Galatians 3: Under The Law?

[BABerean2]

I know this passage is believed to show that the transfer was made from the seventh day Sabbath to the first day. However, if you look carefully at the verse and understand that days were reckoned differently in Christ's time, you will see this event happened at the end of Sabbath sundown. After Sabbath was ended, upon (beginning) the first day, the disciples gathered for a meal and Paul taught them for a few hours til midnight. Paul was departing on the morrow, the continuation of the first day of the week... Sunday morning to us.

In other words the text does not really mean what it says...

(ESV) On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.

(Geneva) And the first day of the weeke, the disciples being come together to breake bread, Paul preached vnto them, ready to depart on the morrow, and continued the preaching vnto midnight.

(GW) On Sunday we met to break bread. Paul was discussing Scripture with the people. Since he intended to leave the next day, he kept talking until midnight.

(LITV-TSP) And on the first of the week, the disciples having been assembled to break bread, being about to depart on the morrow, Paul reasoned to them. And he continued his speech until midnight.

(KJV) And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.


(KJV+) And G1161 upon G1722 the G3588 first G3391 day of the G3588 week, G4521 when the G3588 disciples G3101 came together G4863 to break G2806 bread, G740 Paul G3972 preached G1256 unto them, G846 ready G3195 to depart G1826 on the G3588 morrow; G1887 and G5037 continued G3905 his speech G3056 until G3360 midnight. G3317

Check the interlinear interpretation from BibleHub.

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/acts/20-7.htm

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[faroukfarouk]

I have a question. Say the old covenant/the law still stands/applies to us Christians today. Say that you are a new Christian, just brought into the faith through baptism, and therefore have accepted the forgiveness bought for you on the Cross. What happens next?

I'm not sure about your wording; baptism is a symbol for believers in the Lord Jesus; but it is the new birth that happens when we truly believe in Him for salvation.

Regarding, the law, it is hard to understand that anyone reading Galatians and Hebrews stills thinks that the New Testament believer is under the law.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Are you claiming any man could have done what Christ did? Because uh, that's utter nonsense. No one without a perfect connection to and understanding of the Father could follow the Law without fail- Jesus was the only one who could. Even now, if you were to pick the most holy, most righteous, most in-tune with God man on the planet, he wouldn't be enough.

"By (LAW: NO) grace are ye saved through (LAW: NO) faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the (LAW: NO) gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast". Ephesians 2.8-9

 

[bugkiller]

We have all sinned, so obviously couldn't be like Christ... but He has made a way, through His Spirit and Grace to impart to us right doing by us surrendering to His Will. Once self dies completely, then what God is doing in and through me is not my doing... understand? This not about me, it's about His power, His mercy and His will. The spiritual gifts we are promised through submission and petition, are what give us the ability to perfectly honour the Law as Jesus did.

What does receiving the Holy Spirit in power mean to you guys? Did not Christ receive the Spirit with power at His baptism? Was it not through supplication to His Father daily that gave Him the strength to withstand Satan's continuous plan to thwart the work of Christ? How will we be able to endure and remain faithful during the coming tribulation, a time of persecution that has never been witnessed before on this earth (think about that for a brief moment and let it sink in), if we don't surrender completely to His Spirit to receive the power? If you don't believe God is able, then how can you receive? Where's faith?

You need to study Romans deeply.

bugkiller

 

[Sophrosyne]

A covenant requires two party participation...

and when it is broken by one party the other isn't obligated to continue in the agreement

 

[Sophrosyne]

We are accountable for any known sin.... not to carry it around like a badge but to lay it at the feet of Christ. Of course the blood redeems but we are also part of this covenant and must ask to receive. Forgiveness is triggered by repentance... no repentance, your sin condemns you.

Did God forgive all our sins on the cross or just a few of them and does Jesus have to come back and jump on the cross again each time we sin?

 

[Sophrosyne]

You need to study Romans deeply.

bugkiller

I don't think the SDA's are allowed to study the Bible, unless their group has blasted out the offending scriptures with a shotgun that they don't accept

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

I don't think the SDA's are allowed to study the Bible, unless their group has blasted out the offending scriptures with a shotgun that they don't accept

Lol...

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

and when it is broken by one party the other isn't obligated to continue in the agreement

So you are saying we have no covenant?

 

[bugkiller]

So you are saying we have no covenant?

The covenant the Christians participate in is a one way unconditional covenant of no obligation (performance) by the receiver (Christian). As Christians we don't have preform to participate in the covenant we have.

bugkiller

 

[Sophrosyne]

So you are saying we have no covenant?

We have a New One...... the Old One was broken such that God decided to replace it entirely with one that could be kept (by Jesus alone on our behalf).

