What the Bible says
What does the Bible say about obedience?
Obedience is the fruit of saving faith, not its root: we are saved by grace through faith, “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:8-10). Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15), and his commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). Christ himself became obedient to the point of death (Philippians 2:8), and his perfect obedience is counted to all who believe.
Key Bible verses about obedience
- John 14:15
If you love me, keep my commandments.
- 1 John 5:3
For this is loving God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.
- Ephesians 2:8-10
for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.
- Philippians 2:8
And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.
- Hebrews 5:8-9
though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation,
- 1 Samuel 15:22
Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the LORD’s voice? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
- James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.
- Luke 6:46
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say?
- Matthew 7:24-25
“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock.
- Deuteronomy 6:4-6
Hear, Israel: The LORD is our God. The LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart;
- Acts 5:29
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
- Romans 1:5
through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake;
Scripture: World English Bible (public domain). Short quotations in the introduction are from the ESV. Read each passage in its chapter for the full context.
From the Baptist Catechism
- Q45. What is the duty which God requires of man?
The duty which God requires of man, is obedience to His revealed will.
- Q46. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience was the moral law.
- Q47. Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?
The moral law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments.
- Q88. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but daily breaks them in thought, word, and deed.
In the 1689 Baptist Confession
The Second London Baptist Confession of 1689 is our confessional standard. See what we believe.