Gal 3:21,22 The Purpose of the Law 2

[bcbsr]

The Purpose of the Law 2

Gal 3:21,22
Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Understand that the debate is over the issue of the means of salvation. The Law makes no provision for salvation - only that Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them." (Lev 18:5) But there is no salvation from sin under the law - the sacrifices in the law only having to do with sins of ignorance and ceremonial matters. Thus while the law brings condemnation, it does not bring life. Life comes through the righteousness which is by faith. Thus one does not oppose the other, but complements the other.

"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Rom 3:19-24

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

 

[Mr. M]

The Purpose of the Law 2

Gal 3:21,22
Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Understand that the debate is over the issue of the means of salvation. The Law makes no provision for salvation - only that Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them." (Lev 18:5) But there is no salvation from sin under the law - the sacrifices in the law only having to do with sins of ignorance and ceremonial matters. Thus while the law brings condemnation, it does not bring life. Life comes through the righteousness which is by faith. Thus one does not oppose the other, but complements the other.

"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Rom 3:19-24

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

there is no salvation from sin

What does this expression 'salvation from sin mean? Is there a corresponding Greek phrase found in the Gospels or apostolic writings?

 

[bcbsr]

J

What does this expression 'salvation from sin mean? Is there a corresponding Greek phrase found in the Gospels or apostolic writings?

Just as the word "trinity" isn't found in the Bible but the concept is, so also the concept of "salvation from sin" is clearly found in the Bible. Though there is the verse Mt 1:21 "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." which is close to what you're looking for apparently.

First is salvation regarding the judgement sin incurs, namely hell, as Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24 This is also referred to as "justification" or being reckoned righteous by faith as is written in Romans 4 "What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about— but not before God. What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." and there's Acts 5:31 "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins."

So we see that "justified" is equated to being reckoned righteous by faith apart from works, which is also equated to God forgetting one's sins.

Secondly is salvation from the power of sin, both concepts of which are encapsulated in Paul's statement, "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." Rom 6:18 This spoken of previously in Rom 6:6,7 "we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." And it's even commanded to reckon this the case "reckon yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." Rom 6:11 What is being reckoned is first of all we reckoned ourselves justified from sin such that we are free from the condemnation that sin brings, and secondly we reckon that sin, though present as a squatter in our house, does not have power over our behavior. John writes, "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God." 1John 3:9 And thus he concludes that those who leave the faith were never really of it to begin with. "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." 1John 2:19

There, that will give you plenty to comment upon I'm sure.

 

[Mr. M]

Rom 6:11 What is being reckoned is first of all we reckoned ourselves justified from sin such that we are free from the condemnation that sin brings, and secondly we reckon that sin, though present as a squatter in our house, does not have power over our behavior.

This is right along the lines that I was thinking. As in:Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
The reason I was drawing attention to this is that many presentations of the Gospel emphasize the idea of going to heaven when you die. Salvation from sin, i.e. the sinful nature pertains to life, abiding in the Spirit as we are renewed in the spirit of our mind, to conform to the image of Christ. "I am being saved", not I am saved, as you show from 1 John 2:19.
Philippians 2:12b. work out your salvation in fear and trembling...
Matthew 24:13. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.