Establishing the Law (Rom. 3)

[episkopos]

Greetings to all. I thought it timely to rehash this crucial issue of understanding Paul's approach to the law and grace. I think a great many errors stem from a faulty understanding of the meaning of Paul. What is he really saying in Romans 3? On the one hand it sounds as if Christians are no longer held accountable to uphold the law because of grace by faith. This is the conclusion that many if not most Christians come away with. And yet Paul concludes with the very opposite assertion....

Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

How is the law established by a non-compliance with it? Rather Paul should have said...yea we abolish the law.

So what are we missing to see that Paul means the very opposite of what most people claim he is saying?

I call Romans 3 "The Establishment of the law" chapter.

[John 8:32]

Greetings to all. I thought it timely to rehash this crucial issue of understanding Paul's approach to the law and grace. I think a great many errors stem from a faulty understanding of the meaning of Paul. What is he really saying in Romans 3? On the one hand it sounds as if Christians are no longer held accountable to uphold the law because of grace by faith. This is the conclusion that many if not most Christians come away with. And yet Paul concludes with the very opposite assertion....

Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

How is the law established by a non-compliance with it. Rather Paul should have said...yea we abolish the law.

So what are we missing to see that Paul means the very opposite of what most people claim he is saying?

I call Romans 3 "The Establishment of the law" chapter.

Interesting, most seem to think the only way to view this is law OR grace. You are absolutely correct here. The book and especially chapter 3 was written to make clear law and grace. If one views the plain statements of Christ, and uses that lens to view Romans, it does become clear.

1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

So what happened to Israel? They were miraculously delivered from Egypt, then fifty some days later were given the Law. Same today, we are delivered from sin by baptism, the laying on of hands and receiving the Holy Spirit, then we are given the law to grow an overcome by.

Excellent insight here episkopos.

[episkopos]

As we know...there is no such thing as a Christian morality. Christianity is not a behaviour code for the flesh to perform but an inner life that comes directly from God.

Now the law is perfect and was given to an imperfect people to show them that they were sinners. But is the law against the revelation of Christ made manifest in the gospel. Is the faith against the law?

Paul was not against the law per se...he did not reject the law but rather the moralizing interpretation imposed on it by unspiritual men. So it was and is the faulty use of the law that contradicts grace...not the law itself.

The law is only meant as an indicator of what we are truly living out. Do we lust after worldly things??? If so the love of God is not in us. Do we anger easily against the brethren? Then the love of the brethren is not in us. So the law itself does not empower us to do anything. It is a gauge pure and simple of who we really are. When we are walking in the perfection of Christ in the Spirit we SHOW forth a life that the law does not condemn...we obey the law perfectly through Christ. THIS is how the law is established...by exemplifying it through a life lived in the Spirit.

[episkopos]

How do we establish the law? Through an inability to obey it as many would say? Or by fulfilling it through grace?!!

So the perfect law points to those who fulfill it...namely those who are perfected in Christ by grace through faith. And these point to Christ who is their strength. If there was no means to fulfill the law given by God then we would all be yet dead in our sins. But God has made a living way so that the righteous requirement of God might be accomplished IN us who abide in Christ.

Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

[John 8:32]

The book of James is all about this subject...

Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Jas 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

[Old man]

I’m with you on this one. The law was made for those who didn't or wouldn't obey the law. Why would you say to someone who does not steal, “Thou shall not steal.” On the other hand you would say that to someone who does steal or murder or any number of things that is contrary to first loving God, and second loving your neighbor. Even the laws we create here for our society are reflective of that. The laws are not to tell those who won’t do the evil things not to do them the law is to set the rules for those who will.

1Ti 1:8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
1Ti 1:9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers
1Ti 1:10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,

And in truth we as Christian still abide by the law in offering sacrifices for sins. Our sacrifice which satisfied the requirements law was Jesus Christ. And it still is. Every time we repent of our sins do we not offer the same sacrifice, the blood of Christ that was perfect and only had to be shed once? That one sacrifice is still as effective in washing away our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness today as it was when He first shed it. And it is still the Law.

1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

[episkopos]

Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

So we see that God is not interested in our efforts to keep the law. When we stumble we show that we are not trusting in God only but also making provision for the flesh.

Php_3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh

We will be judged according to the whole law all the more since we have been given the grace provision that can fully accomplish the whole law...that is if we have confidence in God. Otherwise we will fall short to some degree.

Mat_5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

If we obey the law perfectly then we inherit the blessings forever. We become doers of the law through grace by faith. Those who fail at fulfilling the whole law have failed at putting an entire faith in God.

So we conclude that a man who does not walk in perfect obedience in Christ is still having confidence in the flesh. Someone who sins is still putting confidence in the flesh. But we are not called to do this but to have faith in God to the fulfilling of the whole law. To this end grace has been freely given to men at a high cost. Will we forsake our old confidences to reach out to God by faith?

[John 8:32]

If we obey the law perfectly then we inherit the blessings forever. We become doers of the law through grace by faith. Those who fail at fulfilling the whole law have failed at putting an entire faith in God.

