- Oct 29, 2017
- 55,182
- 8,132
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Messianic
- Marital Status
- Private
Continued from: Romans Chapter 2
Romans 3 (CLV)
1 What, then, is the prerogative of the Jew, or what the benefit of circumcision? 2 Much in every manner. For first, indeed, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God."
What? Paul is saying that there is much benefit in EVERY manner for circumcision?
Wow! I don't hear this message being driven home from the modern pulpits.
What is this oracle?
a person (such as a priestess of ancient Greece) through whom a deity is believed to speak
Paul's defense, for circumcision having value, is the Torah. Obviously Paul is not abolishing the Torah.
3 For what if some disbelieve? Will not their unbelief nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 May it not be coming to that!
YHWH is true to his word, regardless of whether or not you believe in it, or him.
Now let God be true, yet every man a liar, even as it is written: "That so Thou shouldst be justified in Thy sayings, And shalt be conquering when Thou art being judged." 5 Now if our injustice is commending God's righteousness, what shall we declare? Not that God Who is bringing on indignation is unjust! (As a man am I saying it.)" 6 May it not be coming to that! Else how shall God be judging the world? 7 Yet if the truth of God superabounds in my lie, for His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner, 8 and why not say, according as we are calumniated and according as some are averring that we are saying, that "We should be doing evil that good may be coming"? - whose judgment is fair." 9 What, then? Are we privileged? Undoubtedly not, for we previously charge both Jews and Greeks to be all under sin, 10 according as it is written, that "Not one is just- not even one." 11 Not one is understanding. Not one is seeking out God. 12 All avoid Him: at the same time they were useless. Not one is doing kindness: there is not even one!" 13 A sepulcher opened is their throat. With their tongues they defraud."The venom of asps is under their lips." 14 Whose mouth with imprecation and bitterness is crammed. 15 Sharp are their feet to shed blood. 16 Bruises and wretchedness are in their ways, 17 And the way of peace they do not know." 18 There is no fear of God in front of their eyes.
Lawlessness.
Obviously those verses don't describe those who have come to faith.
19 Now we are aware that, whatever the law is saying, it is speaking to those under the law, that every mouth may be barred, and the entire world may become subject to the just verdict of God,
Paul makes it clear that those who break the law, are under the law; and that they'll be left speechless upon verdict. Those who break the law are under the consequence of breaking the law.
20 because, by works of law, no flesh at all shall be justified in His sight, for through law is the recognition of sin."
What is sin?
(CLV) 1Jn 3:4
Everyone who is doing sin, is doing lawlessness also, and sin is lawlessness.
Should we then abandon the law?
Of course not! Works of the law is obedience to the law. It's against the law to speed in the U.S.. People who respect that law make a conscious effort to stay within the limits; however they inevitably get distracted sometimes and exceed them. Maybe they don't get caught; because their normal mode of behavior is to respect the law. YHWH sees all.
Now, one day maybe a law abiding driver does get caught. Maybe it was the first time in his life that he was ever distracted. Is that a defense for the violation; that he never broke the law before? NO! He wasn't supposed to break the law. Keeping the law is what was expected of him; but a righteous judge will take the driver's will to obedience into consideration, and extend grace.
21 Yet now, apart from law, a righteousness of God is manifest (being attested by the law and the prophets), 22 yet a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ's faith, for all, and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction, 23 for all sinned and are wanting of the glory of God. 24 Being justified gratuitously in His grace, through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus" 25 (Whom God purposed for a Propitiatory shelter, through faith in His blood, for a display of His righteousness because of the passing over of the penalties of sins which occurred before in the forbearance of God),
This passage pertains to YHWH's righteousness, as in his patience, he passes over former sins, for those who come to faith. Does this mean that the law is abolished? Of course not, When the judge shows grace for a misstep; it's not a free pass to continue in lawlessness.
(CLV) 1Jn 3:9
Everyone who is begotten of God is not doing sin, for His seed is remaining in him, and he can not be sinning, for he is begotten of God.
26 toward the display of His righteousness in the current era, for Him to be just and a Justifier of the one who is of the faith of Jesus." 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is debarred! Through what law? 28 Of works? No! But through faith's law.
Obviously it wasn't all aspects of the law that were nailed to the torture stake. Paul speaks of many varieties of law. I haven't been able to find second witnesses to define the terminology that Paul uses; but he has written many letters. As we go through these letters, hopefully we can gain an understanding of the definitions of these types of law that Paul refers to.
The law of faith. Very interesting. Which law was nailed to the torture stake? I suspect that it was the law of sin and death; the judgements as the passage beginning with verse 21 begins to reveal; but let's not get ahead of ourselves. We'll go through this step by step.
For we are reckoning a man to be justified by faith apart from works of law.
By YHWH's righteousness, grace, to his glory, as you submit to him in faith, thereby in obedience to his law.
Paul covered this in the previous chapter.
(CLV) Ro 2:13
For not the listeners to law are just with God, but the doers of law shall be justified.
29 Or is He the god of the Jews only? Is He not of the nations also?
One law.
(CLV) Ex 12:49
One law shall there be for both the native and for the sojourner sojourning in your midst.
