Law and Gospel

  • [1]5] All Scripture ought to be distributed into these two principal topics, the Law and the promise For in some places it presents the Law, and in others the promise concerning Christ, namely, either when [in the Old Testament] it promises that Christ will come, and offers, for His sake, the remission of sins justification, and life eternal, or when, in the Gospel [in the New Testament], Christ Himself, since He has appeared, promises the remission of sins, justification, and life eternal. 6] Moreover, in this discussion, by Law we designate the Ten Commandments, wherever they are read in the Scriptures. Of the ceremonies and judicial laws of Moses, we say nothing at present.
  • [2]53|God’s two main works among people are these: to terrify; to justify and make alive those who have been terrified. Into these two works, all Scripture has been distributed. The one part is the Law, which shows, reproves, and condemns sins. The other part is the Gospel, i.e., the promise of grace bestowed in Christ, and this promise is constantly repeated in the whole of Scripture, first having been delivered to Adam [I will put enmity, etc., [Genesis 3:15], afterwards to the patriarchs; then, still more clearly proclaimed by the prophets; lastly, preached and set forth among the Jews by Christ, and spread out over the entire world by the apostles. 54] For all the saints were justified by faith in this promise, and not by their own attrition or contrition.
  • [3]1] The distinction between the Law and the Gospel is a particularly brilliant light. It serves the purpose of rightly dividing God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15) and properly explaining and understanding the Scriptures of the holy prophets and apostles. We must guard this distinction with special care, so that these two doctrines may not be mixed with each other, or a law be made out of the Gospel. When that happens, Christ’s merit is hidden and troubled consciences are robbed of comfort, which they otherwise have in the holy Gospel when it is preached genuinely and purely. For by the Gospel they can support themselves in their most difficult trials against the Law’s terrors.

(For further studies go to: www.bookofconcord.org, The Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord, Article V. http://bookofconcord.org/sd-lawandgospel.php)


[1] www.bookofconcord.org, The Defense of the Augsburg Confession, Article IV, 5-6. Some words and phrases have been modified to increase readability and understanding of our times.

[2] www.bookofconcord.org, The Defense of the Augsburg Confession, Article XII, 53-54. Some words and phrases have been modified to increase readability and understanding of our times.

[3] Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions © 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House.  Used with permission.  All rights reserved.  To purchase a copy of Concordia, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040. SD V, 1, pg 582.