Was the Apostle Paul really telling us that the law of God was done away with? There are many verses that seem to say so. But is it possible that we've been reading into the scripture the understanding that we've been handed down throughout many generations? I believe that we are in error about the writings of Paul. And we would not be the first to have mistaken what Paul was trying to say, even Peter brings up this issue. “He [Paul] writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.” 2 Peter 3:16-17
BUT please, do not believe me, search out the scriptures for yourself. Test everything (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Search it out with the scriptures (Acts 17:11). We have a responsibility as followers of Christ to know the scriptures and be in them everyday so that we are not lead astray. That is why I ask you please not to take my word for it. If something I say does not hold up against the scriptures TOSS IT OUT!
So I know there are many verses that sound like Paul is against the law, but before reasoning those out, I think it is necessary to show the verses that show things that he said to show his support of the law. If we can establish this as a base, it will help to reshape our understanding of the verses that sound anti-law.
Romans 2:13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
Romans 2:18 [speaking to the Jews] if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law...
Romans 2:20 ...because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth – you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself?
Romans 2:23 You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
Romans 3:1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
Romans 3:20 ...through the law we become conscious of sin.
Romans 3:31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Romans 7:7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law.
Romans 7:10 ...the very commandment that was intended to bring life...
Romans 7:12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
Romans 7:13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good...
Romans 7:16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good
Romans 7:22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law
Romans 7:25 So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law
Romans 8:3-4 And so he condemned sin in sinful man in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us...
Romans 8:7 ... the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
1 Timothy 1:8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful... – and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God...
Notice Paul is equating sound doctrine with the law, just like it says in Proverbs 4:2, “For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.”
2 Timothy 3:15-16 ... from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness...
And here ask yourself the question, “What scriptures did they have in the first century when this was written?”
Acts 21:17-26 Paul... went to see James and all the elders were present. ...They said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses... so do what we tell you... take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. ...The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.
Acts24:14 I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets...
Acts 25:8 Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple...”
Acts 28:17 Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors...”
Paul uses the Biblical Feast days found in the law to teach, he keeps time by them, he observes them and even tells others to observe them:
1Cor 15:20-23 Christ the firstfruits (Lev 23:9-14);
1Cor 5:7 Christ our Passover);
Acts 18:21 “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem” NKJV (some versions omit this phrase)
Acts 20:6 Paul sails to Philippi after Unleavened Bread;
Acts 20:16 Paul wanted to arrive in time for Pentecost/Shavuot;
Acts 27:9 “sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement”
1Cor 5:8 “Therefore let us keep the feast”
So what do you think? Did Paul call the Law of God a curse and say that it was done away with? Does he contradict himself and call into question the validity of scripture? Or maybe Paul just had a multiple personality disorder? I think it is time to really search out Paul's arguments and reconcile his seemingly opposing statements. I don't want to bring a false accusation against Paul like they did against Stephen in Acts 6:13-14.
And this is just about Paul. What did John, James and most importantly the Messiah say about the law? Did Jesus really come to abolish the law? Did he really teach his followers to leave the Old Testament behind? Did he come to establish the new religion of Christianity, or was he a follower of God's law? What would David, who wrote Psalm 119 have thought about the Messiah coming to remove the commands of God? What is the difference between the new and old covenant anyway? And what effect might our theology have on the Jews accepting or rejecting their Jewish Messiah? I hope to address these in the future.
I am sorry if I sound preachy, or if what I am presenting messes with your theology. I am not here to start a fight. I've seen enough quarrelling in the body of Messiah, and it makes me sick. I simply want to start a conversation, out of love for God and care for each other. Please message me if you want to ask a challenging question. I don't pretend to know everything. I have a lot of “now-what's” floating around my head. But I do believe this to be the truth. So “Come now, and let us reason together”. -Isaiah 1:18
Want to hear what the theologians have to say on the matter? I recommend this documentary, Quest for the Real Paul, made by the Church of God. I do not know much of what they believe, but on Paul and the law I agree. Besides, almost all the theologians they interviewed to make their case believe for one reason or another that OT law is largely irrelevant and unnecessary. So it seems very fair and balanced. Check out it below.
