Paul speaks about “obeying the law” in a few interconnected ways—sometimes warning that the Law cannot save by itself, and other times insisting that Christians truly uphold God’s commandments, fulfilled through love and lived “according to the Spirit.”
Passages in Paul where he speaks most directly about “law” and obedience
Romans 13:8–10 — commandments are fulfilled in love“For he who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the Law…” and the commandments are “summed up” in loving one’s neighbor.
Galatians 5:13, 16, 18, 23 — living by the Spirit rather than being under the law’s bondagePaul connects Christian life to freedom and to walking “according to the Spirit,” contrasting this with the works/desires that lead to death.
He also says that where the Spirit guides, believers are “not… under the law” (in the sense of being governed by flesh/enslavement).
And he states that “against” the Spirit’s fruits (love, joy, peace, etc.) “there is no law.”
1 Timothy 1:9 — the law’s role Paul says “The law is not made for the just,” clarifying that law has a particular diagnostic/disciplinary function, not a saving function for those living in righteousness.
Romans 8:2 — freedom from the “law of sin and death,” enabling obedience Paul teaches that the “law of the Spirit of life” sets believers free from the law of sin and death—so that doing God’s commandments becomes possible “only… as the result of a gift of God” (grace).
Romans 7:24–25 — the need for deliverance (context for why obedience is not self-achieved) Paul describes the problem and then gives thanks for deliverance through Christ.
Galatians 6:2 — “the law of Christ” Paul uses the phrase “law of Christ,” indicating a renewed, Christ-shaped “obedience” lived through communion with Christ.
Paul also gives concrete “discipline” and order in the Church
While that’s not the “moral law” question in the abstract, Paul does command practices of order/discipline for local churches—showing a real expectation of obedience to apostolic directives (given with authority):
1 Corinthians 11:2 and 1 Corinthians 14:40, Colossians 2:5 (discipline/order in the churches).
Key idea (how Paul can sound both “pro-law” and “anti-law”)
In Paul, “obedience” does not mean “salvation by mere legalism.” Instead:
the Law’s demands are truly kept,
but they are fulfilled—especially by love—through Christ and the Spirit, not by human self-sufficiency.