The Bible uses several different words to refer to God’s instructions and guidelines for how His people should live. While these words overlap in meaning, they each provide a unique perspective on God’s laws and communicate important theological truths.
Laws
The most common word used is “law” (Hebrew torah, Greek nomos). This refers to God’s overall instructions, precepts and commandments. The law embodies God’s righteous standards and reveals His perfect holiness (Psalm 19:7-9). The essence of the law is love – loving God with all your heart, and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40).
The law acts as a guardian and guide, protecting and leading God’s people in His ways (Galatians 3:24-25). It also makes people conscious of sin and the need for a Savior (Romans 3:20). But the law cannot save in itself – only Christ can save (Galatians 2:16). Through faith in Christ, His followers are freed from condemnation of the law (Romans 8:1-4).
Commands
A command (Hebrew mitzvah, Greek entole) refers to an authoritative order or directive from God. The Ten Commandments are the epitome of God’s commands (Exodus 20:1-17). Jesus summed all God’s commands into two great commandments – to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40).
Obedience to God’s commands should flow from love and gratitude, not mere legalistic duty (Deuteronomy 6:4-6, John 14:15). God’s commands are for our good – they lead to life, blessings and freedom when obeyed (Psalm 119:45; Ezekiel 20:11; 1 John 5:3). Yet we are utterly dependent on God’s grace to walk in His commands.
Commandments
Commandments (Hebrew mitzvah, Greek entole) are authoritative orders from God. This word overlaps in meaning with “commands.” The Ten Commandments stand out as the epitome of God’s moral law and standard of conduct (Exodus 20:1-17). Jesus summarized the commandments into two great commandments – to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40).
The New Testament uses “commandment” especially in reference to the new command Jesus gave His disciples – to “love one another” as He loved them (John 13:34-35; 15:12,17; 1 John 2:7-8). This “new commandment” embodied the heart of Jesus’ ethical teaching (Matthew 5-7).
God’s commandments reveal His holy character. They are given out of love, for our good. Through faith in Christ, His followers delight in His commandments (Psalm 112:1) and walk in His love (2 John 1:6).
Decrees
Decrees (Hebrew choq, Greek dogma) refer to God’s authoritative orders and decisions. They can be general principles or specific injunctions that God has issued. God’s decrees encompass all of His righteous laws, statutes and precepts.
The psalmists praise God for His decrees which are faithful, trustworthy and altogether righteous (Psalm 119:4, 22, 86, 160). God’s decrees reflect His unchanging holy character. He decrees and establishes His Word forever (Psalm 119:89-91).
While God’s decrees are fixed and unchanging, the application of specific decrees can vary in different historical contexts. This allows for diversity in how God’s people live out His righteous principles in differing cultures and settings.
Statutes
Statutes (Hebrew choq, Greek dikaiōma) refers to prescribed rules of conduct that God has formally enacted as binding laws. They define what God requires and forbid. Statutes often deal with practical matters such as religious rituals, civil laws, or standards of morality.
God’s statutes are always right, though some were specifically intended for Israel under the Mosaic Law (e.g. food laws, purification rites). The moral statutes reflect God’s unchanging righteous standards (Exodus 21-23; Leviticus 18-20). God promised blessings when Israel obeyed His statutes, and curses if they disobeyed (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-28).
For Christians, statutes relating to religious rituals do not apply, but the moral statutes remain valid as expressions of God’s holy nature. Jesus and the apostles affirmed the ongoing authority of the moral law (Matthew 5:17-19; Romans 13:8-10). Through the Spirit, Christians internally fulfill God’s statutes by loving others (Romans 13:10).
Summary of Key Differences
– Laws focus on God’s overall instructions and precepts; commands and commandments refer to specific authoritative orders from God.
– Decrees emphasize the fixed and unchanging nature of God’s decisions; statutes stress the enactment of binding rules for conduct.
– While the terms overlap in meaning, each provides a nuanced perspective on God’s authoritative words and ways.
– Together they paint a beautiful picture of God’s loving instructions which are holy, righteous, trustworthy and good – designed for human flourishing when obeyed.
– Through Christ, God’s people are set free from condemnation of the law. By the Spirit they are empowered to walk in God’s precepts and commands out of love.
In summary, the rich vocabulary used to describe God’s Word highlights its authority, wisdom, relevance and benefit for all who follow it. God has provided everything we need through His laws, commands, commandments, decrees and statutes for life, godliness and hope.
For Christians, Jesus Christ is the fulfillment and embodiment of God’s perfect law (Matthew 5:17). Through His Spirit at work in us, we can walk in the righteousness, freedom and love that God desires.
