In Galatians 2:19 Paul states that He is dead to the Law in context to the topic of circumcision and new converts not having to be circumcised anymore physically. Circumcision is of the Book of the Law. There is a spiritual circumcision made without hands. But what we are speaking of is physically keeping the Law.
The death to the Law Paul mentions in verse 2:19 is said in context to Paul being dead and Living spiritually through Christ living in Him and Christ's faith being manifested.
In respect to Christ now living vicariously through and with Paul, Paul continues to say if righteousness is of the Law and not of this faith, then Christ died for nothing.
A distinction is made which is missed by most and is extremely important in relation to what we speak. It is said In context to Christ living in and through us and us not having to be circumcised anymore which is of the Law. If while we are in this state we are found to be sinners, is Christ the minister of sin, since He is living in and through us? God forbid Paul continues, if we build again the things we destroyed we make ourselves transgressors!
In this we see at least two things that need to be noted. For one sin is still sin. And as Paul states in Rom.3 and 7, we would not know sin but by the Law, for by the Law is the knowledge of sin. And the secondly, circumcision is not part of this sin to which we can be found in. This work of the Law has been and is being fulfilled in us through Christ and the physical work of this Law is not needed. There has been a change in the Book of Law in respect to how it is manifested. Christ now lives vicariously through through and with us and we have been circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in the putting of the body of sin. For we who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Know you not that we who have been baptized into Christ have been baptized into His death and are risen with Him that the Body of sin be destroyed, That henceforth we do not serve sin. For He that is dead is dead to sin is therefore freed from sin and alive unto God through Christ.
That brings us to another note worthy of our attention. Through the Faith OF Christ We are dead to sin and we are dead to the Law as Galatians and Romans puts forth. How so? The old man, the Body of sin has been destroyed. It is no longer I, but Christ Jesus. And the Life we now live in the flesh we live by the Faith OF the Son of God who Gave Himself for Us. So sin is to be out of the equation for us who are in Christ and He in us that the world might believe. Paul is showing us we do not live by the Book of the Law any more but by Christ and His Spirit. So He, we are dead to the Law. Manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ, Written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
This is brought even clearer to us to verses 2-5 in chapter 3 in Galatians where we see the Spirit is mentioned in respect to the hearing of faith. If we are now dead but alive and it is Christ living in us and we now live by the Faith OF the Son of God who gave Himself for us we have His Spirit and have begun in the Spirit and are hearing the Faith that we are now living by that is OF Christ. We are not made perfect by the flesh, justified by the works of the Law but by listening to the Spirit, hearkening unto the hearing of the Faith of Christ.
This hearing of faith, hearkening unto the Spirit of Christ is said in Context to verse 6. Where it states as a direct comparison, EVEN AS, JUST AS Abraham believed God.
Abraham heard God and believed and acted. So we of the Faith of Christ Hear God believe and Act. We as He have the hearing of Faith. Not because of the Law, but because of Christ, His Spirit, Faith in us. Being dead, but alive in and through Christ We do because of who we are in Christ not because of the Book of the Law, and external source. But because of the changed heart through Christ. We are a new creature. All is new and of God. His Word is in our heart that we do it. That is the word of Faith in which we preach. As God has said. He will put His Law in our hearts and iin our minds. And our sins and iniquities will no longer be brought to His remembrance.
Now one might of forgot that physical circumcision is no longer a requirement and by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified as chapter 2 plainly stated. And say if the Law, His Word is in our hearts we will keep God's Holy days and if we do not we are sinning. That is a problem. Circumcision and All the holy days accept the Sabbath of Creation were instituted because of the fall in the Garden of Eden. Every last one of them. And every last one of them Paul states He is dead to in chapter 2 when he states he is dead to the Law and not Justified by doing it. Mind you sin still exists (prayerfully not in us) and is defined by the Law. But as was stated by Paul, circumcision is not one of those laws that defines sin. Therefore we do not have to do it. And as we progress here we will see that the days months, times and years are indeed those written in the Book of the Law instituted after and because of the Fall in the Garden of Eden. and Are also of the works of the Law in which we do not have to do, because they justified no one.
As chapter 3 stated, We are not made perfect by the works of the Law, 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. This works of the Law is being said in respect to verse 2:16 where Paul had said that we know that we are not Justified by the works of the Law if not through faith of Jesus. To be of the Law, the Book of the Law that Paul stated that he was dead to meant that you did the works of it to be justified. The Law has made no one righteous, not one. For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Through the Law, the Book of the Law is the knowledge of sin. Therefore it was our schoolmaster, tutor to bring us UNTO Christ, the Heir according to the promise. We are now the children of Abraham partakers of the promised blessedness through Christ. For we who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, male nor female, bond or freeman. We Are All One in Christ and of Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.