BUT please, do not believe me, search out the scriptures for yourself. Test everything (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Search it out with the scriptures (Acts 17:11). We have a responsibility as followers of Christ to know the scriptures and be in them everyday so that we are not lead astray. That is why I ask you please not to take my word for it. If something I say does not hold up against the scriptures TOSS IT OUT!
So I know there are many verses that sound like Paul is against the law, but before reasoning those out, I think it is necessary to show the verses that show things that he said to show his support of the law. If we can establish this as a base, it will help to reshape our understanding of the verses that sound anti-law.
Romans 2:13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
Romans 2:18 [speaking to the Jews] if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law...
Romans 2:20 ...because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth – you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself?
Romans 2:23 You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
Romans 3:1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
Romans 3:20 ...through the law we become conscious of sin.
Romans 3:31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Romans 7:7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law.
Romans 7:10 ...the very commandment that was intended to bring life...
Romans 7:12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
Romans 7:13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good...
Romans 7:16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good
Romans 7:22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law
Romans 7:25 So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law
Romans 8:3-4 And so he condemned sin in sinful man in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us...
Romans 8:7 ... the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
1 Timothy 1:8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful... – and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God...
Notice Paul is equating sound doctrine with the law, just like it says in Proverbs 4:2, “For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.”
2 Timothy 3:15-16 ... from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness...
And here ask yourself the question, “What scriptures did they have in the first century when this was written?”
Acts 21:17-26 Paul... went to see James and all the elders were present. ...They said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses... so do what we tell you... take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. ...The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.
Acts24:14 I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets...
Acts 25:8 Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple...”
Acts 28:17 Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors...”
Paul uses the Biblical Feast days found in the law to teach, he keeps time by them, he observes them and even tells others to observe them:
1Cor 15:20-23 Christ the firstfruits (Lev 23:9-14);
1Cor 5:7 Christ our Passover);
Acts 18:21 “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem” NKJV (some versions omit this phrase)
Acts 20:6 Paul sails to Philippi after Unleavened Bread;
Acts 20:16 Paul wanted to arrive in time for Pentecost/Shavuot;
Acts 27:9 “sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement”
1Cor 5:8 “Therefore let us keep the feast”
So what do you think? Did Paul call the Law of God a curse and say that it was done away with? Does he contradict himself and call into question the validity of scripture? Or maybe Paul just had a multiple personality disorder? I think it is time to really search out Paul's arguments and reconcile his seemingly opposing statements. I don't want to bring a false accusation against Paul like they did against Stephen in Acts 6:13-14.
And this is just about Paul. What did John, James and most importantly the Messiah say about the law? Did Jesus really come to abolish the law? Did he really teach his followers to leave the Old Testament behind? Did he come to establish the new religion of Christianity, or was he a follower of God's law? What would David, who wrote Psalm 119 have thought about the Messiah coming to remove the commands of God? What is the difference between the new and old covenant anyway? And what effect might our theology have on the Jews accepting or rejecting their Jewish Messiah? I hope to address these in the future.
I am sorry if I sound preachy, or if what I am presenting messes with your theology. I am not here to start a fight. I've seen enough quarrelling in the body of Messiah, and it makes me sick. I simply want to start a conversation, out of love for God and care for each other. Please message me if you want to ask a challenging question. I don't pretend to know everything. I have a lot of “now-what's” floating around my head. But I do believe this to be the truth. So “Come now, and let us reason together”. -Isaiah 1:18
Want to hear what the theologians have to say on the matter? I recommend this documentary, Quest for the Real Paul, made by the Church of God. I do not know much of what they believe, but on Paul and the law I agree. Besides, almost all the theologians they interviewed to make their case believe for one reason or another that OT law is largely irrelevant and unnecessary. So it seems very fair and balanced. Check out it below.