John 1:17

“For the law was given by Moses, etc.] Both moral and ceremonial. The moral law was given to Adam, in innocence, which having been broken, and almost lost out of the minds, and memories of men, was given by Moses, in a new edition of it in writing; and points out what is man’s duty both to God and men; discovers sin, accuses of it, convicts of it, and condemns for it; nor could it give strength to perform its demands; nor does it give the least hint of forgiveness; nor will it admit of repentance: and hence is opposed to grace; though it was a benefit to men, being in its own nature good and useful in its effects. The ceremonial law pointed out the pollution of human nature, the guilt and…”

“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 Rom 6:14). Hence Paul terms the Old Testament "shadow," while he calls the New Testament "substance" (Col 2:17) [OLSHAUSEN].”

“The law was given - The Old Testament economy. The institutions under which the Jews lived. By Moses - By Moses, as the servant of God. He was the great legislator of the Jews, by whom, under God, their polity was formed. The law worketh wrath Romans 4:15; it was attended with many burdensome rites and ceremonies Acts 15:10; it was preparatory to another state of things. The gospel succeeded that and took its place, and thus showed the greatness of the gospel economy, as well as its grace and truth. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ - A system of religion full of favors, and the “true” system, was revealed by him. The old system was one of “law,” and “shadows,” and “burdensome rites;”…”

“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. John 1:18”

“1:17 the law: That is, the torah, the body of instruction given to Moses at Mount Sinai. • Although God’s unfailing love and faithfulness are in the torah, these qualities are fully revealed in Christ (3:16; 13:1).”

“the law: Joh 5:45, Joh 9:29; Exod. 20:1-17; Deu 4:44, Deu 5:1, Deu 33:4; Act 7:38, Act 28:23; Rom 3:19, Rom 3:20, Rom 5:20, Rom 5:21; Co2 3:7-10; Gal 3:10-13, Gal 3:17; Heb 3:5, Heb 3:6, Heb 8:8-12 grace: Joh 8:32, Joh 14:6; Gen 3:15, Gen 22:18; Psa 85:10, Psa 89:1, Psa 89:2, Psa 98:3; Mic 7:20; Luk 1:54, Luk 1:55, Luk 1:68-79; Act 13:34-39; Rom 3:21-26, Rom 5:21, Rom 6:14, Rom 15:8-12; Co2 1:20; Heb 9:22, Heb 10:4-10, Heb 11:39, Heb 11:40; Rev 5:8-10, Rev 7:9-17 John 1:18”