 

[Sophrosyne]

The covenant the Christians participate in is a one way unconditional covenant of no obligation (performance) by the receiver (Christian). As Christians we don't have preform to participate in the covenant we have.

bugkiller

Exactly.... the covenant is already completed by Jesus, one by faith accepts the completed covenant.

 

[Bob S]

So you are saying we have no covenant?

yep, that is true, you have no covenant because it is now only history. Jesus fulfilled the Torah covenant, ratified a new covenant with His own blood. You have ellen and the retired covenant and we have the Holy Spirit and the new and better covenant of Grace. Choose this day.....

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

We have a New One...... the Old One was broken such that God decided to replace it entirely with one that could be kept (by Jesus alone on our behalf).

And the fact that Christianity has broken the terms of this contract means what exactly? If you don't think it's been violated then we are on two separate pages...

 

[Sophrosyne]

And the fact that Christianity has broken the terms of this contract means what exactly? If you don't think it's been violated then we are on two separate pages...

Christianity has broken no contract at all, the Contract was with Israel only and was violated (broken) by them according to the Bible itself. We are on separate pages because the pages I am on are in the bible and the pages you are on are NOT in the Bible.

 

[disciple1]

If you or I commit adultery, steal, murder, idolize, not keep Sabbath etc, we are guilt of sin, are we not... well obviously, you don't ascribe to the last tenet even though it holds the same weight and was written in the same stone by the same finger that the other nine were.


Great example showing that Abraham was not justified through works but through faith, just as we are. Was Abraham obedient to all God had asked of him? of course, the same as we are to be obedient to all God has asked of us.

This concept is impossible to grasp, I believe, unless one realizes that the Decalogue given at Sinai is the same Commandments that Christ gave. The summation of the 10 is in the 2 given by Christ because they can now be seen in their spiritual light. Did not Abraham obey God's Commandments because of love and reverence for Him? This is the failure of the Israelites as a nation, they never came to the realization that the Commandments were not grievous. Look at how David spoke of the Law... he understood that it was the basis for our relationship with God, that it was based on God's Love.

Galatians chapter 4 verse 21-31
Tell me you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? For it is written that Abraham had two sons,one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.
These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: "be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband. Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. But what does the Scripture say? Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

Christianity has broken no contract at all, the Contract was with Israel only and was violated (broken) by them according to the Bible itself. We are on separate pages because the pages I am on are in the bible and the pages you are on are NOT in the Bible.

You say the contract was with Israel only, yet you say we are under the new covenant... so what are our roles and responsibilities in this new covenant/contract? We know what Christ has pledged...

 

[Sophrosyne]

You say the contract was with Israel only, yet you say we are under the new covenant... so what are our roles and responsibilities in this new covenant/contract? We know what Christ has pledged...

The old covenant (contract) was with Israel only, the NEW covenant (contract) AFTER the cross INCLUDES Gentiles (not of Israel) also.
The New Testament lists the roles and responsibilities of Christians starting in the book of ACTS when Paul is recruited by Jesus as the official apostle to the Gentiles and through his writings and other writings in context we see that our main responsibility is to put our faith in Jesus for salvation, to love our neighbor.

 

[BobRyan]

Galatians chapter 4 verse 21-31
Tell me you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? For it is written that Abraham had two sons,one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.
These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: "be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband. Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. But what does the Scripture say? Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

The term "under the LAW" in Gal 4 -- means under the obligation of the ceremonial law apart from faith.

Rom 9
30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.

1 John 3:4 - "SIN IS transgression of the LAW" both in OT and also by NT standards

So then in Rom 6 Paul speaks about the obligation not to SIN - even though not "under the law" -- not under the condemnation of the LAW.

Rom 6
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered

1 john 2:1 "these things I write to you that you sin NOT"

The Covenant at Sinai with Israel included
"Love your neighbor as yourself" Lev 19:18

And 40 years later Moses reminds them --
"Love God with all your heart" Deut 6:5

So then why is Paul associating Sinai with the old covenant in Gal 4?

Because the ceremonial law is no longer in effect.

1 Cor 7:19 "what matters is KEEPING the Commandments of God" as compared to the ceremonial laws such as circumcision - as we see in this example from 1Cor 7:19

 

[Bro.T]

Note: If you want to debate this issue, please read through this commentary or just about enough to grasp the meaning of this thread. Thank you!

Before we begin this commentary on Galatians 3, I would like to establish a foundation on a certain scripture:

2 Peter 3:16-17 KJV - "As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked [lawless in other translations such as the NIV, NLT, ESV, BSB, BLB, HCSB, ISV, and the ABPE], fall from your own stedfastness."

