Cancelbration (2)
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:2 NASB
Law of sin and death – What is “the law of sin and death”? If you follow Martin Luther (and others), you might assume that Paul’s use of nomos in this phrase means “all those rules and regulations that condemned me.” In other words, according to Luther[1], the Jewish laws, that is, the Torah. If that’s Paul’s meaning, then it’s time to get rid of all those rules and be free. What we want, of course, is the “law” of the spirit of life. How do we get that? By believing in Jesus, of course.
The problem with this simple explanation is nomos and nomos is a big problem. You see, Paul doesn’t use the Greek term, nomos (law), in a consistent manner. In fact, he uses nomos for at least a half-dozen different ideas. Yes, in some places he uses it as a synonym for Torah. But he also uses it as “principle,” “practice,” “ethnic ritual,” “routine,” “observable behavior,” and more. It is context that determines which meaning Paul ascribes to the word. In this verse, substituting Torah for nomos immediately demonstrates that Paul can’t be using the term as a synonym for the written commandments of Moses. If he were, then the verse wouldn’t make any sense. “For the Torah of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the Torah of sin and of death.” But what is that? We would have to conclude that the Torah is both life and death. We would have to keep it and get rid of it. It would be both good and bad. As you can see, nonsense!
But if we read this verse with nomos as “principle,” the contradiction evaporates. There is a principle of life. It is found in the teachings of the Messiah. There is a principle of sin and death. It is found in disobeying YHVH. Paul is not relieving us from Torah. He is pointing out that Yeshua HaMashiach provides rescue from operating under the power of sin, just as he already explained in the previous chapter of his letter to the Romans.
Cancelled? Yes, the anticipated penalty is cancelled. Does that mean that the Law itself is removed? Of course not! Proper application of the Law is life. Why would I ever want it removed? If it were, I would end up with the constant anxiety of not knowing how to live. I would be cast adrift without a principle of life.
Here’s what I need: directions about how to live fully. Here’s what I want: principles of life that I can apply. Here’s where I find them: in the Messiah. Here’s where he got them: from Torah. Here’s who wrote them: YHVH.
Now go and do what He says.
Topical Index: Torah, nomos, law, principle, Romans 8:2
[1] Actually, Luther followed Augustine who taught that the Jews were cursed because they had the law, precisely the opposite of the biblical view that the law is a means of blessing, not cursing. Augustine and Luther both shared the Roman view of law as restriction rather than the Hebrew view of law as freedom.
Shalom Skip.
I think that just as there is a law of gravitation stated by Sir Isaac Newton, there is a law of sin and death stated by HaShem!
It is found in Deuteronomy 24:16 (NIV) “Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin.”, in Ezekiel 18:4 “For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.” and in Ezekiel 18:20 “The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.”
Paul takes this law “the one who sins is the one who will die” and states “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” in Romans 6:23
I think that this is the argument that Paul uses as this law of death. “Anyone who sins will die.” That is what HaShem has established… that is the law of death that ruled over humanity… before Yeshua!
Alfredo is what you’re saying before Yeshua there was no salvation? Was there anything before Yeshua? In the beginning was God John 1. 1 – 2 in the beginning the world already existed the word was with God and the Word was God he existed in the beginning with God God created everything through him New Living Translation verse 14 so the word became human and made his home Among Us he was full unfailing Love and faithfulness and we have seen his glory glory of the fathers one and only son. Galatians 3.1 New King James Version (I was sitting down for this one ) oh foolish Galatians who has Bewitched that you should not obey the truth whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified? This Only do I want to learn from you. Did you receive the Spirit by The Works of the law or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish having begun in the spirit are you now being made perfect by the flesh have you suffered so many things in vain if it was indeed in vain? 5 therefore who supplies the spirit to you and works miracles among you does he do it by The Works of the law or by the hearing of faith? Just as Abraham believe God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Therefore only those who are of faith are Sons of Abraham.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God how can one hear unless it be preached and how can being preached unless one is sent Abraham was because he heard
Importing the theological notion of pre-existence of the actual Messiah is unwarranted by the text, although Trinitarians would claim otherwise, of course. But this is not the solution to a suggestion that salvation occurred only as a result of the actual Messiah. The Tanakh is abundantly clear that GOD provides salvation, even if the Messiah is His designated agent.
I totally agree with you Skip.
That’s right, of course. Only God can save. “Designated agent” would only be a tool. In the end, Messiah did nothing. God did it all. I mean, the further and further we get, the more we get to the idea that perhaps only God could do what the Messiah said He did. If you can figure out where the pronouns go in that last sentence I will give you an “A” in theology.
Shalom Brett.
Sorry I used the word “before” instead of “until”. English is a second language for me. Maybe that is what caused any confusion.
I did not mean to say salvation was not available before the Mashiach coming to this creation. What I meant is this: The law of death ruled over humanity… until Yeshua HaMashiach’s time in this world, because He never sinned! He arose from the dead! Death did not have any ruling over Him!
By the way… for me, this law of sin and death is not a synonym of Torah. Paul is talking about two different things… just as Skip mentions in Today’s Word.
Alfredo I’m somewhat glad that you did because I got a lot of Corrections that probably back in line to what we’re supposed to be doing using the text alone you were a good vessel that the Lord used we are supposed to build one another up in our Most Holy Faith thanks again guys shalom. B. B.
Like! Much clarity! Thank you for that.
Law is the structure upon which the universe hangs. Without it there would be no order (yes, law and order are one and the same) and, therefore, no existence. The mystery of grace is that we are still existing at the very same time that we are attempting to shred the order (law) that is holding us together as fast as we can go. Something or Someone has to be holding reality together for us even though we keep choosing chaos.