30 Yes, of the nations also, if so be that God is One, Who will be justifying the Circumcision out of faith and the Uncircumcision through faith." 31 Are we, then, nullifying law through faith? May it not be coming to that! Nay, we are sustaining law."
...And that is the final word on this chapter. Paul makes it clear that even though our obedience to YHWH's law, is not the source of our salvation; YHWH's law will be sustained by those who have faith in him and his word. His law is truth.
(CLV) Ps 119:142
Your righteousness is eonian righteousness, And Your law is truth.
(CLV) 1Jn 2:4
He who is saying that "I know Him" and is not keeping His precepts, is a liar, and the truth of God is not in this one.
Remember, Paul opened this letter by saying that faith brings us to obedience.
In this chapter Paul has introduced his first legal title regarding law:
Faith's Law or The Law of Faith.
Let us carry this term with us throughout this letter.
============================================
UPDATE:
This chapter opens up talking about circumcision. That is what is being discussed in Galatians 2. There too, Paul mentions works of law, in the context of circumcision,
Food for thought:
Paul on the Law: Galatians 2
16 having perceived that a man is not being justified by works of law, except alone through the faith of Christ Jesus, we also believe in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by the faith of Christ and not by works of law, seeing that by works of law shall no flesh at all be justified."
What law is this? Let's look at what Paul said in Romans:
(CLV) Ro 2:13
For not the listeners to law are just with God, but the doers of law shall be justified.
Now I don't believe that Paul had mental issues. Obviously "Works of Law" is something different than the Torah.
Paul kept the Torah:
(CLV) Ac 24:14
"Yet I am avowing this to you, that, according to the way which they are terming a sect, thus am I offering divine service to the hereditary God, believing all that is written, according to the law and in the prophets,
I don't see "Works of Law" mentioned in the Torah. I don't see it mentioned of it by Yahshua. Where is Paul getting this?
It is mentioned 1 time in Romans and 6 times in Galatians.
It is also mentioned in the Qumran Scrolls.
Q394 (4QMMTa) 4QHalakhic Letter
Dead Sea Scrolls Project: 4QMMT
Definition of halacha
: the body of Jewish law supplementing the scriptural law and forming especially the legal part of the Talmud
Definition of HALACHA
==========================================
Legal Terms:
The Law of Faith (Ch 3)
A Different Law (Ch 7)
The Law of My Mind (Ch 7)
The Law of Sin (Sin's Law) (Ch 7)
God's Law (Ch 7)
The Spirit's Law of Life (Ch 8)
The Law of Sin and Death (Ch 8)
The Law of Righteousness (Ch 9)
Romans Chapter 4
Romans 3 (CLV)
1 What, then, is the prerogative of the Jew, or what the benefit of circumcision? 2 Much in every manner. For first, indeed, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God."
What? Paul is saying that there is much benefit in EVERY manner for circumcision?
Wow! I don't hear this message being driven home from the modern pulpits.
What is this oracle?
a person (such as a priestess of ancient Greece) through whom a deity is believed to speak
Paul's defense, for circumcision having value, is the Torah. Obviously Paul is not abolishing the Torah.
3 For what if some disbelieve? Will not their unbelief nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 May it not be coming to that!
YHWH is true to his word, regardless of whether or not you believe in it, or him.
Now let God be true, yet every man a liar, even as it is written: "That so Thou shouldst be justified in Thy sayings, And shalt be conquering when Thou art being judged." 5 Now if our injustice is commending God's righteousness, what shall we declare? Not that God Who is bringing on indignation is unjust! (As a man am I saying it.)" 6 May it not be coming to that! Else how shall God be judging the world? 7 Yet if the truth of God superabounds in my lie, for His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner, 8 and why not say, according as we are calumniated and according as some are averring that we are saying, that "We should be doing evil that good may be coming"? - whose judgment is fair." 9 What, then? Are we privileged? Undoubtedly not, for we previously charge both Jews and Greeks to be all under sin, 10 according as it is written, that "Not one is just- not even one." 11 Not one is understanding. Not one is seeking out God. 12 All avoid Him: at the same time they were useless. Not one is doing kindness: there is not even one!" 13 A sepulcher opened is their throat. With their tongues they defraud."The venom of asps is under their lips." 14 Whose mouth with imprecation and bitterness is crammed. 15 Sharp are their feet to shed blood. 16 Bruises and wretchedness are in their ways, 17 And the way of peace they do not know." 18 There is no fear of God in front of their eyes.
Lawlessness.
Obviously those verses don't describe those who have come to faith.
19 Now we are aware that, whatever the law is saying, it is speaking to those under the law, that every mouth may be barred, and the entire world may become subject to the just verdict of God,
Paul makes it clear that those who break the law, are under the law; and that they'll be left speechless upon verdict. Those who break the law are under the consequence of breaking the law.
20 because, by works of law, no flesh at all shall be justified in His sight, for through law is the recognition of sin."
What is sin?
(CLV) 1Jn 3:4
Everyone who is doing sin, is doing lawlessness also, and sin is lawlessness.
Should we then abandon the law?
