covenant (verse 6). The belief that the New Covenant abolishes the Ten Commandments reflects a misunderstanding of both covenants. God tells us that He altered the original covenant and made “a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (verse 6). But it was not established on different laws. The law stayed the same. There was however a weakness or fault in the original covenant. That fault was with the people, NOT with the law. “For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:” (verse 8). It was “because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.” (verse 9).

In the Old Covenant God wrote His Ten Commandments on tablets of stone. It was external and not part of the thinking and motives of the people. It was in their literature but NOT in their hearts. In the New Covenant God writes His law “into their minds, and writes them in their hearts.” (verse 10).

To enable people to internalise His law, to love it and obey it eagerly and willingly, God makes this promise, Ezekiel 36:26-27 “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them.” See also the Two Covenants.

9. Can we just obey nine or less of the Commandments?
It is worth taking careful note that the Ten Commandments are never referred to as bondage as there are scriptures that do refer to a law of bondage (Law of Moses) that many confuse with the Ten Commandments. If the Ten Commandments were bondage, then we would have a serious contradiction with the following verses. The Ten Commandments are called the perfect law of liberty. Liberty means “freedom” not bondage.

James 1:25 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

So would God find it acceptable if we obeyed just nine or less of the Commandments?

James 2:10-12 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if you commit no adultery, yet if you kill, you are become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak you, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.”

Every single person will be judged by the mighty moral code of the Ten Commandments. To break just one is to be guilty of sin. The Bible demonstrates that the Ten Commandments are like a chain of ten links. When one link is broken, the whole chain is broken. If a practicing thief should seek entrance into the kingdom, he would be rejected. This is why Paul says thieves will not inherit the heavenly city. Furthermore, the Bible specifically declares that idolaters, adulterers, liars and covetous men will not be in the kingdom. Why? Because the Ten Commandments forbid those things and men will be judged finally by this law. Not one person will be admitted into heaven who is WILFULLY (Hebrews 10:26-29) violating any one of the Ten Commandments because breaking anyone of the Ten Commandments is breaking them all. We find a good example of this in Exodus 16:4-30. Just like today, these non-Jews thought that God did not mean what He said when He said the Seventh day. So how did God respond to them? He accused them of breaking ALL His Commandments and laws.

Some say this makes works the basis for entering the kingdom. Not so. This makes love the qualifying factor. Jesus said that the greatest Commandment of all is to love God supremely. Quoting from the second Commandment, Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my Commandments.” John 14:15. Those who practice any known sin are really confessing that they do not love God with all their heart, soul and mind. So it is the lack of love that shuts them out and not the act of disobedience that exposes that lack. Only when love is motivating the obedience does it become acceptable to God. Any other work is man's vain attempt to earn salvation and to deny the efficacy of Christ's atoning sacrifice.

Some have also said that since we are law breakers if we break even one Commandment, then it is too hard and therefore we should not even try. This is a sad view indeed. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” and 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” However, this is obviously not what this passage is saying. The Bible is clear. James is saying that we are expected to obey ALL Ten Commandments and not just the ones we decide we want to obey and that the Commandments are the perfect law of freedom that we will be judged by. We obey them not to be saved but because we are saved and love God with all our heart, soul and might. When we fail in the flesh, we genuinely repent, and we are forgiven and our slate is wiped clean by faith in Christ and by the Grace of God.

10. Does Colossians 2:14 say the Ten Commandments were nailed to the cross?
How some people can teach that the ordinances and the Ten Commandments are the same thing is a bit beyond me. The only relationship between the two laws is the Ten Commandment law defines sin, as sin is the transgression of the Law (1 John 3:4). The “ordinances” or the “Law of Moses” and the many other names it is referred to in the Bible defined sacrifices, which was the remedy for sin. The Old and New Testaments are very clear on what the ordinances and this worldly sacrificial sanctuary system was and its purpose. The KJV Bible should be used to study this topic as it is has the most accurate translation of this passage. Observe the following points.

  1. The Ten Commandments and the ordinances are two separate things shown by the following scripture. Luke 1:6 “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the Commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.”
  2. The following scripture also shows that the ordinances were part of the sacrificial sanctuary service and not the Ten Commandments by telling us that the first covenant had also the ordinances as well as the Ten Commandments but with the new covenant the ordinances are gone leaving just the Ten Commandments. Hebrews 9:1-2 “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary.”
  3. Paul uses the word ordinances in verse 14, which does consist of “meat offerings”, “drink offerings”, “new moon” festivals, “holydays” and various ceremonial “sabbaths” or “sabbath days” that are described in verse 16 and were all part of the Mosaic Law that pointed forward to the work Jesus did on the cross and hence ended at the cross as Paul says in verse 14. As you have just previously seen, these ordinances were part of the worldly sacrificial sanctuary system which involved sin offerings, which of course were no longer necessary after Jesus became the true Lamb of God.
  4. Ezekiel 45:17 is the perfect parallel of Colossians 2:14-16 and is probably what Paul is quoting. Read Ezekiel 45 if you want to get the full context but once again, use the King James as many modern translations mistranslate these passages or translate them in such a way that they are unclear.

