John 1:17

Dr. Ronnie Wolfe

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

The law came by (by the instrumentality) of Moses. God is the author of the law, and he is the overseer and the Judge of the law and those who either keep it or disobey it. Every man will be judged upon his obedience to God's law.

Moses was a type of Jesus, for Deut. 18:15 says, The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

So here we have two men, one a type, the other the antitype (or fulfillment) of the type, and they meet in this one verse to show the contrast between the law and grace and truth.

Christ was like Moses in that He was a Prophet, and Moses was a prophet. It is to that greater Prophet that we shall hearken (see Deut. 18:15 above).

Moses was the instrument through which the law came to the children of Israel, but that law could not bring life (Gal. 3:21-22). We are, therefore all under sin, because we have all broken the Mosaic Law.

But Jesus brought grace, and grace is the ultimate prize of redemption. It is only by God's grace that we have any connection with the spiritual world. The carnal (fleshly or worldly) mind cannot conceive God nor his truths (Rom. 8:7).

Grace and truth go hand in hand, and truth came by Jesus Christ, also. He said himself in John 14:6 . . . I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. A detailed study of truth is welcomed at this point and perhaps needed.

The truth is that  . . . all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Rom. 3:23 and that . . . the wages of sin is death; Rom. 6:23. But it is also true, as given us in this same verse, . . . but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Eternal life is a gift, then, and the curse of the law is lifted from us by grace through faith Gal. 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: See also Eph. 2:8-10.