Principle #5

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. Galatians 5:14

One Word – From the general to the specific. The principle of Kelal uferat-perat vekelal teaches from a general principle to a specific application, or from a specific application to a general principle. Rabbi Sha’ul uses it all the time; no more so than in this section in the letter to the Galatians. First, he quotes the general principle: Love your neighbor. Then he draws out specific implications of this general principle in negative (works of the flesh) and positive (fruit of the Spirit) examples.

This is a rabbinic principle we can get our arms around. Almost every sermon you hear will use some application of this rabbinic principle. Pastors love to start with a biblical passage, explain its general sense and then apply it to dozens of real-life examples. In fact, the “application” sermon has become a staple of pulpit oratory. You hardly expect to go to church without hearing something like this.

But often familiarity breeds inattention. We know the application model, so we stop thinking about the general principle behind the specifics. We limit ourselves to the specific applications, thinking we have exhausted the general principle. How does this show up in our lives? Well, there’s a general principle about ownership: God owns everything. We are simply leaseholders. But we often apply the general principle to our money, thinking His ownership is only about our financial assets. So, we tithe and walk away; believing we have fulfilled the terms of the lease because we have taken care of the financial application. You have undoubtedly already filled in the rest of the lesson. The general principle of ownership is about everything, not just finances. God owns your life, your body and even your time. What you do with all those things is also part of the lease agreement. But it’s so easy to forget the general principle by concentrating only on the specific applications, isn’t it?

One more example might help. God loves His creation. That’s the general principle. This general principle implies that God loves me. But in this application is another general principle. God loves me no matter what I do or who I am, where I go or how I feel. God just loves me. The specific applications of this general principle are very, very important. We often espouse the general principle and then turn right around and act as though the principle doesn’t apply when I am sinful, angry, discouraged, running away from my troubles or any number of other “less than spiritual” activities. Wrong! The general principle still applies. We just have to stop ignoring its full implications. Open the Bible to your favorite Psalm. I’ll bet you will very quickly read a general principle followed by specific applications. David was a rabbi too. Now, enjoy # 5, kelal uferat-perat vekelal.

Topical Index: principle #5, kelal uferat-perat vekelal, general, specific, application, Galatians 5:14