Gal 4 and Gal 5 and "under Law" explained without deleting God's Commandments

[klutedavid]

Very good OP.

Do we make void the Law because of faith? God forbid. Verily, we establish the Law.

"Under Law" simply means saved by the Law ALONE. It is the same as Orthodox jews believe today. This is a mistake.

Just because we have faith in Christ does not mean we are free from the Law. We are free from eternal damnation. We are free from the spiritual consequences of breaking the Law.

Yeshua did not abolish the Law. He even said so.

So the law is in full force for the Jews?

Sacrifices, civil law, health laws, food laws, priesthood laws, circumcision?

 

[R7-12]

What does this verse say?

Romans 2:14
For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves.

Context is crucial.

Most Gentiles societies during that time were also very religious and all were pagan. However, even in pagan societies, the practice of sacrificing animals was common. The historical records clearly show that nearly all pagan groups had ritualistic sacrificial practices. The underlying principle among them was that in order to appease their god(s), it was necessary to offer sacrifices. This is what scripture refers to as the "elemental things of the world" (Gal. 4:3, 9).

Many of the Jews at that time tried to convince some of the early followers of Christ that they were required to turn back to these "weak and worthless elemental things", because they did not accept that Christ was the true perfect sacrifice, without blemish, that could take away the sins of the world. Paul admonishes the assembly in Galatia for doing just that - turning back to animal sacrifices in Gal. 4.

So the Gentiles (who do not have "the law", i.e. were not originally given the law [of sacrifice] from God), were still doing by instinct "the things of the law" - sacrificing animals to atone for sin. Consequently, this was "a law unto them", in other words, it was their own development of a sacrificial system (a law) that they believed could remove evil, but it was not given to them by God.

One important fact to understand is that just like societies today that have many figures of speech and catch-phrases, so too did the nation of Israel, the later remnant consisting mostly of the tribe of Judah (the Jews) and also the early church, and the Greeks. An example of such figures of speech includes how they used the terms "the law", "the law of Moses", and sometimes just "law." The context of each use of these terms is critical for discerning what they were precisely referring to.

In many cases throughout the NT, the phrase, "the law", "Moses' law", and "law" were used in reference to the sacrificial system. Gal. 2:14 is one example of that and there are many more.

Try re-reading the verse but substitute "the law" with "the law of sacrifice" and it should begin to make sense.

For a second witness, look at Hebrews 10:1-18. It starts in verse 1 speaking about "the law" and a little further in the same verse it becomes clear that it's referencing the law of sacrifice. This subject is continued through the following 17 verses, and after, and is speaking directly about how Christ has fulfilled the law (of sacrifice) by his own shed blood.

 

[R7-12]

So the law is in full force for the Jews?

Sacrifices, civil law, health laws, food laws, priesthood laws, circumcision?

The law was never given only to the Jews. First, it’s important to understand who the Jews are. They are the descendants of one of the tribes of Israel, namely Judah. There are eleven other tribes that also received the law. The law of God was never given to just one tribe. Remember the mixed multitude that came out of Egypt with the Hebrews - they were not Israelites but foreigners who had accepted God.

It’s also important to understand the purpose of giving the law (and in addition to the law – the commandments) to Israel. It was so that after they were obedient to it and the entire covenant they had agreed to, and be blessed immeasurably for it, then all the nations around them would see that they were the only ones who had the True God and righteous laws and commandments. Then if they also agreed to the covenant and be obedient, they too could be blessed just as Israel was,

“See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it. 6 So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him? 8 Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today?” (Dt. 4:5–8).

It’s important to discern the distinction between the two Covenants. The Law and Commandments of God remain in force, but it was applied in a physical manner in the First Covenant along with promises of physical blessings for obedience and physical curses for disobedience (Deut. 27-28).

Additionally, there was a different priesthood and temple in operation in the FC – as God intended it to be. God’s servants themselves are now the temple and the priesthood (the Melchizedek order). They are a royal priesthood and holy nation (1Pet. 2: 9). With the removal of the temple and its system (originally patterned after the heavenly temple and system – Heb. 8:4-5), and Christ as our Passover Lamb, we recognize Christ as the perfect offering for sin. We are now to become living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1).

Also, Christ revealed that the commandments of God are not only still in force, but we are to understand and apply them even more deeply than ancient Israel did. In Mat. 5 he elevated our responsibility to keep God’s commandments from a spiritual perspective,

"You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into gehenna fire [the burning rubbish pit outside of Jerusalem] (Mt. 5:21–22).

He did the same regarding sexual immorality, adultery, and simple lust of the mind. I think you get my drift.

