What did Paul really mean by “Under the Law”?

Many Christian teachers/scholars use Paul’s phrase, “under the law,” to teach that Paul was speaking about God’s Law (Torah), the Law that God gave us through Moses on Mt. Sinai, in a negative or abolishing way. We contend that this is not true.

TRANSLATION DIFFICULTIES

Paul was fighting salvation legalism and lawlessness in these assemblies in the diaspora (in the nations). He also wrestled with communicating Hebraic expressions and Hebrew words in the Greek speaking nations (2 Peter 3). To further complicate the issue, we now have these Greek phrases translated into English. But now, thank God, some Hebrew scholars and those with a Hebraic “mindset” are trying to return these phases, and words, back to their original meaning and context.

Christian scholar, C.E.B. Cranfield, in his article, “St. Paul and the Law,” in the Scottish Journal of Theology (1964), pp. 43-68, states: “…the Greek language of Paul’s day possessed no word group corresponding to our ‘legalism,’ ‘legalist’ and ‘legalistic.’ This means that he lacked a convenient terminology for expressing a vital distinction, and so was surely seriously hampered in the work of clarifying the Christian position with regard to the Law. In view of this, we should always, we think, be ready to reckon with the possibility that Pauline statements, which at first sight seem to disparage the Law, were really directed not against the Law itself but against that misunderstanding and misuse of it for which we now have a convenient terminology. In this very difficult terrain Paul was pioneering.”

Dr. David Stern, in his book, Messianic Jewish Manifesto, offers and interpretation that states this phrase is translated from the Greek words “upo nomon” [under the law] and hebraically understood as: “…in subjection to the system that results from perverting the Torah into legalism.”

Messianic teacher, Dr. John Fischer of Menorah Ministries, in one of his articles, states that there are seven different usages of the word “law” in Paul’s letter to the Romans. This is critical to our understanding Paul’s letters. He was NOT referring to God’s Law with each usage.

In the Greek language, there is only one word for law (nomos). Therefore, there is no distinction between God’s Law and man-made law, man’s traditionary law, or universal law. This is where the headache begins as we try to gain the right understanding of Paul’s letters.

The foundational truth that we need to make clear and cannot emphasis strong enough is:

God’s “Law (Torah)” was NEVER given for salvation!!

ONE PURPOSE OF GOD'S LAW

God’s Law was given to an already redeemed, delivered, and saved people! The beneficiaries of God’s Law were a “mixed group” of people who left Egypt (symbolic of the world). These were descendants from the twelve sons of Jacob and God-Fearers from the nations. When the “fiery Law” (De 33:2) went forth from Mt. Sinai, it went to ALL who were present. And they all responded as one, “All the words which the Lord has said we will do” (Ex 24:3). God told them “one” Law (Torah), not several laws. Yes, there are separate requirements for groups such as: the priesthood, the men, the women, the children, the foreigners, but there was only ONE Law.

A person cannot earn their salvation (membership into the Abrahamic Covenant) by simply “obeying” the Law of God. Many people of the United States keep as many biblical commandments as those who call themselves Christians. The constitution of the United States was based on the Law of God. Does this mean they will inherit eternal life? No! There must be a faith combined with obedience to achieve the reward God has promised to His people, which is eternal life.

Dr. John Fischer said in his paper, A Jewish View of Galatians, “The Torah [Law] was not given in answer to the question ‘What must I do to enter into a relationship with God (or receive salvation)?’ It was given in answer to the question, ‘Now that I have this wonderful relationship with God, how can I express my gratitude and demonstrate my love?’”

We see God’s Law, given to us by Him, as a way for us to live our lives in the way that reflects Him, His character, and His way of making us Holy (set apart), acceptable to Him, allowing us to enter into His presence. The Book of Hebrews states that without holiness, no one will see God (Heb 12:14).

ANOTHER PURPOSE OF GOD'S LAW

God’s Law (Torah) has another purpose. It is to help us prepare for ruling and reigning with our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) when He comes to rule.