Laws
The word “law” in the Bible refers to God’s instructions, precepts and commandments overall. Some key things the Bible teaches about God’s law:
- God’s law reflects His righteous character and holy standards (Psalm 19:7-9)
- The essence of the law is love for God and others (Matthew 22:37-40)
- The law acts as a guardian and guide, leading people in God’s ways (Galatians 3:24-25)
- The law makes people aware of sin and the need for salvation (Romans 3:20)
- No one is saved by the law, only through faith in Christ (Galatians 2:16)
- In Christ, believers are set free from condemnation of the law (Romans 8:1-4)
Some key Bible verses on God’s law:
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7)
“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
“So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.” (Galatians 3:24-25)
Commands
God’s commands in the Bible refer to His authoritative orders and instructions. Key teachings on God’s commands include:
- The Ten Commandments epitomize God’s commands (Exodus 20:1-17)
- Jesus summed commands into two: love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40)
- Obedience should flow from love, not legalism (Deuteronomy 6:4-6)
- God’s commands are for our good and freedom (Psalm 119:45, Ezekiel 20:11)
- We depend on God’s grace to walk in His commands (John 15:5)
Some key Bible verses on God’s commands:
“Oh that you would keep my commandments always in your heart, that you might walk blamelessly!” (Psalm 119:5)
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)
Commandments
Commandments in the Bible also refer to God’s authoritative orders.
Some key things on commandments:
- The Ten Commandments are the epitome of God’s moral law (Exodus 20:1-17)
- Jesus summed them into two great commandments (Matthew 22:37-40)
- The new commandment is to “love one another” as Jesus loved (John 13:34-35)
- God’s commandments reveal His holy and loving nature
- Through faith in Christ we delight in God’s commandments (Psalm 112:1)
Some key Bible verses on commandments:
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
“And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us.” (1 John 3:23)
Decrees
Decrees in the Bible refer to God’s authoritative decisions and orders. Key truths about God’s decrees:
- They encompass all of God’s righteous laws and precepts
- God’s decrees reflect His unchanging holy character (Psalm 119:160)
- He decrees and establishes His Word forever (Psalm 119:89-91)
- The application of decrees varies across contexts and cultures
Some key Bible verses on God’s decrees:
“The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous…Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true.” (Psalm 119:160,142)
“Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens… it stands firm in the heavens.” (Psalm 119:89-91)
“For all his decrees are just; he can be trusted to keep his word.” (Psalm 105:5)
Statutes
Statutes refer to binding laws and rules of conduct God has enacted. Key insights on God’s statutes:
- They define what God requires and forbids
- Some statutes were intended just for Israel (food laws)
- The moral statutes reflect God’s righteous standards
- Blessings followed obeying statutes; curses followed disobedience (Leviticus 26)
- Moral statutes remain valid expressions of God’s nature
Some key Bible verses on God’s statutes:
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.” (Psalm 119:103-104)
“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart.” (Psalm 119:1-2)
“I will walk at liberty, for I have sought your precepts.” (Psalm 119:45)
8 Differences Between the Terms
While the terms law, command, commandment, decree, and statute overlap in meaning, some key differences help provide nuance:
- Laws focus on God’s overall instructions; commands/commandments refer to specific orders.
- Commands stress the need for obedience; commandments reveal God’s authority.
- Decrees emphasize the unchanging nature of God’s Word; statutes highlight enactment of binding rules.
- Laws reveal righteous standards; decrees reflect God’s authority and decisions.
- Commands are to be obeyed; statutes are rules to live by.
- Laws teach love for God and others; commandments often focus on the Ten Commandments.
- Commands guide believers today; statutes related to ancient rituals do not.
- Decrees are fixed principles; statutes are specific rules applicable in context.
Implications for Christians
For Christians seeking to apply God’s laws, commands, commandments, decrees and statutes today, some key implications include:
- No longer under condemnation of the law through faith in Christ (Romans 8:1)
- Freed from requirements like food laws and ritual statutes (Colossians 2:16-17)
- Moral laws and love commandments remain valid expressions of God’s nature
- Empowered by the Spirit to keep God’s moral decrees out of love (Ezekiel 36:27)
- Focus is living by the Spirit in Christ’s love, not legalism (Galatians 5:13-25)
- God’s laws and love now written on believers’ hearts by the Spirit (Hebrews 8:10-12)
- Aim to please God out of love, not duty (2 Corinthians 5:9,14-15)
Jesus Christ fulfilled the law perfectly (Matthew 5:17). Through Him, God’s people are empowered to walk in the freedom, love and righteousness that God desires.