Note that “feasts” and “holydays” are synonymous making the following two verses a perfect match and giving real clarity to Colossians 2:14-16. Strong's dictionary says, “G1859 heh-or-tay' a festival: - feast, holyday.”

Ezekiel 45:17 “And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts [holyday], and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.”

Now that we know that the “ordinances” are part of “Mosaic Law” which is sometimes called the “ceremonial law” and hence the Ten Commandments and the ordinances are NOT the same thing, now compare Ezekiel 45:17 with the following passage in contention.

Colossians 2:14-16 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; [sin] … 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink [offerings], or in respect of an holyday [feast], or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:” Parenthesis are added.

Read the following page comparing the ceremonial law with the Ten Commandments for much more detailed information. To see that the KJV Bible has translated this passage extremely well and the phrase “sabbath days” is definitely plural which also verifies that these are ceremonial sabbaths, see the following web site on Colossians 2:16. See also the Sabbath FAQ 18 and Adam Clarke and Albert Barnes Commentaries.

11. Does Galatians chapters 2-4 say the Ten Commandments are gone?
Many Christians interpret parts of Galatians as meaning an end to the Ten Commandments and Galatians 4:9-10 as an end to fourth Commandment, the Sabbath. See Sabbath FAQ 19. The Galatians had wandered from the truth that Paul had first taught them in favour of listening to some judaizing teachers from Jerusalem who insisted that they should still be observing all the rites of the Jewish religion such as the ceremonial law and circumcision etc. These teachers taught that Paul was inferior to the other Apostles where they had come from and insisted that the Law of Moses was still binding and was necessary for justification. For detailed information please read Galatians and the law. It is also worth reading the comparison of the ceremonial law and the Ten Commandments for a better understanding of what Paul was dealing with here.

12. Does 2 Corinthians 3:7 teach that the law engraved in stone was to be done away?
This is one of those gray passages that is grossly misunderstood and abused by the proponents that would teach that the Ten Commandments are no longer binding against the clear instructions of Jesus who said we are not only to obey the law but teach it also. (Matthew 5:17-19) Here is the passage in contention from the KJV Bible.

2 Corinthians 3:3-9 “Forasmuch as you are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.”

The ministration of death [the Ten Commandments points out sin; Romans 7:7, and sin points to death; Romans 6:23] on stone was Glorious and was NOT to be done away. It was the glory on the face of Moses that was done away. The King James Version is a little unclear in its translation on this point. Observe just a few of many translations below that are clearer.

(AMP) “Now if the dispensation of death engraved in letters on stone [the ministration of the Law], was inaugurated with such glory and splendor that the Israelites were not able to look steadily at the face of Moses because of its brilliance, [a glory] that was to fade and pass away.”
(ASV) “But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away.”
(NASB) “But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was.”
(NIV) “Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was.”
(RSV) “Now if the dispensation of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such splendor that the Israelites could not look at Moses' face because of its brightness, fading as this was.”

Moses was the minister of the Old Covenant. He gave the people God's instructions on how to keep the Ten Commandments law [detailed requirements on what to do] and what to do when it was broken [Priests and Sacrifices]. This glorious system of ministration was done away with, not the Ten Commandments. Christ ministers the New Covenant. He gives people the Spirit who gives people instructions on how to keep the law [think it, not just do it] and what to do if it is broken [genuinely repent and trust in Christ to cover sin]. Under the New Covenant the law is written in our hearts.

Hebrews 8:10 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:”

To enable people to internalise His law, to love it and obey it eagerly and willingly, God made this promise. See also 2 Corinthians 3:3 in the above passage in contention.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them.”

The subject is not the doing away with the law or its establishment, but rather, the change of the location of the law from “tables of stone” to the “tables of the heart.” Under Moses' ministration the law was on stones. Under the Holy Spirit's ministration, through Christ, the law is written upon the heart. Christ's ministration of the law is effective because He transfers the law to the heart of the Christian. Then keeping the law becomes a delight and a joyful way of living because the Christian has true love for both God and man.

When you have several Black & White scriptures and one Gray scripture, one should never base their theology on the Gray scripture if it contradicts the Black & White scriptures. If your interpretation of the Gray scripture contradicts the Black & White scriptures, then clearly you have misinterpreted the Gray scripture. Here are just a few of many Black & White scriptures that could be quoted that show some have indeed misunderstood this Gray scripture.