Also, scripture is clear that the law was given for everyone’s benefit,

‘You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the sons of Israel and for the alien who sojourns among them. 30 ‘But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from among his people. 31 ‘Because he has despised the word of the LORD and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt will be on him.’ ” (Num. 15:29–31).

"Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. 31 Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law" (Rom. 3:29–31).

Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man" (all mankind)… (Mk 2:27a).

“For just as the new heavens and the new earth which I make will endure before Me,” declares the LORD, so your offspring and your name will endure. 23 “And it shall be from New Moon to New Moon and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all mankind will come to bow down before Me,” says the LORD. 24 “Then they will go forth and look on the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm will not die and their fire will not be quenched; and they will be an abhorrence to all mankind.” (Isa. 66:22–24).

So if a person rejects the Law and Commandments of God, they will not be able to understand it or how it applies today because they are not interested in truly understanding it – neither are they able to, why?

Speaking to the true followers of Christ in Rome, Paul said,

For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him (Rom. 8:6–9; RNT).

 

[BobRyan]

So the law is in full force for the Jews?

Sacrifices, civil law, health laws, food laws, priesthood laws, circumcision?

It is "still a sin" to take God's name in vain (Ex 20:7) -- even for Christians - as it turns out - for even in the NT "SIN IS transgression of the Law" 1 John 3:4

Where according to Paul - that Law written on the heart under the New Covenant includes the TEN having "honor your father and mother as the first commandment with a promise" Eph 6:2

Bible details so obvious that Bible scholars on BOTH sides of the Sabbath topic in almost ALL denominations - admit to them.

 

[BABerean2]

for even in the NT "SIN IS transgression of the Law" 1 John 3:4

1Jn 3:4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.


Same author. Same chapter.

1Jn 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
1Jn 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
1Jn 3:24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

The law was never given only to the Jews. First, it’s important to understand who the Jews are. They are the descendants of one of the tribes of Israel, namely Judah. There are eleven other tribes that also received the law. The law of God was never given to just one tribe. Remember the mixed multitude that came out of Egypt with the Hebrews - they were not Israelites but foreigners who had accepted God.

It’s also important to understand the purpose of giving the law (and in addition to the law – the commandments) to Israel. It was so that after they were obedient to it and the entire covenant they had agreed to, and be blessed immeasurably for it, then all the nations around them would see that they were the only ones who had the True God and righteous laws and commandments. Then if they also agreed to the covenant and be obedient, they too could be blessed just as Israel was,

“See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it. 6 So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him? 8 Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today?” (Dt. 4:5–8).

It’s important to discern the distinction between the two Covenants. The Law and Commandments of God remain in force, but it was applied in a physical manner in the First Covenant along with promises of physical blessings for obedience and physical curses for disobedience (Deut. 27-28).

Additionally, there was a different priesthood and temple in operation in the FC – as God intended it to be. God’s servants themselves are now the temple and the priesthood (the Melchizedek order). They are a royal priesthood and holy nation (1Pet. 2: 9). With the removal of the temple and its system (originally patterned after the heavenly temple and system – Heb. 8:4-5), and Christ as our Passover Lamb, we recognize Christ as the perfect offering for sin. We are now to become living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1).

Also, Christ revealed that the commandments of God are not only still in force, but we are to understand and apply them even more deeply than ancient Israel did. In Mat. 5 he elevated our responsibility to keep God’s commandments from a spiritual perspective,

"You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into gehenna fire [the burning rubbish pit outside of Jerusalem] (Mt. 5:21–22).

He did the same regarding sexual immorality, adultery, and simple lust of the mind. I think you get my drift.

Also, scripture is clear that the law was given for everyone’s benefit,

‘You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the sons of Israel and for the alien who sojourns among them. 30 ‘But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from among his people. 31 ‘Because he has despised the word of the LORD and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt will be on him.’ ” (Num. 15:29–31).

"Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. 31 Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law" (Rom. 3:29–31).

Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man" (all mankind)… (Mk 2:27a).

“For just as the new heavens and the new earth which I make will endure before Me,” declares the LORD, so your offspring and your name will endure. 23 “And it shall be from New Moon to New Moon and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all mankind will come to bow down before Me,” says the LORD. 24 “Then they will go forth and look on the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm will not die and their fire will not be quenched; and they will be an abhorrence to all mankind.” (Isa. 66:22–24).

So if a person rejects the Law and Commandments of God, they will not be able to understand it or how it applies today because they are not interested in truly understanding it – neither are they able to, why?

Speaking to the true followers of Christ in Rome, Paul said,

For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him (Rom. 8:6–9; RNT).

Welcome to CF R7-12. Excellent points!

Happy Sabbath and God bless.