• Revelation 20:6, Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Messiah, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Isaiah tells us about Messiah’s coming:

• Isaiah 2:3, Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His Ways, and we shall walk in His Paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

• Isa. 62:11, Indeed the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the world: "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.' "

Paul and John agree:

• Rom 11:26, And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness (sin) from Jacob.

• Rev. 14:1, Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb (Messiah) standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's (One true God) name written on their foreheads.

We should ask ourselves:

“What Law will we be under when Messiah comes and sets up His kingdom?”

Selah (Pause and think about)

STILL, ANOTHER PURPOSE

God’s Law provides us with the definition of righteousness and sin. The below verse, from Paul, is driving home the fact that salvation is by God’s grace, but God’s Law is necessary to define sin for us. If we were without God’s Law; then we would not know that we needed His grace.

• Rom 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the Law is the knowledge of sin (transgression of God’s Law).”

• Adam, Eve, and Noah were among the first to find grace in God’s eyes. This did not exclude them from obeying God’s oral instructions, which were later written down by Moses.

REAL MEANING OF "UNDER THE LAW"

Since there are seven different meanings of the English word “law” in Paul’s letter to the Romans alone, we need to be cautious when quoting Paul’s usage of this phase. So, what does Paul really mean by “under the law” (upo nomon) and who else used it?

Paul was the ONLY person who used this phrase. He was writing to three assemblies of people who struggled with their identity and the influence of others. Some people were telling them they had to go beyond what is written in God’s Law in order to receive salvation.

We believe Paul used this phrase in two ways. First, He was speaking to those who were “within the framework, or under God’s Law.” They were born within the Abrahamic Covenant (Jewish people) or converts (Proselytes) to Judaism.

Second, Paul was addressing those who were adding “man’s law/traditions” to God’s Law. They were placing a yoke on new believers in Messiah that no one could not bear up under, which today is called legalism (Acts 15:10).

LETTERS OF PAUL CONTAINING THIS PHRASE

A phrase search on BibleStudyTools.com, using the KJV, that contained the phrase “under the law” are listed below. The Literal Translation does not include the translator’s words that were inserted for clarity or doctrine.

LITERAL: Rom 3:19, Now know that soever law saith, it saith under law: that every mouth stopped, and all world become guilty before God.

KJV: Rom 3:19, Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

• The word “the” is not in any literal translation of this phrase. It literally says “under law”, but needs context to help bring out what “law” Paul is referring to in these verses.

• Here, Paul is talking about groups of people. He begins the chapter with “what advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way!”

• He is speaking to those who were “within the framework of the Law” and had knowledge of God’s Law. In this verse, He was emphasizing that “deeds of the Law” will not justify anyone.

LITERAL: Rom 6:14, For sin shall not over you: for not under law, but under grace.

KJV: Rom 6:14, For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

• Paul begins this section with, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin (transgression of God’s Law) that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”

• Paul is discussing turning from our old sinful nature, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.” (Rom 6:12)

• Here he is using the phrase “under law” to address the universal principle that un-redeemed people are “under” the law of sin and death. When we accept Messiah’s death and resurrection, we are no under its power and he exhorts us to choose holiness (Rom 6:15-23).

LITERAL: Rom 6:15, What then? Sin because not under law, but under grace? Forbid!

KJV: Rom 6:15, What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid!

• This usage is a continuation of the same point he made above in verse 14.

LITERAL: 1 Cor 9:20, And Jews I became as Jew, that gain Jews; under law, as under law that gain under law

KJV: 1 Cor 9:20, And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law

• Again, Paul is speaking about his fellow Jews who are in the Abrahamic Covenant, living within the framework of God’s Law. He, as Pharisee of Pharisees, continued to keep Pharisaic traditions that kept him in standing with his fellow members of the strictest sect (Acts 26:5). However, he did not place any of these requirements/ traditions on new believers from the nations.

LITERAL: 1 Cor 9:21, law, as law,* (not law God, but law) that gain law.

KJV: 1 Cor 9:21, To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Messiah, that I might gain them that are without law.

• Paul was addressing the sects of people who were not born within the framework of the Abrahamic Covenant. He states that he wants to reach “all” men for Messiah (1 Cor 9:22). He was willing to meet people “where they were” in their station of life.