I must disagree here, If one keeps the law perfectly, he will have a very good life, but eternal life does not come from law keeping...

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

Eternal life is a gift from God. You cannot earn it.

[episkopos]

I must disagree here, If one keeps the law perfectly, he will have a very good life, but eternal life does not come from law keeping...

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

Eternal life is a gift from God. You cannot earn it.

Law keeping comes from eternal life (in Christ). A lack of law keeping comes from a carnal life or an incomplete faith.

The power is received by faith...a man can do nothing to overcome sin on his own. But HIS grace IS sufficient to do this.


The law is like a meter that detects eternal life. It can't be kept without an eternal life. So wherever eternal life is found...there is law keeping.

The law is like a volt meter that checks to see if there is power in the wall socket. If there is no power than the meter is not "fulfilled". But if the power is present then the meter is "established" by showing the proper voltage.

Any thing other than this is devoid of reality and power. To deny the truth of this is to fail at connecting the dots. If we continue to sin in the Spirit then we are not establishing the law at all...we are contradicting it. So you can't have it both ways...either you get with the kingdom program and walk in the Spirit or else turn aside to fables.

[John 8:32]

I’m with you on this one. The law was made for those who didn't or wouldn't obey the law. Why would you say to someone who does not steal, “Thou shall not steal.” On the other hand you would say that to someone who does steal or murder or any number of things that is contrary to first loving God, and second loving your neighbor. Even the laws we create here for our society are reflective of that. The laws are not to tell those who won’t do the evil things not to do them the law is to set the rules for those who will.

Doesn't that include all of us?

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

So who was the law made for?

[BroRog]

Greetings to all. I thought it timely to rehash this crucial issue of understanding Paul's approach to the law and grace. I think a great many errors stem from a faulty understanding of the meaning of Paul. What is he really saying in Romans 3? On the one hand it sounds as if Christians are no longer held accountable to uphold the law because of grace by faith. This is the conclusion that many if not most Christians come away with. And yet Paul concludes with the very opposite assertion....

Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

How is the law established by a non-compliance with it? Rather Paul should have said...yea we abolish the law.

So what are we missing to see that Paul means the very opposite of what most people claim he is saying?

I call Romans 3 "The Establishment of the law" chapter.

No, most Christians have correctly understood Paul that Gentiles are not obligated to keep Moses. But as for Romans 3:31, let's put this verse back into context. In the following passage, Paul eventually will switch his definition of "Law". At first, however, he is talking about the Law of Moses or what the Jews call the Torah. Notice how the passage reads if we substitute the word "Torah" in place of "Law."

21 But now apart from the Torah a righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Torah and the Prophets*, 22 even a righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. [This was] to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, [I say], of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of Torah? Of works? No, but by a Torah of faith**. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Torah. 29 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 Torah.

* Taken together the phrase "The Torah and the Prophets" refer to the entire Old Testament, which also include "The Writings."

** Here Paul begins to talk about a "Torah of faith". He draws a distinction between the "Torah of works" and the "Torah of faith", which is the Torah he and the other apostles established.

The contrast is between those who are seeking to be justified through the works of the law, rather than seeking to be justified through faith. He claims that God is granting justification outside the Jewish context of keeping the Torah of works, granting justification according to a new Torah of faith, which is not really new since he will eventually point out that Abraham lived according to such a Torah of faith and did not find justification in a Torah of works.

[Watchman]

I have a slightly different take on establishing the law. Jesus said the law and the prophets hung upon loving God and neighbor. If one looks at the requirements of the law, it is easy to see that loving God and others will satisfy its requirements. But Jesus also told His disciples to love others as He had loved them. Now there's a tall order. We are told to love as God loves. Good thing we have the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of love in us. When we walk by the Spirit, we are walking in love, and we are establishing the law.

blessings,

W

[episkopos]

I have a slightly different take on establishing the law. Jesus said the law and the prophets hung upon loving God and neighbor. If one looks at the requirements of the law, it is easy to see that loving God and others will satisfy its requirements. But Jesus also told His disciples to love others as He had loved them. Now there's a tall order. We are told to love as God loves. Good thing we have the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of love in us. When we walk by the Spirit, we are walking in love, and we are establishing the law.

blessings,

W

Very good!!! But it also stands that those who love God also keep His commandments...The narrow road is without sin. So one can say they love God and men and still be a terrible sinner. But the bible shows us that if we truly loved God we would obey Him.

So the gospel presents us with the power to do just that. So we grasp this by faith. NOW we can truly love God and others through faith by His grace. We don't love instead of obeying...but rather we love BY obeying and this through the strength of a new life in Christ.

[Watchman]

Very good!!! But it also stands that those who love God also keep His commandments...snip We don't love instead of obeying...but rather we love BY obeying and this through the strength of a new life in Christ.

Yep. Love is demonstrated via obedience. Paul said, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." By golly, I think he was on to something!

W

[episkopos]

Rev_3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Overcome what????