| Geneva Study Bible For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. People's New Testament 1:17 The law was given by Moses. It was not a system of grace, nor could it make men perfect; in contrast with it the system of grace and truth (Joh 1:14) was given by Jesus Christ. Wesley's Notes 1:17 The law - Working wrath and containing shadows: was given - No philosopher, poet, or orator, ever chose his words so accurately as St. John. The law, saith he, was given by Moses: grace was by Jesus Christ. Observe the reason for placing each word thus: The law of Moses was not his own. The grace of Christ was. His grace was opposite to the wrath, his truth to the shadowy ceremonies of the law. Jesus - St. John having once mentioned the incarnation {Joh 1:14,) no more uses that name, the Word, in all his book. Scofield Reference Notes [1] grace Grace. Summary: (1) Grace is "the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man. . . not by works of righteousness which we have done" Ti 3:4,5. It is, therefore, constantly set in contrast to law, under which God demands righteousness from man, as, under grace, he gives righteousness to man Rom 3:21,22 8:4 Phile 3:9. Law is connected with Moses and works; grace with Christ and faith Jn 1:17 Rom 10:4-10. Law blesses the good; grace saves the bad Ex 19:5 Eph 2:1-9. Law demands that blessings be earned; grace is a free gift Dt 28:1-6 Eph 2:8 Rom 4:4,5. (2) As a dispensation, grace begins with the death and resurrection of Christ Rom 3:24-26 4:24,25. The point of testing is no longer legal obedience as the condition of salvation, but acceptance or rejection of Christ, with good works as a fruit of salvation, Jn 1:12,13 3:36 Mt 21:37 22:24 Jn 15:22,25 Heb 1:2 1Jn 5:10-12. The immediate result of this testing was the rejection of Christ by the Jews, and His crucifixion by Jew and Gentile Acts 4:27. The predicted end of the testing of man under grace is the apostasy of the professing church: See "Apostasy" See Scofield Note: "2Tim 3:1" 2Tim 3:1-8 and the resultant apocalyptic judgments. (3) Grace has a twofold manifestation: in salvation Rom 3:24 and in the walk and service of the saved Rom 6:15. See, for the other six dispensations: Innocence, See Scofield Note: "Gen 1:28" Conscience, See Scofield Note: "Gen 3:23" Human Government, See Scofield Note: "Gen 8:21" Promise, See Scofield Note: "Gen 12:1" Law, See Scofield Note: "Ex 19:8" Kingdom, See Scofield Note: "Eph 1:10". Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 17. For, &c.-The Law elicits the consciousness of sin and the need of redemption; it only typifies the reality. The Gospel, on the contrary, actually communicates reality and power from above (compare Ro 6:14). Hence Paul terms the Old Testament "shadow," while he calls the New Testament "substance" (Col 2:17) [Olshausen]. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 1:15-18 As to the order of time and entrance on his work, Christ came after John, but in every other way he was before him. The expression clearly shows that Jesus had existence before he appeared on earth as man. All fulness dwells in him, from which alone fallen sinners have, and shall receive, by faith, all that renders them wise, strong, holy, useful, and happy. Our receivings by Christ are all summed up in this one word, grace; we have received even grace, a gift so great, so rich, so invaluable; the good will of God towards us, and the good work of God in us. The law of God is holy, just, and good; and we should make the proper use of it. But we cannot derive from it pardon, righteousness, or strength. It teaches us to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, but it cannot supply the place of that doctrine. As no mercy comes from God to sinners but through Jesus Christ, no man can come to the Father but by him; no man can know God, except as he is made known in the only begotten and beloved Son. | 
