How many non-decalogue commandments from the Old Testament are still morally binding for Christians? Many denominations believe that Christians should obey the ten commandments (also known as the decalogue), which can be found in Exodus 20:1-17. However, there are 613 commandments in the Old Testament, not just 10. Moreover, Jesus himself claimed in Matthew 22:36-40 that the two greatest commandments are not part of the decalogue. In other words, Jesus endorsed the observance of two non-decalogue commandments. This makes me wonder: how many of the 603 non-decalogue commandments are still morally binding for Christians today? I know that the two greatest commandments definitely are, but are there others?
Jesus affirmed the two greatest commandments because &quot;All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments&quot; (Matthew 22:40). Paul says similarly in Romans 13:8, &quot;Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law&quot;.
The Law, especially the Decalogue, was given as an expression of the two greatest commandments - to love God and neighbour.
The other 613 laws are more complicated. It's common to speak of the tripartate division of the law - moral, civil, and ceremonial. As that link shows there are complexities. Some commands are specifically abrogated in the New Testament (e.g. Mark 7:19). Jesus fulfilled the need for sacrifices to be made (Hebrews 7:18-19).
I would suggest a more nuanced approach than seeing it as a binary thing (commands we either do or do not need to obey). I think the commands are there to teach us how to live, but not to be obeyed in the Old Testament sense. This is because in the New Testament we need to walk in step with the Spirit, who alone can give us a deeper obedience to the Law. Galatians 3:24, &quot;So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.&quot;
Jesus came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17). This means that the righteous demands of the law can only be fulfilled in us through him, through his death and resurrection. We cannot obey perfectly, yet through Christ and the Holy Spirit working in us we can begin to love as God wants us to love. Rather than being an external obedience, God writes his law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).
Therefore the law that needs to be obeyed is the law of love - the two greatest commandments. But the rest of the law we need to see through the lens of being fulfilled in Jesus Christ.