Thank you for the question on the Ten Commandments, “Are there exceptions to the ten commandments?”
The Ten Commandments were given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19–20). This is part of the conditional Mosaic Covenant between the LORD God and the people who came out of Egypt and their descendants.
For one’s consideration, there are exceptions to the Ten Commandments. There are two exceptions as follows:
Exception 1: The nations of the world are not under the Ten Commandments or the Mosaic Law.
God didn’t make a covenant with the nations of the world at Mount Sinai. He made a covenant with the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel was to be theocracy with God as her King.
Exodus 19 says this, “Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites” (NIV).
The pronoun, you, refers to the descendants of Jacob who entered Egypt and whom God delivered from the Egyptians. It is to the Israelites. God made a covenant with them by giving them the Ten Commandments. In other words, God didn’t make a covenant with the nations of the world. Thus one can conclude that the Ten Commandments do not apply to the people groups/nations of the world. They are not in a covenant relationship with the LORD God. Therefore the Ten Commandments do not apply to them.
Exception 2: The followers of Jesus are not under The Ten Commandments (Mosaic Covenant).
The Ten Commandments was given by God for the Israelites to maintain their fellowship with him. In order for the Israelites to be God’s representatives before the nations, they had to follow God’s prescribed Laws in order to make them a distinct people, a holy people set apart for God. The Ten Commandments (Mosaic Law) shifted from fellowship with God to salvation before God. The Law became the means for salvation.
The Apostle Paul declares that no one will be made righteous by obeying the Law. The Apostle Paul says this in Romans 3, “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (NIV).
Salvation is by faith apart from works (Eph. 2:8–9). It is a gift from God received by faith. Upon salvation, believers are not called to look to the Law for moral purity, but to the Holy Spirit and the Words of Jesus.
On the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus states the moral and spiritual principle of the Kingdom of God that transcends the letter of the Law. For example, Jesus said this, “21 You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell” (NIV).
Kingdom people lived by Kingdom principles. The death and resurrection opened the door whereby God has given his Spirit to believers. The Spirit is the one who enables and empowers the believer to walk a life pleasing to God and to do his will.
Galatians 5 says this, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law…22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (NIV).
In other words, followers of Jesus do not look to the Law as THE guiding principle for godly living. Believers rely on the Holy Spirit and the words of the Apostles and the teachings of the Apostles (Acts 2:42, Matt. 28:18–20). A person who is filled with the Holy Spirit will live a life pleasing to the God.
The debate/question will be whether followers of Jesus are obligated to observe the Sabbath. The Law was given to the Israelites to set aside the Sabbath to honor God and to rest from their works. Since believers are not living in a theocracy, the guiding is that followers are to set aside a day to worship God and to rest from their work.
Colossians 2 says this, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (NIV). Is the emphasis on the Sabbath Day itself or one’s heart and mind attitude in honoring God whether on the Sabbath Day or on the first day of the week, Sunday? God looks at the heart of the person, not just the attendance at a service or lack of activity. One can physically be at a synagogue or church and be a million miles away. One can “rest” on the day, but sitting down planning what to do in the rest of the week. One can read the Scriptures without having any impact on one’s life. The Sabbath Day or Sunday is to be a day sanctified unto God and to reflect on his blessings on the week. It is to be a day of praise and gratitude.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, I realize that there are Christians who hold to a different viewpoint than what I understand of the Scriptures. It is not my intention to refute those who hold to a different understanding than I do, but for one’s own study of the Scriptures.
One last comment. One can be “under” the Law without “obeying” the Law. Drivers are under the DMV Code but that doesn’t mean that one obeys the regulations of the Code. The Israelites knew the Mosaic Law, but they too didn’t obey the Law. Failure to obey the Law doesn’t negate the Law. God didn’t rescind the Law for the Israelites.
SUMMARY: For the Israelites, there are no exceptions or exemptions because the LORD God and the Israelites entered into a conditional covenant to become his representatives on earth. They will fulfill that covenant one day with the New Covenant.
For more perspectives:
https://www.quora.com/Are-there-exceptions-to-the-ten-commandments