Matthew 5:17-19 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Romans 7:7 “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. No, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, You shall not covet.”
Romans 3:31 “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yes, we establish the law.”
Romans 2:13 “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”
Romans 13:9 “For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be any other Commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbour as thyself.”
1 John 5:2-3 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his Commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his Commandments: and his Commandments are not grievous.”
Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are they that do his Commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”

See also the Ten Commandments FAQ 1, FAQ 2 and FAQ 8.

13. Was Christ an end to the law?
Christ was an end to A law, but which law? Obviously not the Moral law or once again we would have multiple contradictions of scripture. Some Christians explain this verse away as if it were referring to the Ten Commandments, but is it? Observe closely the passage in contention.

Romans 10:1-5 “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.”

Paul's prayer is for the salvation of Israel who for hundreds of years had been observing the “Law of Moses” which is also called the “Mosaic Law” and the “Book of the law” as it contains the law that Moses wrote in a book. (the Ten Commandments were written buy God in stone with His finger) Take careful note that the “Book of the Law” is also called the “Ordinances” and is often referred to as the “Ceremonial Law.” This law had various “meat and drink offerings”, “New Moon festivals” and various “Holy feast days” such as “Passover,” which were all nailed to the cross. See Colossians 2:14-16 below for more details. Note that Passover also had a temporary ceremonial sabbath attached to it (as Passover was temporary) as many of the feast days did. (seven ceremonial sabbaths in total) This ceremonial law is easy to identify in scripture as it talks about circumcision (a religious Jewish rite), sacrifices, offerings, purifications, holy days, and other rites associated with the Hebrew sanctuary service.

Our righteousness is by faith in Christ and Paul says in verse 3 that they are ignorant of this fact, which means they were trying to earn their salvation by keeping the law, but again which law?

Observe the following points as we establish which law:

  1. Many Jews had problems in understanding the Gospel message and continued to keep the Law of Moses not understanding that Christ nailed this law to the cross and redeemed us from the curse of the Mosaic Law.
  2. In Romans 14, Jewish Christians were judging Gentile Christians for not observing the Law of Moses and Paul was basically saying to them, “Don't judge each other. The ceremonial law is no longer binding.” Romans 14:4-5 “Who are you that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yes, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”
  3. In Galatians 2, Paul also had to deal with the Galatians who were also trying to earn their salvation by keeping what was written in the Book of the Law. Paul continues in Galatians 3, where he says that they were still observing what was written in the Book of the Law. Galatians 3:10 “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them.” In Galatians 4, Paul rebukes them for keeping themselves in bondage by still observing the various feast days and the monthly new moon festivals and the yearly ceremonial sabbaths etc. Galatians 4:9-10 “But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days, and months, and times, and years.” And in Galatians 5, Paul also rebuked them from what he called a yoke of bondage in circumcision which is now that of the heart. Romans 2:28-29.
  4. In Colossians 2:14-16, Paul also had to correct the Colossians as they were also still observing what was written in the Book of the Law (ordinances.) Colossians 2:14-16 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; … 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink [offerings], or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:”
  5. It is clear from scripture that this was an ongoing problem that Paul had to constantly deal with. Paul had to explain that all the various ceremonial holy days and new moon festivals such as Passover all pointed forward to the work of Jesus on the cross. Example, Jesus was our true Passover Lamb and so Passover was nailed to the cross, literally.

So back to the question of which law is Paul referring to. We find the answer in verse 5. The reference Paul makes in this verse takes us back to Leviticus 18:4-5, which all Commentaries I studied agreed also. Compare verse 5, given again below with Leviticus 18:4-5. Note that it is the “ordinances” that are being referred to here just as in Colossians 2:14, where Paul tells us that these ordinances were nailed to the cross and so Christ was an end to this temporary sacrificial law.

Leviticus 18:4-5 “You shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. 5 You shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.”
Romans 10:4-5 “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.”
Galatians 3:10-12 “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.”
Colossians 2:14-16 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances [Book of the Law] that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; … 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink [offerings], or in respect of an holyday [feast day], or of the new moon, or of the [ceremonial] sabbath days:” Parenthesis are added.

So which law was nailed to the cross that Christ brought to an end? Compare again all the passages above taking special note of the bolded areas.

According to Paul, if a man tries to earn his righteousness by the works of the Mosaic Law, then he lives under the curse of the Mosaic Law that Christ redeemed us from, and the man that doeth them shall live in them, that is, everything that is written in the “Book of the Law.” See also Galatians and the law and the Ten Commandments FAQ 3, FAQ 10 and FAQ 11. Christ was an end to the sacrificial law, the “Law of Moses” also called the “Book of the Law” and the “Ordinances” etc, not the Ten Commandments. See also Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible.

This section on the FAQs for the Ten Commandments can be best finalised with one scripture.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his Commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

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