Paul’s letters could be misunderstood by those who are unlearned and unstable in the Scriptures. During the time of Paul, the only Scriptures that they had were the Tanakh and some of his letters up to that point. When the Scriptures are misunderstood by those who do not know the them, they will twist it to their destruction and it will lead to lawlessness.

1 John 3:4 KJV - "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."

Since sin is transgression of Torah, these people Peter was talking about were misunderstanding the Tanakh and Paul’s letters which lead them to twist it to their destruction and to transgress Torah. Therefore we can say that Scriptures can be misunderstood to allow transgression of Torah if someone is unlearned or unstable in it.

Galatians 3:1 KJV - "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?"

Galatians 3:2 KJV - "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"

Galatians 3:3 KJV - "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?"

Galatians 3:4 KJV - "Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain."

Galatians 3:5 KJV - "He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"

The Galatians believed that observing Torah would provide the Spirit, perfection, and miracles. In fact, this is the context of the entire letter. In reality, these things come only through the blood of Yeshua HaMashiach. Without this context, one may be swayed to think that the fault of the Galatians was observing Torah. Remember, one must understand the Scriptures to fully understand Paul’s letters.

Galatians 3:6 KJV - "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Galatians 3:7 KJV - "Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham."

Galatians 3:8 KJV - "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed."

Galatians 3:9 KJV - "So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham."

Abraham’s belief in YHWH made him righteous, not his works. Remember, the whole context of Galatians 3 is works-based faith, not faith-based works. YHWH justified the Gentiles through faith which grafted us into Israel. We now are blessed, with Abraham, by YHWH because of faith. Again, our works do not justify.

Galatians 3:10 KJV - "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."

What does it mean to be “of the works of the law”? Remember the context? The Galatians were trying to receive atonement through Torah. If we apply this context to this scripture then we will see that the Galatians were under Torah for atonement and have not been redeemed by the curse like believers have as seen in Galatians 3:13. They would have to observe Torah perfectly to attain atonement, which by definition is impossible. So what is this curse? It cannot be Torah because it blesses those who keep it according to Psalm 119:1-2:

Psalm 119:1-2 KJV - "ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart."

In fact, the answer is in Galatians 3:13. Notice how it says the “curse of the law”. That has nothing to do with Torah being a curse, but rather it has a curse that Yeshua redeemed us from. Torah has both blessings and curses as seen in Deuteronomy 28. But again, what is this so called curse? Consider Romans 6:23, Romans 8:2, and Hebrews 9:22:

Romans 6:23 KJV - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 8:2 KJV - "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

Hebrews 9:22 KJV - "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

As we see in these scriptures, we are no longer under the law of sin and death which is a certain curse in Torah that requires a sin sacrifice to atone for sin. The problem was, the Israelites had to continually sacrifice animals. YHWH sent Yeshua to perform a sacrifice that would satisfy the law of sin and death once and for all. If the law of sin and death and the curse of Torah are the same things that Yeshua redeemed us from and if we concluded that was Torah, that would be saying that the Torah was a curse.

Galatians 3:11 KJV - "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith."

Galatians 3:12 KJV - "And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them."

Again, these scriptures reinforce the context of Galatians. We are not justified by Torah. But what does Galatians 3:12 mean? Just like in Galatians 3:10, if you observe Torah for atonement, you must live in them and attain your own atonement through them.

Galatians 3:13 KJV - "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"

As noted in former comments, the curse of Torah is the law of sin and death, not Torah itself.

Galatians 3:14 KJV - "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

Through Yeshua HaMashiach we are heirs of Abraham as noted in Galatians 3:7. Because he “hanged on a tree” in Galatians 3:13, we now have access to the Spirit through faith in Him.

Galatians 3:15 KJV - "Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto."

We must not take away or add to from the Messianic covenant which came through the Abrahamic covenant.

Galatians 3:16 KJV - "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ."

There is one body, one seed, one congregation, one assembly, and one family of Messiah. It is not Israel or “church”, because Israel is the “church”. Stephen even refers to Israel as the “church” in Acts 7:38:

Acts 7:38 KJV - "This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:"

This “church” in the wilderness obviously refers to Israel. “Church” simply means congregation or assembly.

Galatians 3:17 KJV - "And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect."

Galatians 3:18 KJV - "For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise."

Abraham’s inheritance or promise was due to his faith, not due to his works just like in Galatians 3:6-9.

Galatians 3:19 KJV - "Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator."

We now know which law Paul refers to based on context. For example, this cannot refer to Torah. Look what happens when I insert the words “Torah”:

"Wherefore then serveth Torah? It was added because of breaking Torah..."

