Claim: ‘The Law is Bondage’

Claim: “The Law is Bondage.” — A Court-Ready Rebuttal

CLAIM

“Christians are freed from the Law because the Law is bondage.”

ANSWER

Scripture identifies sin—not God’s instructions—as bondage. In the New Covenant we are freed from
sin’s mastery and from the curse/penalty of law-breaking so we can walk in God’s ways by the Spirit
(Rom 6:18; Rom 6:22; Rom 3:31; Rom 8:4; Matt 5:17–19).

Overview

A. Issue

Does Scripture teach that “the Law is bondage”—so believers are freed from God’s instructions—or that we’re freed from sin in order to obey God from the heart?

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B. Short Answer

Sin is bondage (Jn 8:34; Rom 6:16–22). God’s Law is life, wisdom, and liberty (Deut 30:11–14; Ps 19:7–11; Ps 119:44–45). In Christ we’re freed from sin and from the curse of our violations (Gal 3:13) so that the Law’s righteous requirement is fulfilled in us by the Spirit (Rom 8:4). Faith does not nullify the Law; it establishes it (Rom 3:31).

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C. Definitions

  • Torah (תּוֹרָה): instruction/teaching—God’s covenant guidance (Deut 4:5–8; Ps 19:7).
  • Nomos (νόμος): “law”; context decides whether Torah, broader divine standard, or legal principle.
  • Bondage/Slavery (δουλεία/δουλόω): primarily slavery to sin (Jn 8:34; Rom 6:16–20).
  • Under the Law (ὑπὸ νόμον): condemning jurisdiction / covenant of works (Rom 6:14–15; Gal 4–5).
  • Freedom (ἐλευθερία): freedom from sin and condemnation, unto Spirit-empowered obedience (Rom 6; Gal 5:13–14).

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D. Controlling Authorities (Scriptural Precedent)

1) Hebrew Bible: Law = Life, Wisdom, Liberty

  • Not too hard: Deut 30:11–14.
  • For your good: Deut 10:12–13.
  • Revives the soul: Ps 19:7–11.
  • Walk at liberty by seeking precepts: Ps 119:44–45.
  • New Covenant: Law written on hearts: Jer 31:31–34; Ezek 36:26–27.

2) Jesus: Fulfills & Deepens, Not Abolishes

  • Matt 5:17–19; Mk 7:6–13.
  • Jn 14:15; Jn 15:10; Jn 8:31–36.
  • Matt 11:28–30 (His yoke is easy—not bondage).

3) Apostolic Witness: Grace Establishes, Not Erases

  • Rom 6:18, 22; Rom 3:31; Rom 7:12; Rom 8:4.
  • 1 Cor 7:19; Jas 1:25; Jas 2:8–12; 1 Jn 5:3.
  • Rev 14:12.

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E. Analysis

A. The Torah is not bondage; sin is.

Jesus and Paul identify slavery’s master as sin (Jn 8:34; Rom 6:16–22). The OT portrays Torah as God’s gracious path of freedom (Ps 119:45), wisdom (Deut 4:6), and life (Deut 30:19–20; Prov 6:23).

B. Christ removed the curse/condemnation—not the standard.

Christ redeems from the curse (Gal 3:13)—the penalty for disobedience (Deut 27–30). The Law exposes sin and tutors us to Messiah (Rom 3:20; Gal 3:19–24). By the Spirit we now do what the flesh could not (Rom 8:3–4; Ezek 36:27).

C. “Under grace” ≠ lawlessness; it’s a new jurisdiction and power.

“Not under law but under grace” means we’re no longer under condemnation’s regime; we’re under grace’s reign that trains us to obey (Rom 6:14–15; Titus 2:11–14). Love fulfills the Law (Rom 13:8–10; Gal 5:13–14).

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F. Proof-Texts: Context & Replies

1) Galatians 5:1 — “Yoke of slavery”

Issue: Is Torah the yoke? Context: justification by conversion markers (circumcision) and a works-covenant (Gal 2:3–5; 3:2–3; 5:2–4). Reply: Paul rejects Law-as-passport-to-righteousness, not Spirit-empowered obedience. Love fulfills the Law (Gal 5:13–14).

2) Acts 15:10 — “A yoke… our fathers could not bear.”

Issue: Is the Law itself the unbearable yoke? Context: forcing Gentile conversion as a salvation condition (Acts 15:1, 5–11). Reply: The council refuses that demand, gives table-fellowship entry (Acts 15:20), and notes Moses is read each Sabbath (Acts 15:21)—ongoing instruction, not abolition.

3) Colossians 2:14, 16–17 — “Record of debt” & judging

Issue: Was the Law nailed to the cross? Reply: The cheirographon (record of charges) is canceled—our guilt, not God’s moral will. Don’t submit to human gatekeepers; the substance is Christ, and the shadows point to Him.

4) 2 Corinthians 3 — “Ministry of death… on stone”

Issue: Is the Law essentially death? Reply: Paul contrasts old-covenant administration (external letter, hardened hearts) with new-covenant Spirit (internalized law). The problem was the heart, not God’s standard (Jer 31; Ezek 36).

5) Romans 10:4 — “Christ is the telos of the Law”

Issue: Does “end” mean termination? Reply: Telos = goal/culmination: in Christ, the Law’s aim—righteousness—is realized (Rom 8:4; Rom 3:31).

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G. Findings of Fact (Summarized)

  1. Bondage = slavery to sin; Torah is liberty (Jn 8:34; Ps 119:45; Deut 30:11–14).
  2. Jesus fulfills and upholds the Law; He rebukes traditions that void it (Matt 5:17–19; Mk 7:6–13).
  3. Grace establishes the Law’s righteous standard (Rom 3:31; Jas 1:25; Jas 2:8–12).
  4. The cross removes curse/condemnation, not God’s moral will (Gal 3:13; Col 2:14).
  5. The Spirit writes the Law on our hearts and empowers obedience (Jer 31:33; Ezek 36:27; Rom 8:4; Heb 8:10).

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H. Conclusion (Holding)

The slogan “the Law is bondage” fails. God’s Law is holy, righteous, good (Rom 7:12) and, when written on the heart, the path of liberty (Ps 119:45; Jas 1:25). In Christ we are freed from sin and its curse to walk in God’s ways (Rom 6:18, 22; Rom 8:4; Rev 14:12).

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I. One-Liner

Not freed from God’s instructions—freed from sin to finally obey them from the heart (Rom 6:18, 22; Jer 31:33; Rom 8:4; 1 Jn 5:3).

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