LITERAL: Gal 3:23, But before faith came, kept under law, up unto the faith afterwards revealed.

KJV: Gal 3:23, But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

• We see in this letter, Paul was fighting against unnecessary burdens (traditions) being placed on the people that required them to go beyond what God’s Law stated to obtain salvation. In response, many were turning away from the faith and back to their former pagan ways (Gal 4:9). It was too heavy of a burden on them!

• Paul was upset that a group of “false brethren” from Judea (Acts 15:1) were advocating that the God-Fearers in the Galatians assembly, become Proselytes. The primary point of discussion was circumcision. While circumcision is a commandment, this group was requiring that they go beyond and do it in certain manner, following man’s tradition, the traditions of their fathers (Gal 1:14, Acts 15:10).

• Paul tells them that Abraham believed in, and walked with, God many years before he was circumcised in the flesh (Gen 17:24). Therefore, this is a case of “don’t get the cart before the horse.” Paul excelled in giving God-Fearers time to learn God’s Law. He did not impose on them all of the oral traditions on “how to” keep the Law. But, as a student of the school of Hillel (1st century Rabbi), Paul gave them time to understand.

Many interpret Paul’s statement in Gal 3:10, to state that God’s Law is a curse:

• Gal 3:10-11, 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. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith (KJV)

Now read this from a Jewish scholar’s translation:

• Gal 3:10-11, For everyone who depends on legalistic observance of Torah commands lives under a curse, since it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not keep on doing everything written in the Scroll of the Torah." Now it is evident that no one comes to be declared righteous by God through legalism, since "The person who is righteous will attain life by trusting and being faithful." (Complete Jewish Bible)

The main point Paul is making here is that all are justified before God by faith and NOT by legalistic observances. However, we know that James states in James 2:17:

• "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” So, both are needed.

LITERAL: Gal 4:4, But when fullness time come, God forth his Son, made of woman, made under law

KJV: Gal 4:4, But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

• This is not a negative statement. God’s son came through a woman (Sarah) who was born within the framework of the Abrahamic Covenant. Again, he is talking about a group of people who had knowledge of God’s Law.

LITERAL: Gal 4:5, To redeem under law, that receive sons.

KJV: Gal 4:5, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

• Paul is teaching that Jewish believers and God-Fearers from the nations are part of the family of God because God fulfilled His promise to Abraham by sending His Messiah.

• Messianic teacher, Tim Hegg, in his A Study of Galatians, states, “Paul’s allegory is speaking against the means (“works of the flesh”) Gentiles are attempting to use for entering the covenant, like Abraham and Sarah did with Ishmael.”

LITERAL: Gal 4:21, Tell me, desire be under law, ye not hear law?

KJV: Gal 4:21, “Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?”

• We see two different “laws” mentioned in this verse. The first one is addressing their desire to be under “man’s traditionary methods/customs” and the second is their hearing (Shema) of God’s Law, which emphasizes a relationship with Him. Thus, they were children of the promise, being born under Sarah.

LITERAL: Gal 5:18, But if led Spirit, are not under law

KJV: Gal. 5:18, But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

• Here we believe Paul is referring to “man’s law.” Some Judeans were requiring the God-Fearers become Proselytes as a salvation requirement. This was heavy legalism.

• We know, God’s Holy Spirit is NOT against God’s Holy Law. One of the primary functions of His Spirit is to write His Law on our hearts (Jer. 31:31; John 15:13).

CONCLUSION

As Paul stated in Romans 3:31, the Law of God does not conflict with faith nor does it conflict with grace. Paul would be inconsistent in his deeds and words and a very confused man, if his phrase “under the law” means God-Fearers are exempt from keeping God’s Law.

When reading Paul’s letters, remember that Peter warned us in 2 Peter 3:15-16:

• “And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures."

There are numerous translation problems with Paul’s letters that teachers have used to develop an anti-Law bias that Paul would not have taught. Our hope is that everyone will read his letters and know that he was not double-minded or confused. Again, he was not anti-Torah, against God’s guidelines and instructions for holy living. Paul did not have the authority, as we do not, to change any of God’s Torah/Law.