I often see comments on the forum from those who quote Matthew 5:17 as a confirmation that "the law" has not been abolished. Somehow they fail to see that the verse says, "the Law or the Prophets", not "the law".
Matthew 5:17
“Do not think that I have come to abolish
the Law or the Prophets;
I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
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My primary aim here is to show that these terms are in reference to the books, not to the law itself. The thrust in most cases is the prophetic aspect, not dealing with the law itself. (that God gave to the Israelites alone)
What is the significance of the terms "the Law and the Prophets"?
The terms "the Law and the Prophets", are in reference to the books of the Law and the books of the Prophets. The NIV translation helps us most of the time by capitalizing "Law" and "Prophets" to show us that they are book titles.
Notice the use of capitalization and non-capitalization in this verse.
Romans 3:21
But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known,
to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
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There is a reference to "the law" (non-capitalized) and to "the Law and the Prophets" (capitalized). So we can gather that this is speaking about "the law" itself and also about the books of the Law and the books of the Prophets. Which helps greatly to understand what this verse is saying.
But now apart from the law (that God gave to the Israelites alone) the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the books of the Law and the books of the Prophets testify.
These examples are not isolated. A Bible search for the words "law prophets" brings up these other references. Notice how they confirm the idea that these are in reference to the books of the Law and the books of the Prophets (and the book of Psalms). In fact, the first example is Jesus' explanation of Matt.5:17.
Luke 24:44
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
John 1:45
Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
Acts 13:15
After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
Acts 24:14
However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,
Acts 28:23
They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus.
Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 11:13
For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
Matthew 22:40
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Luke 16:16
“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.
