Understanding covenant context, the cross, and the purpose of the Law
Read Scripture in Its Covenant Context
The Bible tells one unfolding story, but not every passage was written to the same people living under the same covenant. When those distinctions are overlooked, the Law, grace, forgiveness, faith, and works can become needlessly confusing.
This collection on the New Covenant and the Law will help you examine when the New Covenant began, why the cross is the dividing line, what purpose the Law served, and how the historical setting changes the way familiar passages should be understood.
You can follow the studies in order or begin with the question that brought you here.
Start Here
Before studying individual passages about the Law, forgiveness, faith, or works, begin with the larger covenant framework. Understanding when the New Covenant began and what changed through Christ provides the foundation for everything that follows.
What is New Covenant Teaching?
Begin with when the New Covenant began, why the cross is the dividing line, and how covenant context changes the way Scripture is read.
In This Topic
Choose a place to begin, or follow the studies from top to bottom:
The Cross and Covenant Change
The cross stands at the center of covenant change. These studies examine how Christ’s finished work, completed forgiveness, and the original audiences of Scripture belong within that transition.
1 John 1:9 is NOT Christian Instruction?
Read 1 John 1:9 in its audience and covenant setting rather than turning it into repeated Christian instruction.
1 John 1:9 – What is it Really about?
Explore the original question behind 1 John 1:9 and why confession language must be interpreted within the letter’s setting.
Law, Grace, and the Transition
Paul’s teaching about the Law was not an abstract theological argument. It unfolded amid questions about Jewish customs, Gentile believers, righteousness by faith, and fellowship during the transition into New Covenant freedom.
Is the Law written on our hearts?
Examine whether the New Covenant writes the Law of Moses on Christian hearts or promises something greater.
Unashamed: from Faith for Faith (Romans 1:16-17)
Follow Paul’s contrast between righteousness by faith and righteousness through law.
Paul Rebukes Peter in Antioch (Galatians 2:11)
Examine why Paul rebuked Peter in Antioch and how Jewish customs, Gentile believers, and gospel fellowship shaped the conflict.
Did the Apostles Keep Torah After the Cross? (Galatians 2:11)
Ask whether the apostles continued to observe Torah after the cross and how that practice fit the covenant transition without making the Law a means of justification.
The Jew First and also the Greek (Romans 2:9-11)
Consider what Paul meant by the Jew first and also the Greek within the unfolding covenant story.
The Antidote to Christian Cognitive Dissonance (Romans 1:1-7)
See how mixing grace with law, repeated forgiveness, and conditional fellowship produces spiritual double talk—and why believers are called back to Christ’s completed work.
Reading 1 John in Context
Few New Testament letters are quoted more often without regard for their original audience than 1 John. These chapter discussions allow the complete letter to guide the interpretation of its familiar statements about fellowship, confession, righteousness, love, faith, and life.
1 John Chapter 1: Discussion
Begin the 1 John discussions by observing the audience, opening claims, and fellowship language of chapter 1.
1 John Chapter 2: Discussion
Continue into chapter 2 and test familiar Christian applications against John’s stated audience and concerns.
1 John Chapter 3: Discussion
Explore chapter 3 with attention to identity, righteousness, love, and John’s covenant setting.
1 John Chapter 4: Discussion
Read chapter 4 through its contrasts of truth, error, love, and confession of Christ.
1 John Chapter 5: Discussion
Complete the letter with its testimony about faith, life, assurance, and the Son of God.
Faith and Works in James
The statement that “faith without works is dead” is often separated from the audience and historical questions surrounding the letter of James. These studies provide a starting point for reading its message within that setting.
Faith without Works is Dead: An Introduction to James
Begin with the disputed phrase faith without works is dead and establish the historical questions James raises.
James: The Gospel Before the Cross?
Ask how James relates to the gospel before the cross and how that setting affects Christian interpretation.
Continue Exploring
Continue exploring the New Covenant and the Law through the complete Scripture Index, Companion Bible Study collection, and related Topic Hubs below.
Waking Up to Grace Scripture Index
Search the complete study index for additional covenant and Law studies.
All Companion Bible Studies
Browse every Companion Bible Study in publication order.
Grace and the Finished Work of Christ
Continue with the curated learning path for Christ’s completed work, freedom from religious performance, growth in grace, and the Father’s lasting acceptance.
Salvation, Forgiveness, and Assurance
Continue with the curated learning path for the gospel, completed forgiveness, baptism, assurance, difficult warning passages, and salvation questions involving children.
Until Next Time
Understanding covenant context does more than settle a theological question. It helps us read Scripture carefully, honor the people and circumstances to which each passage was written, and see more clearly what Christ accomplished.
As you continue studying, keep the cross as the dividing line and Jesus at the center.