There is neither Jew nor Gentile. This takes us spiritually back to the time of Abraham before Sinai and the giving of the Law. We are to walk with God through believing Him, hearing the faith and hearkening unto it through Christ. Christ, The promised land, flowing with milk and honey, through the veil, that is to say Christ's flesh. Mind you we do not make the void the Law which gives us the knowledge of sin through Faith. Neigh in no way! For through Christ the Word is in our hearts. We are changed and walk with God through faith and We establish the law. We are a new creature. Be a doer of the word in your heart and not a hearer only deceiving your own selves. Look into the reflection. Do not forget what manner of man we now are in Christ. Sons of God with the Spirit, Faith of His Son crying in our hearts, Abba, Father. Redeemed from under the Law, the elements, first principles of this world. How can we Turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, first principles? Whereunto ye desire AGAIN to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? One Abraham had two sons, one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he [who was] of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman [was] by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. Brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage, that of Sinia. Be led of the Spirit, and not under the law, bondage of Sinai. Walk in the faith of Abraham, Christ Jesus with God. Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Glory in the Lord and in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto us, and we unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Behold all is new and of God. He is faithful and will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able to bear. He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. He in us, us in Him that the world might believe. Amen
Dear beloved in Christ,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ!
Thank you for your thoughtful and theologically rich reflection. It's clear that you’ve given deep meditation to Galatians and Romans, and I appreciate your desire to glorify Christ and exalt the work of the Spirit over the Law. You’re absolutely right that
in Christ, we are made new, and the Law no longer justifies us. Paul’s epistles are filled with the glorious truth of our liberty in Christ.
But I’d like to offer some pastoral clarification on
a few key objections and interpretations you’ve raised
not to argue, but to edify and build up, as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).
Objection #1: “Paul is only referring to circumcision and physical works of the Law.”
You emphasized Galatians 2:19 in the context of
circumcision, suggesting that Paul’s death to the Law refers specifically to that
ceremonial requirement. You also distinguish this from what you call "sin-defining laws."
However, Paul doesn't limit his "death to the Law" to just circumcision. In fact, the phrase
"I died to the Law so that I might live to God" (Galatians 2:19) signals a
complete transfer of allegiance from the old system of Law to the new life in Christ.
Romans 7:4 says clearly:
“You also died to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”
This includes the
entire Mosaic system ceremonial, civil, and moral not just circumcision. Why? Because
the Law is an indivisible unit. James 2:10 teaches:
“Whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”
Objection #2: “The Law is still needed because it defines sin.”
You rightly quote Romans 3:20:
“Through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.”
Amen, it was
through the Law that sin was made known. But notice Paul does not say
"through the Law comes sanctification". In fact, the Law
was never given to make us holy but to expose our need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24). Now that Christ has come, we are no longer under a tutor (Galatians 3:25).
Paul says in
Romans 6:14:
“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under Law, but under grace.”
If we live by grace and by the indwelling Holy Spirit, then
sin has no dominion over us not because of Law, but because of the Spirit of Christ living in us.
Romans 8:3-4 makes this crystal clear:
“For what the Law was powerless to do... God did by sending His own Son... in order that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
Objection #3: “We are still required to observe God’s Holy Days (except circumcision).”
Brother, I humbly but firmly disagree here. Paul actually groups
days, months, seasons, and years into the very bondage Christ freed us from.
Galatians 4:9-11 says:
“But now that you have come to know God... how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles...? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.”
Paul is not just talking about pagan rituals here but
Jewish religious observances, including Sabbaths, feasts, and festivals (Colossians 2:16–17).
“These are a shadow of things to come; the reality is found in Christ.”
These things are
fulfilled in Christ. The Law, including its calendar, served a temporary function. Now that we are
in the Light, why return to the
shadows?
What Does “Dead to the Law” Really Mean?
You powerfully quoted Galatians 2:20:
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me...”
And amen! That is the heart of the Gospel. To be “dead to the Law” is to say:
- I no longer relate to God based on rule-keeping, but on faith in Jesus.
- I do not pursue righteousness through external commands, but through the internal work of the Spirit.
- I am not striving to be accepted by God, I’m already accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6).
So, while the Law is
holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12), it was
never meant to save or sanctify. That role belongs only to
Christ and His Spirit.
Dear Brother, Walk in the Spirit, Not in the Law
Brother, I truly sense your zeal to walk righteously and that is beautiful. But the Spirit doesn’t call us back to Sinai; He calls us forward to
Zion, the city of the living God (Hebrews 12:22).
So I echo Paul’s words in
Galatians 5:1:
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Let’s not confuse
moral living with
Law-living. The Spirit produces fruit (Galatians 5:22–23) that
exceeds what the Law could ever command because it flows from the inside out.
Let us not forget:
“If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” (Galatians 5:18)
May we walk as children of promise, not of the bondwoman but of the free. May we glory in the cross of Christ, not in external observances. May we be known not for our rule keeping, but for our Spirit-filled lives that reflect Jesus Himself.
As Paul declared:
“God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ...” (Galatians 6:14)
Stay free. Stay Spirit-led. Stay rooted in Christ.
Your brother in Christ and fellow servant,
Pastor Waris,