Enter natural law. I don’t think anybody wants to argue that we would be better off without gravity or any of the other laws that order reality, but the laws of the universe are as much love as the law of Torah; they are just beyond our ability to override them, which is to say we are subject TO them. Torah, in fact, gives us the master key to the order of natural law. Not for nothing were we promised the ability to supersede natural law with that law of love. Love sees no impediment to walking on water or raising the dead. WHY we would want to be free of the ability to reset chaos I do not, simply do not, understand!
Torah hands us an invitation to participate in creation (or recreation) of order over chaos. Natural law, which works just fine when things are going well, also rots dead bodies and allows us to poison ourselves, for it is the law of consequences. I see the curses as a form of miracle in that they are designed to override death (that natural law is set up to implement as a ‘natural’ way to reset order) and give us another chance to choose again in a place where it is more difficult to choose wrongly. Torah gives us a way to override both the curses and natural law and choose to turn back the hand of time (or at least the consequences of time), as it were (which is what forgiveness does, somehow), and start again. Participation with Torah releases the blessings (which negate consequences and curses alike) and sets us farther along than we would have been even if we had not messed up in the first place. The years that the locusts devoured are “restored”. This mystery is beyond comprehension for me.
The Golden Rule is not a replacement of Torah: it is just Cliff Notes (sorry, had to throw that in there!) that are only able to be used for the test if you actually took the Torah class. If you do not submit to Torah, you are left with only natural law; that “law of sin = death”. Why would you want to throw away the only card that gets you out of that jail? Natural law says “for every action, there is an equal, and opposite, reaction”. You create chaos, you become subject to that chaos. We ‘do as we are done by’ under that law UNLESS we decide to implement the override, which says “do as you WOULD be done by”. Sounds simple, except that it is possible for the devil to be found in the details of the ignorance of HOW to implement it. Torah, of course, is that how. Details.
I think one of the biggest tares the enemy ever sowed was the substitution of natural law for Torah. We have been taught to think “Torah law” in the places where the writer was referring to natural law, so we think that Torah is the ‘reason’ we die when we choose death. Confusion!
Would it be correct to say the letter of the law kills but the spirit of the letter of the law gives life. We all need boundaries. Without them we would be Reckless that would be Spirit of Lawless hmmmm causes one to think lawlessness without the law interesting
Bro Brett, truth does funny things to the brain.
For whatever do you mean sister Hayes?
The way your brain starts following interesting patterns and ending up in interesting places, like you meditating on the spirit of lawlessness. Truth changes the brain in a fundamental way, and I think it can shape the way we are able to think, profoundly.
Excellent feedback I knew you would come back with good perception of what you said because of the moment you said it thank you again sister
The Law of the Harvest
If [since] you sin, – you die. And, as all have sinned, – all will die. THE question is: As “all” have sinned, – what are we to do? We will reap what we sow, it is the law of the harvest. What do we do with [just the facts ma’am] the fact of our sin? Denial? Who me? “I’m innocent!” Oh?, Is that so? ~ If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His word has no place in our hearts ~ (1 John 1.10)
~ Uhh, I’ve heard it said, “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” And who is “the father of [all] lies? Friend, it is impossible for God to lie!!
So, (truth be told) where does that leave us? If (no, since) God is holy, and we are not — What do we do about our sin? Sin defined (btw) is trangression of the Torah.
(1 John 3.4) How many among us [save One] may say truthfully, “I have never sinned?” And the answer is? No, not one. Not one, save One. Again the scriptures state: “There is none righteous (rightly-related), no, not one!” (Romans 3.10)
One final question, (and I saved the best for last!) Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, – and opened the life-gate that all may go in?
Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer
Seems now I see Him on Calvary’s tree..
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading
Blind and unheeding, — dying for me.
This is the message of the Gospel that we share. And our feet should be shod with the readiness the of the Gospel the. Gold for everyday prize our mission.
Carl, you said-
“There is none righteous (rightly-related), no, not one!” (Romans 3.10)
What about the many righteous in the “OT” Scriptures?
“One final question, (and I saved the best for last!) Who yielded His life an atonement for sin”
Would atonement only be with human life sacrifice? Death is of NO pleasure to ABBA, going against that is going against HIM, e.g. suicides.
ANY sacrifice would NOT be acceptable to YHWH, WITHOUT genuine repentance first, even with the animal sacrifices YHWH specifically required, as a consequence of the transgression/s.
YHWH is our Redeemer and Rock, NONE besides Him, to be worshipped!
Skip thank you for explaining the nomos, I just thought of the four different category of laws…
Bottom line live for the Christ manifestation and it results in life, live for the manifestation of sin and death will follow.
Yeshua phrased this as the tree falls so shall it stay and its deeds shall follow. Solomon said when the silver cord is cut,, body to dust spirit to God. Nothing about soul… but that for another day…
Seeker,
to an occultist the silver cord represents the soul. No need to identify it. both the silver cord and the golden bowl referenced in Ecclesiastes are references to the dark side.
If Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon, he was either an occultist, personally, or he had (extreme) familiarity with the practices.
Thank you sister that can be used to set some people who are bound free. Freedom freedom sweet freedom every High thing that exalts itself above the word of God will be cast down
Thank you for the correction bcp
Honestly, I wasn’t trying to correct you, just give you information that is not well known.
I didn’t know it either till i was informed by someone who knew. as in…they left that life behind.
If the silver cord is snipped (or broken) the connection between the body and spirit is severed, the body dies.
ugh
Thank you it is appreciated.