Are the Ten Commandments still relevant in the New Testament?

1. Overview of the Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17; Deuteronomy 5:6–21) form a foundational moral standard in the Hebrew Scriptures. These commandments address one’s relationship with God (e.g., worship, reverence for His name, and keeping the Sabbath) and one’s relationship with others (e.g., honoring parents, prohibitions against murder, adultery, theft, false witness, and covetousness). Ancient Hebrew manuscripts, including those reflected in the Dead Sea Scrolls, consistently preserve these directives, showcasing their historical and textual reliability.

Throughout the centuries, these laws have influenced legal and ethical systems worldwide. By the time the New Testament era began, Jewish believers cherished them as part of the core identity and covenant with God. The question arises, however, about how these commandments function under the New Covenant established by Christ.

2. Jesus’ Relationship to the Ten Commandments

Jesus affirmed the importance of the moral law. In Matthew 5:17–18, He states, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” The phrase “the Law or the Prophets” encompasses the entirety of God’s instruction in the Hebrew Scriptures, which includes the Ten Commandments.

Christ’s fulfillment does not mean discarding the commandments; it points to His perfect obedience and ultimate sacrifice, which satisfies every requirement for righteousness. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus upholds the value of these moral directives. For instance, when asked about the greatest commandment, He summarizes the moral essence of the law in two command-like statements: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ … 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). This teaching does not negate the Ten Commandments; rather, it reaffirms their foundation in love toward God and neighbor.

3. The Apostolic Teaching in the New Testament

Following His resurrection, Jesus commissioned the apostles to teach everything He had commanded (Matthew 28:19–20). In the epistles, several passages directly reference or echo the Ten Commandments. For example:

• Romans 13:8–10: “He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. … The commandments … are summed up in this one decree: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.” Here, Paul highlights how the moral instructions, including prohibitions against murder, adultery, and covetousness, are encompassed by love.

• Ephesians 6:1–3: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (which is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.’” Paul quotes the Fifth Commandment, indicating its ongoing value in shaping Christian behavior.

• James 2:10–12: “Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For He who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ … So speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.” James refers to the commandments against murder and adultery, showing that the moral law still stands as a measuring rod for righteous conduct under the New Covenant.

4. Continuity and the New Covenant

Many theologians explain that the ceremonial and civil components of the Mosaic Law pointed forward to Christ and found their fulfillment in Him (Colossians 2:16–17). Rituals such as animal sacrifices and dietary stipulations were rendered complete by Jesus’ atonement on the cross. However, the moral law—as embodied by the Ten Commandments—remains perpetually relevant.

This distinction between ceremonial, civil, and moral laws comes into focus when reading passages like Galatians 3–4. Paul addresses concerns about whether the Jewish ceremonial requirements are obligatory for Gentile believers. Although such regulations are fulfilled in Christ, the moral imperatives continue to guide Christian ethics. The moral truths laid out in the Ten Commandments transcend covenantal changes because they reflect God’s unchanging nature, calling believers to holiness in every generation.

5. Perspectives from Church History and Textual Witnesses

Inside and outside of Scripture, historical records and manuscript evidence uphold the Ten Commandments as timeless moral standards:

• Early Church Fathers such as Ignatius of Antioch and Justin Martyr referenced the commandments in their letters, applying them to the moral life of believers.

• Manuscript evidence—emphasized by textual scholars—demonstrates a remarkable consistency in transmitting the Pentateuch, including the passages containing the Ten Commandments. Discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls show that key sections, including Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, remained reliably intact.

• Christian writers across centuries—Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, the Reformers, and beyond—have considered these commandments indispensable for instructing believers in godly living.

These bodies of evidence collectively strengthen confidence that the Ten Commandments are faithfully preserved and regarded as instructive for moral conduct in every era.

6. Practical Application in Christian Living

Under the New Covenant, believers are called to obey the moral teachings of Scripture out of love for God and gratitude for Christ’s redemptive work. By the indwelling Holy Spirit, there is both the empowerment and the desire to live in a manner pleasing to God. The Ten Commandments, rather than being burdensome regulations, serve as a mirror that reflects God’s character and exposes human sin, moving believers to depend on divine grace (Romans 3:20–24).

In practical terms:

• Honoring God alone (Commandments 1–3) aligns with worshiping in spirit and truth (John 4:23–24) and refusing idols of any form.

• Observing a day of rest and worship (Commandment 4) can guide believers toward healthy rhythms of work, rest, and worship. While specifics may differ among Christian traditions, the principle of setting aside regular time to honor God is widely observed.

• Honoring parents (Commandment 5) is carried into the Christian household code (Ephesians 6:1–4).

• Prohibitions against murder, adultery, theft, false witness, and coveting (Commandments 6–10) are taught consistently in the New Testament as part of loving God and neighbor (Romans 13:8–9).

Living these commandments in the context of grace fosters deeper fellowship with God and healthier relationships with others.

7. Conclusion

In light of the New Testament, the Ten Commandments maintain ongoing relevance as a reflection of God’s moral character. While Christ’s sacrifice has fulfilled the ceremonial and civil aspects of the Old Testament, the moral law undergirded by the Ten Commandments endures as a guide for holy living. Scripture—from the Gospels to the Epistles—affirms these commandments, urging believers to obey them out of love rather than obligation.

Whether one explores ancient manuscripts, Church history, or direct apostolic teaching, the evidence consistently points to their enduring importance. Far from being obsolete, these timeless directives help shape believers’ hearts and actions—leading them to love God fully and care for their neighbors. As the apostles taught and as the Church has held through the centuries, the Ten Commandments still speak to the life of faith today.