Christians often hear conflicting messages about the 10 Commandments—some say they’re still binding, others say they were nailed to the cross. This study examines what the Bible truly teaches about God’s law, grace, and the believer’s responsibility today.
Last updated: February 2026
I'll get right to the point. What does the Bible actually say about the Ten Commandments? These New Testament verses are directed to Christians by Jesus and the Apostles:
"If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
"He that has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me…" (John 14:21)
"We know that we know him, if we keep his commandments…" (1 John 2:3–4)
Christians do not keep the law to earn salvation. We are saved by grace through faith, as taught in Ephesians 2:8 and Galatians 2:15. Most Christians understand that salvation is a gift, not something we earn.
Yet Jesus also teaches that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. So which ones? In Matthew 5, Jesus magnifies several of the Ten Commandments and calls them “these” commandments:
"Whoever breaks one of these least commandments… shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven…" (Matthew 5:19)
Jesus never said the Ten Commandments were unimportant. When asked about eternal life in Luke 18:18–20, He listed several of the Ten Commandments. He did not say they were abolished.
Jesus also taught the two great commandments in Matthew 22:35–39. These summarize the law, but they do not replace the Ten Commandments. The Bible says the law “hangs” on them — not that it disappears.
Jesus added a new commandment in John 13:34: “Love one another as I have loved you.” This adds to the commandments; it does not remove the original ten.
Jesus magnified the commandments by showing that obedience includes both actions and attitudes. For example:
"Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery…" (Matthew 5:27–28)
"Whoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of judgment…" (Matthew 5:21–22)
Jesus did not need to list all Ten Commandments again. He affirmed them earlier in Luke 18 and magnified them in Matthew 5. His examples show that all ten still matter — both literally and spiritually.
Many people prefer a relationship with Jesus that requires no obedience. This is often called “Easy Believism” — the idea that believing in Jesus is enough, without following Him as Lord.
But true faith produces a changed life. Genuine followers of Christ desire to obey God out of love. Keeping His commandments is not legalism — it is love in action.
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." (1 John 5:3)
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No. Salvation is by grace through faith. Obedience is the result of salvation, not the cause.
No. Jesus affirmed them, magnified them, and taught believers to keep them out of love.
No. The Bible says the law “hangs” on them, meaning the Ten Commandments are built on love.
Many misunderstand grace or prefer a faith that requires no obedience. Jesus teaches the opposite.
Studies are prepared by the Gateway to Jesus Ministry Team, a group of seminary trained ministers with more than 20 years of experience in biblical teaching and evangelism.
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