Audio commentary on this verse

Note 3 at Ro 10:4: The Greek word that was translated "end" here is "TELOS," and it means "the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination...)" (Strong's Concordance).

This verse does not say that Christ is the end of the Law but rather that Christ is the end of the Law for the purpose of righteousness. This means that people no longer become righteous, or justified in the sight of God, by how well they perform the deeds of the Law (see note 2 at Lu 1:6). However, the Law still has useful purposes for New Testament believers.

The Old Testament Law still reveals to us God's holiness, which we should seek to emulate. It must be understood, however, that our failure to comply does not bring the punishments pronounced in the Law since Jesus bore those for us (Ga 3:13). Our compliance does not earn the blessings of God either; those only come by faith in Christ (Ro 4:8-13). We also need to be acquainted with the Old Testament Law so that we will better understand our New Covenant and God's historical dealings with mankind.

Also, Paul said to Timothy, "But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully" (1Ti 1:8). He then said that the Law was not made for a righteous person (i.e., a Christian, 2Co 5:21) but rather for an unbeliever (1Ti 1:9-10). So, a Christian can still use the Law when ministering to unbelievers to show them their sin and their need for a savior (see note 4 at Ro 3:19).

As Christians, we should not discard the Old Testament Law. When understood in the light of the New Covenant, the Old Covenant provides us with invaluable revelation of God. Paul was simply stressing that the time when people sought to be justified through the keeping of the Old Testament Law is over. Now, people must put their faith in Christ, and Christ alone, for salvation.

Someone might ask, "Was anyone ever justified by the keeping of the Law?" The answer is yes. One person did become righteous through His keeping of the Old Testament Law. That person was Jesus. One of the reasons the Old Testament Law was given was so that Jesus could legally earn man's redemption. Now that the purchase has been completed, that function of the Law is over.

Note 4 at Ro 10:4: The phrase "to every one that believeth" limits this benefit only to believers (Christians). To those who do not receive God's gift of salvation, the Law is still in effect (see note 4 at Joh 3:36). Those who fail to believe on Jesus will have to answer to God for each and every one of their transgressions of the Law.