How Many Commands in the New Testament?

Do you know how many commands there are in the Old Testament? That’s right, there are 613. Well, that makes sense, because it seems that the Old Testament is full of rules, lots of “shalls” and the “shall nots”. But what about the New Testament? The Old Testament contains about 602,585 words in the English translation; the New Testament contains about 180,552 words ¹. So, if that proportion holds true for commands, you’d expect about 185 commands in the New Testament. 

Do you know how many commands are in the New Testament? The number is actually 1,050. That’s right, it’s 1,050 ². God is very interested in what we do.

Indeed, apart from him and his grace, we can do nothing. But nothing isn't the goal. Instead of thinking we can obey these commands in our own strength, we are to depend on Christ and the forgiveness and power we have in him to live a new life and thus begin to obey these wonderful commands. Christ turns the commands from condemnation-filled warnings to promise-filled invitations.

So, by his amazing grace, with great hope for his eternal blessings, start trusting and obeying!

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV)

1. See http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_words_in_the_King_James_Bible
2. See http://adrianwarnock.com/2006/02/preaching-800-commands-of-new/ et al,