Are the Ten Commandments Still Relevant Today — In Biblical Context
While Christians are not under the Mosaic Law for salvation, the Ten Commandments reveal God's moral character and remain the foundation for understanding sin and righteousness.
While Christians are not under the Mosaic Law for salvation, the Ten Commandments reveal God's moral character and remain the foundation for understanding sin and righteousness.
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." — Matthew 5:17 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) express God's unchanging moral will. Jesus did not abolish them but deepened them — teaching that anger equals murder in the heart and lust equals adultery (Matthew 5:21-28). He summarized all ten in two: love God supremely and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40). Paul quoted specific commandments in his letters (Romans 13:9, Ephesians 6:2) and taught that the law's purpose is to reveal sin: 'I had not known sin, but by the law' (Romans 7:7). The law cannot save (Galatians 2:16), but it serves as a 'schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ' (Galatians 3:24). The moral law — as distinct from Israel's ceremonial and civil laws — reflects God's eternal character. Believers are empowered by the Spirit to fulfill 'the righteousness of the law' through love (Romans 8:4, 13:10). The commandments remain a mirror showing God's standards, a guide for grateful living, and a guardrail against destruction.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Matthew 5:17, sits inside Matthew 5. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
Supporting Passages
"Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
"I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet."
Explore this question from another angle
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
What Are the Ten Commandments?
Theology & Doctrine
What Are the Ten Commandments?
Theology & Doctrine
Is Speaking in Tongues for Today?
Theology & Doctrine
Bible Verses About the Ten Commandments
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About the Ten Commandments
10 curated KJV verses
Matthew 22:37-39 Commentary
In-depth study • Love & Commandments
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.