Are the Ten Commandments still binding today?

The Ten Commandments, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, are some of the most well-known and significant laws in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. They serve as the foundation of moral and ethical conduct for believers, both in the Old Testament and for Christians today. However, there is ongoing debate among Christians as to whether the Ten Commandments are still binding in the New Testament era, particularly since Jesus Christ came and established the New Covenant. The question arises: Are the Ten Commandments still applicable for Christians today?

In this discussion, we will explore why the Ten Commandments are indeed still binding on Christians, examining their relevance both in the Old and New Testaments, while making use of Scripture to establish their continued validity.

The Importance of the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament

The Ten Commandments are first recorded in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. In the Old Testament, they were given to the Israelites as part of the Mosaic Covenant, a covenant between God and the people of Israel. These laws were central to the Israelites’ moral conduct and their relationship with God and with one another.

The commandments begin with the acknowledgment of God as the sole source of Israel’s redemption and freedom. God, who delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, establishes His authority over them. In Exodus 20:1-2, it says:

“And God spoke all these words, saying: ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.’” (Exodus 20:1-2, NKJV)

This introductory statement establishes the basis for the commandments: God, having delivered His people from slavery, demands obedience to these moral and ceremonial laws.

The Ten Commandments are divided into two categories: duties to God and duties to fellow humans. The first four commandments deal with the relationship between humanity and God (e.g., no other gods, no idols, honoring God’s name, and keeping the Sabbath). The remaining six commandments focus on human relationships (e.g., honoring parents, not committing murder, not committing adultery, not stealing, not bearing false witness, and not coveting).

These commandments were intended not only to regulate Israel’s behavior but also to set them apart from the nations around them. They were a reflection of God’s holy character and served as a standard for moral purity. God Himself made it clear that these commandments were to be followed and were not optional:

“So you shall observe My statutes and keep My judgments, and perform them; and you will dwell in the land in safety.” (Leviticus 25:18, NKJV)

God’s people were expected to live according to these commandments, and breaking them resulted in judgment. These laws were central to the moral order of Israel and formed a covenant between God and His people.

Jesus and the Ten Commandments

When Jesus came to earth, He did not do away with the Ten Commandments. Rather, He affirmed their importance and deepened their meaning. Jesus emphasized that the law was not just about outward actions but also about the heart and motives. In Matthew 5:17-19, He said:

“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.” (Matthew 5:17-18, NKJV)

Jesus clearly states that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. He brought the law to its intended purpose by demonstrating the depth of its requirements. While the law could not save, it was the fruit of faith in the life of the believer (Romans 3:31).

Furthermore, Jesus reaffirmed the moral teachings of the commandments in His own teaching. When asked about the greatest commandment, He summarized the Ten commandments by love for God and love for others:

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.'” (Matthew 22:37-40, NKJV)

Here, Jesus did not discard the commandments; instead, He summarized them in terms of love, which is the very essence of the law.

The New Covenant and the Ten Commandments

The question of whether the Ten Commandments are still binding on Christians today must be considered in light of the New Covenant. Jesus’ death and resurrection inaugurated a New Covenant, a covenant of grace through faith, which empowered the believer to keep God’s moral law by the Holy Spirit. This is addressed in Hebrews 8:7-13, which refers to the prophecy of a New Covenant found in Jeremiah 31:31-34.

The New Covenant promised a new relationship between God and His people, one in which God’s laws would be written on their hearts, not merely on tablets of stone:

“This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” (Jeremiah 31:33, NKJV)

This was a fulfillment of the law through the work of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to live righteously. Even in this New Covenant, however, the moral law is still essential.

While the ceremonial laws, such as sacrifices, and the civil laws specific to Israel’s theocratic government are no longer binding (since they were fulfilled in Christ), the moral law, embodied in the Ten Commandments, still holds great significance. In fact, Jesus and His apostles continually emphasized the importance of the moral commands contained in the Ten Commandments.

The Apostles and the Ten Commandments

The apostles, particularly Paul, continued to teach the importance of God’s moral law. In Romans 13:8-10, Paul connects the commandments directly to the law of love:

“Owe no one anything except to love one another; for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:8-10, NKJV)

Here, Paul highlights that love for others fulfills the moral commandments, further demonstrating that these laws are still applicable for Christians today.

Additionally, in 1 Timothy 1:8-10, Paul refers to the moral law as essential for regulating human behavior:

“But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers…” (1 Timothy 1:8-9, NKJV)

Paul affirms that the moral law serves as a standard for righteous living, even for Christians under the New Covenant.

The Ten Commandments and the Christian’s Life Today

As believers in Christ, we are no longer under the law as a means of salvation, but we are still called to live in accordance with the moral principles contained in the Ten Commandments. These commandments reflect the holy and righteous character of God, and as followers of Christ, we are to pursue holiness and righteousness.

Jesus emphasized that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). The commandments are not burdensome but are given to us for our good, as they protect our relationships with God and others. They continue to serve as a moral compass for Christians today, guiding us in how to live in a way that honors God and blesses others.

The Ten Commandments are not just a set of rules; they are principles that reflect God’s character and His desire for His people to live in peace, love, and justice. As believers, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live out these commandments, not as a means to earn salvation but as a response to the love and grace that God has shown us.

Conclusion

The Ten Commandments are still binding today, not as a way to earn salvation, but as a guide for righteous living. Jesus affirmed the importance of the commandments, deepened their meaning, and revealed that they are rooted in love-love for God and love for others. The New Covenant, while introducing grace and freedom, did not abolish the moral law. Rather, it empowered believers to live out these laws with the help of the Holy Spirit.

The Ten Commandments continue to be relevant and are an essential part of the Christian life. They are not burdensome but are a reflection of God’s perfect will for His people. As believers, we are called to live according to these commandments, demonstrating God’s holiness and love to the world. Therefore, the Ten Commandments remain a timeless standard of moral and ethical conduct for Christians today. “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty” (James 2:12, NKJV).