The Weightier Matters of the Law

Justice, Mercy, and Faith

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” – Matthew 23:23 (KJV)

1. Introduction: Law and Grace—A Misunderstood Relationship

Much has been said about the relationship between the Law and the New Covenant of grace. Some assert that the Law has been abolished altogether, quoting verses like Romans 6:14: “For ye are not under the law, but under grace.” However, such interpretations often overlook the words of Jesus Himself in Matthew 23:23, where He not only affirms the Law but underscores its weightier matters—justice, mercy, and faith.

The context of this verse is Jesus’ stern rebuke of the Pharisees. They were meticulous in tithing even the smallest herbs but had neglected the foundational elements of divine expectation: judgment (justice), mercy, and faith. This was not a call to abandon the law, but to fulfill it correctly.

2. Justice, Mercy, and Faith: Still Matters Today

Jesus did not say the scribes were wrong to tithe; rather, they were wrong to neglect what truly mattered. Let's explore what these "weightier matters" mean and why they remain crucial.

Justice (Judgment):

Justice refers to righteous judgment, fair treatment, and the upholding of truth. The Old Testament repeatedly emphasizes God’s desire for justice (see Micah 6:8). Jesus calls believers to uphold what is right—not just ritually, but relationally and socially.

Mercy:

Mercy reflects God’s character—His kindness, forgiveness, and compassion. In Hosea 6:6, God says, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” This aligns perfectly with Jesus’ teaching here. To follow Christ is to be merciful, not merely religious.

Faith:

Interestingly, faith is listed as a matter of the Law. This challenges the often-repeated dichotomy between the Law and faith. In reality, even under the Old Covenant, the righteous were to live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4). Jesus affirms that faith is not a replacement of the Law—but an essential component of it.

3. Are We Still Under the Law?

Paul’s letters explain that believers are no longer under the condemnation of the Law, but under grace. However, this does not mean the moral and spiritual principles of the Law are obsolete.

Romans 3:31 – “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”
Matthew 5:17 – “Think not that I am come to destroy the law... but to fulfill.”

Jesus’ teachings consistently pointed toward inner obedience rather than mere outward ritual. He raises the standard by moving the Law from the stone tablets to the heart (see Jeremiah 31:33).

4. Faith as a Matter of the Law?

This is perhaps the most surprising element of Matthew 23:23. If faith is a weightier matter of the Law, then we must reconsider our theology. Here are some important insights:

Faith is not lawless. It is a response to God’s covenant and commands.
The Law required belief in God’s character and promises, just as faith does today.
Hebrews 11 outlines a long list of Old Testament saints who lived by faith—well before the New Testament era.

Faith is not a modern Christian invention; it has always been foundational. Jesus connects it directly to the Law to show continuity in God's expectation.

5. "Not by Law but by Grace": What It Really Means

The phrase “not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14) is often misunderstood as an abolishment of all divine moral standards. But Paul was emphasizing freedom from the Law's condemnation—not the dismissal of God’s expectations.

Grace does not eliminate responsibility—it empowers obedience. Paul writes in Titus 2:11–12:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.”

Grace is not a license to sin; it is the power to live out the weightier matters of the Law. In fact, the Law—fulfilled in Christ—is written on our hearts through the Spirit. Thus, the believer under grace is more accountable, not less.

When Jesus mentions justice, mercy, and faith as matters of the Law, He bridges the gap: the Law was never just about ritual—it was about the heart. Grace restores us to live these truths from the inside out.

6. Conclusion: Fulfillment, Not Abolishment

Jesus never abolished the Law—He fulfilled it and clarified it. He shifted the focus from ritual precision to moral and spiritual authenticity.

The weightier matters—justice, mercy, and faith—are not just ideals for personal character; they are divine imperatives that reflect God’s nature and will.

Let us not fall into the trap of selective obedience like the Pharisees. Instead, let us live in grace, but not apart from truth. Let our faith produce justice and mercy, fulfilling the Law in spirit and in truth.

In fact, grace was already saving the righteous long before the Law of Moses—and even before the rise of Christian doctrine. In Genesis 6:7–8, when God decided to destroy all living creatures that breathed through their nostrils, Noah was spared because he found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Along with Noah, the eight people who survived the flood were preserved by that same grace.

Furthermore, the law has never saved even a single soul since creation. It was never intended to save us; its purpose lies elsewhere. When Adam sinned, God's grace initiated a redemption plan. The rich young man, who had diligently kept the law, failed when asked to part with his wealth, highlighting that true devotion requires more than just rule-keeping. Jesus' response, "you lack one thing," emphasizes the importance of heart obedience. While salvation comes through grace, not deeds, living under a covenant requires adherence to its principles, with love being the greatest law of all.

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