Huh? The Torah was added because people broke Torah? How could people break Torah when it has not even been added yet to begin with? So in context, this “law” cannot mean Torah but another law. Look what happens when I insert the word “law of sin and death”:

"Wherefore then serveth the law of sin and death? It was added because of breaking Torah..."

Now that makes sense! The requirement of blood for breaking Torah was revealed after because people broke it. Therefore, it was active until Yeshua HaMashiach came and took it upon himself. This is similar to Romans 8:2 and Galatians 3:13. This reinforces the context of Yeshua taking on the law of sin and death.

Galatians 3:20 KJV - "Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one."

Galatians 3:21 KJV - "Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law."

If Torah could provide atonement, it should have been the method of righteousness.

Galatians 3:22 KJV - "But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."

Now we are switching gears from Torah, to the law of sin and death. Does this mean the the law of sin and death is sin? No, it is the result of sin. If this was referring to Torah, that would be equating Torah to sin which would contradict Romans 7:7. We were all under the law of sin and death until Yeshua HaMashiach came and took it upon himself for those that would believe.

Galatians 3:23 KJV - "But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed."

Galatians 3:24 KJV - "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."

Galatians 3:25 KJV - "But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."

Remember context? The only thing seen in Galatians 3 that Yeshua HaMashiach has been redeeming us from is the law of sin and death. Before Yeshua came, we were under the law of sin and death, which was caused by sin, or breaking Torah as seen in Galatians 3:22. So why would Paul then change the context in the respect of us not being under Torah now? The whole chapter has been about faith-based works versus works-based faith and the freedom from the law of sin and death. The law of sin and death was our schoolmaster because it taught us that there is a consequence for sin. This would make us hesitant to sin and teach us not to. Now, we must understand that it is not just about not sinning, but about not wanting to sin. Consider Jeremiah 31:33 and Matthew 15:8:

Jeremiah 31:33 KJV - "But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people."

Matthew 15:8 KJV - "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."

We must have Torah in our hearts and minds, we no longer need the law of sin and death to teach us because now we have a true desire to observe Torah which came through Yeshua HaMashiach, not because we are scared of a consequence. We are no

Galatians 3:26 KJV - "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

Galatians 3:27 KJV - "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

Galatians 3:28 KJV - "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

Galatians 3:29 KJV - "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

We are all the seed of Abraham and the children of YHWH through Yeshua. In the body of Messiah and according to YHWH, there are not Jewish, Gentile, enslaved, free, male, or female believers. This does not mean that those are not characteristics in the natural world, but according to YHWH and Yeshua we are all one body of like-minded believers in Messiah.

I agree...God had Peter to clearly warn you about some of Paul’s writing. (2Peter:3:15-16) (v.15) And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; (v.16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Now you need to take heed to this warning, you can’t ignore all the bible and just concentrate on one or two verse out of the writings of Paul. Because some of Paul’s writing is hard to be understood.

Lets take another look at (Gal. 3:1, 13, 16-17, 19, 24) (v.1) O FOOLISH Ga-la’-tians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? (v.13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, CURSED IS EVERYONE THAT HANGETH ON A TREE: What law is this talking about? Let the bible speak for itself. (v.16) Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of One, AND TO THY SEED, which is Christ. (v.17) And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. Now pay attention, the law that is being spoken of here came four hundred and thirty years after this covenant. But God’s holy commandments have been around forever even before man was created. Remember that Satan was kicked out of heaven because iniquity (sin) was found in him. And what is sin? The transgression of the law (commandments). (v.19) Wherefore then serveth the law? A question is being asked here. Then why should we serve this law? It was added because of transgression, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; the law that we are talking about here was added because of sin. But we now know that sin is the transgression of the law. How do you add a law if sin is the transgression of the law? Because there are two sets of laws, you have God’s holy commandments which abided forever, and you had the animal sacrificial law which was added because of sin, but it was only good until the seed should come to whom the promise was made, and that seed was Jesus. (v.24) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. This animal sacrificial law was only a schoolmaster. And this schoolmaster taught you that when you sinned in ignorance blood had to be shed (an animal sacrificed). But Christ being the ultimate sacrifice shed his precious blood once and for all, and by doing this putting an end to the animal sacrificial law.

If you are following all of the writing of Paul, then you will find out that you are following Jesus, and if you are truly following Jesus then you are following the law of God.

Lets take a look at what Paul say in (Rom. 7:7,12) (v.7) What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, THOU SHALT NOT COVET. Paul asked a question, is the law sin? He said God forbid, he said the only way that he knew what sin was, was by the law. (v.12) Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Why in the world would a Christian want to do away with something that God said is holy. (Rom. 4:15) Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. If there is no law there is no sin. Which mean we can do as we please when we please!