Grace and the Ten Commandments: A Deeper Understanding

What Is Grace, and Does It Abolish the Ten Commandments?

A widely spread belief in modern Christianity is that grace has abolished the Ten Commandments. But what does Scripture truly say? The Bible clearly teaches that grace does not set aside Elohim’s law. Rather, it establishes and empowers the believer to walk in obedience through the faith of Yahshua Messiah.

Let us begin by understanding what grace is, according to the Word of Elohim.

What Is Grace?

Ephesians 1 paints the most complete and exalted picture of what grace truly is. The Apostle Paul opens with these words:

“Paul, an apostle of Yahshua Messiah by the will of Elohim, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Yahshua Messiah: Grace be to you, and peace, from Elohim our Father, and from the Lord Yahshua Messiah.”

— Ephesians 1:1–2 (KJV)

Paul then proceeds to declare:

“Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Lord Yahshua Messiah, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Messiah:

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Yahshua Messiah to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

— Ephesians 1:3–6 (KJV)

Grace here is far more than just “unmerited favor.” It is a divine choosing, a sanctifying power, a spiritual blessing, and a holy calling — all bestowed through Yahshua Messiah. It is the very means by which Elohim has called us out of death into life.

How Does Romans 9 Confirm This View of Grace?

Romans 9 illustrates this grace further:

“For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of Elohim according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;

It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.”

— Romans 9:11–13 (KJV)

Just like Jacob was chosen apart from any merit of his own, we were chosen by Elohim while we were yet sinners. When we were dead in sins, Elohim showed us mercy, covering our guilt with the blood of the Lamb — as illustrated from the beginning, when Adam and Eve sinned.

“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord Elohim make coats of skins, and clothed them.”

— Genesis 3:21 (KJV)

This is grace: the Lamb slain to cover the nakedness of sin — undeserved, yet lovingly provided.

Does Grace Abolish the Commandments?

The common assertion that grace removes the need for the Ten Commandments is plainly refuted by the words of Yahshua Himself.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

— Matthew 5:17–19 (KJV)

Explanation:

Yahshua Messiah emphasizes that His mission is not to abolish the ten commandments but to fulfill it. He came to perfectly embody the law, showing us how to live in accordance with Elohim's will. Yahshua declares that the commandments will remain in effect until the end of time, reinforcing that not a single part of the law will pass away. Those who break or teach others to break even the smallest commandment will be the least in the kingdom of heaven, while those who obey and teach others to do so will be called great.

Is the 10 commandments Void Through Faith?

Paul asks the very question:

“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”

— Romans 3:31 (KJV)

Grace leads not to lawlessness but to obedience — an obedience born from the heart.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of Elohim.”

— Romans 10:17 (KJV)

And what is the Word of Elohim? The Spirit, which brings truth and holiness:

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

— John 17:17 (KJV)

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

— John 6:63 (KJV)

Is Grace a License to Sin?

Paul strongly refutes such an idea:

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

— Romans 6:1–2 (KJV)

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, Elohim sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

— Romans 8:3–4 (KJV)

The Spirit (which is the Word — John 6:63) leads the believer into obedience, not rebellion.

How Does the New Covenant Relate to the Law?

The New Covenant does not remove the law but moves it to the heart:

“But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people.”

— Jeremiah 31:33 (KJV)

And Yahshua affirmed:

“But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”

— Matthew 19:17 (KJV)

The Testimony of the Saints

True saints are described not by what they confess alone, but by their fruits and faithfulness:

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Elohim, and the faith of Yahshua.”

— Revelation 14:12 (KJV)

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of Elohim, and have the testimony of Yahshua Messiah.”

— Revelation 12:17 (KJV)

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

— Isaiah 8:20 (KJV)

We are also admonished:

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of Elohim: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

— 1 John 4:1 (KJV)

“That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Messiah.”

— Philippians 1:10 (KJV)

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (KJV)

Conclusion: The Power of Grace Is in Obedience

Grace is the great love and undeserved favor Elohim has shown through Yahshua Messiah — not based on our works, but purely on His mercy. As seen from the very beginning in Genesis 3, when Adam sinned, Elohim did not leave him naked and condemned. He clothed him with the skin of a sacrificed animal — a shadow of the Lamb to come. So now, grace clothes us with righteousness, not so we may continue in sin, but so we may live holy, Spirit-led lives.

Let us therefore walk in the liberty of grace, not turning it into an excuse for lawlessness, but allowing it to fulfill in us the righteousness of the law, through faith in Yahshua Messiah.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Messiah hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

— Galatians 5:1 (KJV)

“For in Yahshua Messiah neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”

— Galatians 5:6 (KJV)