Of course not! Works of the law is obedience to the law. It's against the law to speed in the U.S.. People who respect that law make a conscious effort to stay within the limits; however they inevitably get distracted sometimes and exceed them. Maybe they don't get caught; because their normal mode of behavior is to respect the law. YHWH sees all.
Now, one day maybe a law abiding driver does get caught. Maybe it was the first time in his life that he was ever distracted. Is that a defense for the violation; that he never broke the law before? NO! He wasn't supposed to break the law. Keeping the law is what was expected of him; but a righteous judge will take the driver's will to obedience into consideration, and extend grace.
21 Yet now, apart from law, a righteousness of God is manifest (being attested by the law and the prophets), 22 yet a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ's faith, for all, and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction, 23 for all sinned and are wanting of the glory of God. 24 Being justified gratuitously in His grace, through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus" 25 (Whom God purposed for a Propitiatory shelter, through faith in His blood, for a display of His righteousness because of the passing over of the penalties of sins which occurred before in the forbearance of God),
This passage pertains to YHWH's righteousness, as in his patience, he passes over former sins, for those who come to faith. Does this mean that the law is abolished? Of course not, When the judge shows grace for a misstep; it's not a free pass to continue in lawlessness.
(CLV) 1Jn 3:9
Everyone who is begotten of God is not doing sin, for His seed is remaining in him, and he can not be sinning, for he is begotten of God.
26 toward the display of His righteousness in the current era, for Him to be just and a Justifier of the one who is of the faith of Jesus." 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is debarred! Through what law? 28 Of works? No! But through faith's law.
Obviously it wasn't all aspects of the law that were nailed to the torture stake. Paul speaks of many varieties of law. I haven't been able to find second witnesses to define the terminology that Paul uses; but he has written many letters. As we go through these letters, hopefully we can gain an understanding of the definitions of these types of law that Paul refers to.
The law of faith. Very interesting. Which law was nailed to the torture stake? I suspect that it was the law of sin and death; the judgements as the passage beginning with verse 21 begins to reveal; but let's not get ahead of ourselves. We'll go through this step by step.
For we are reckoning a man to be justified by faith apart from works of law.
By YHWH's righteousness, grace, to his glory, as you submit to him in faith, thereby in obedience to his law.
Paul covered this in the previous chapter.
(CLV) Ro 2:13
For not the listeners to law are just with God, but the doers of law shall be justified.
29 Or is He the god of the Jews only? Is He not of the nations also?
One law.
(CLV) Ex 12:49
One law shall there be for both the native and for the sojourner sojourning in your midst.
30 Yes, of the nations also, if so be that God is One, Who will be justifying the Circumcision out of faith and the Uncircumcision through faith." 31 Are we, then, nullifying law through faith? May it not be coming to that! Nay, we are sustaining law."
...And that is the final word on this chapter. Paul makes it clear that even though our obedience to YHWH's law, is not the source of our salvation; YHWH's law will be sustained by those who have faith in him and his word. His law is truth.
(CLV) Ps 119:142
Your righteousness is eonian righteousness, And Your law is truth.
(CLV) 1Jn 2:4
He who is saying that "I know Him" and is not keeping His precepts, is a liar, and the truth of God is not in this one.
Remember, Paul opened this letter by saying that faith brings us to obedience.
In this chapter Paul has introduced his first legal title regarding law:
Faith's Law or The Law of Faith.
Let us carry this term with us throughout this letter.
============================================
UPDATE:
This chapter opens up talking about circumcision. That is what is being discussed in Galatians 2. There too, Paul mentions works of law, in the context of circumcision,
Food for thought:
Paul on the Law: Galatians 2
16 having perceived that a man is not being justified by works of law, except alone through the faith of Christ Jesus, we also believe in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by the faith of Christ and not by works of law, seeing that by works of law shall no flesh at all be justified."
What law is this? Let's look at what Paul said in Romans:
(CLV) Ro 2:13
For not the listeners to law are just with God, but the doers of law shall be justified.
Now I don't believe that Paul had mental issues. Obviously "Works of Law" is something different than the Torah.
Paul kept the Torah:
(CLV) Ac 24:14
"Yet I am avowing this to you, that, according to the way which they are terming a sect, thus am I offering divine service to the hereditary God, believing all that is written, according to the law and in the prophets,
I don't see "Works of Law" mentioned in the Torah. I don't see it mentioned of it by Yahshua. Where is Paul getting this?
It is mentioned 1 time in Romans and 6 times in Galatians.
It is also mentioned in the Qumran Scrolls.
Q394 (4QMMTa) 4QHalakhic Letter
Dead Sea Scrolls Project: 4QMMT
Definition of halacha
: the body of Jewish law supplementing the scriptural law and forming especially the legal part of the Talmud
Definition of HALACHA
==========================================
Legal Terms:
The Law of Faith (Ch 3)
A Different Law (Ch 7)
The Law of My Mind (Ch 7)
The Law of Sin (Sin's Law) (Ch 7)
God's Law (Ch 7)
The Spirit's Law of Life (Ch 8)
The Law of Sin and Death (Ch 8)
The Law of Righteousness (Ch 9)
Romans Chapter 4
Last edited: