Aside

I’ve heard repeatedly that the teaching Paul got in trouble for over and over about was preaching that Jesus was the Messiah and that Paul never preached freedom from the Law. And I have heard it was that teaching, not teaching freedom from the Law, that had the Jewish leaders angry with him. However, Galatians would say otherwise.

1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. 5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

-Galatians 2:1-5

If in place of the gospel teaching you insert “Jesus as the Messiah”, it makes no sense. What does Jesus being the Messiah have to do with Titus’ decision not to be circumcised. And all the talk about liberty in Christ vs. being brought back into bondage: none of that makes any sense if the topic of heated debate was Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.

What makes sense, however, is to insert the “freedom from the Law” as what was being taught. That fits perfectly.

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?

-Galatians 2:11-14a

Similarly, in this passage above, Peter (Cephas) eating with Gentiles is so far removed from a debate of Jesus being the Messiah and so closely linked with freedom from the Law (specifically food laws).

11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.”

-Galatians 3:11-12

6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him…

-Hebrews 11:6a

The Law is “not of faith” and “without faith” we cannot please God.

These passages speak clearly of freedom from the Law being taught by Paul. He also taught Jesus as Messiah. But he did not stop there. He clarified what it means to live under the new covenant under the constraints of a living Spirit instead of a written Law. Following the Law will lead you into bondage. Follow the Spirit where He leads, and in faith, and you will please God.

Jesus the Messiah or Freedom from the Law?

3 responses »

  1. so I stand corrected (I am that guy), will read these articles. You know what? I did from time to time look at your blog here only to miss out on your newer posts ljljd, because the newer ones are further down on the site. On top are the same older articles (stickies so to speak) and I did not see the newer ones. I forgot about that and concluded you had stopped posting. Good to see, you have treated the subject, I actually looked for articles on this at siteraw as well. Good article above, I am going through the rest also. (my mail is not real) https://mmorpggaminghd.wordpress.com/2018/03/17/asuka-kazama-tekken-7-combo-guide/

  2. Where can we find the Law of Moses that says Jews cannot eat with Gentiles? Book, chapter, verse, please. I will be very surprised if you find it because this is law in the Talmud, or the oral law of the Jews. Jesus spoke against many of the oral laws of that time because they directly contradicted the law of Moses. Jesus said he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. In other (christian) words, he did not come to end the law but to end it? That doesn’t make sense. When Jesus said one jot or tittle will by no means pass from the law until all is fulfilled, he really meant every letter will by all means pass from the law as soon as I’m dead? Do neither what Jesus said nor what he did??? No, the law of Moses does not lead to salvation. It never did because we were never good enough. That doesn’t mean the law is useless or done away with.

  3. WRT Galatians 2:1-5
    Paul taught and lived Torah. We see Acts 17 and the Bereans challenge will and accepting Paul’s message by examining the TaNaKh. Paul writes Timothy in 2Tim3 15-17 about how to also apply the TaNaKh. We know in Acts 24:14 plus all of Acts 15, the letter to the Colossians, Romans ect – he constantly refers to the TaNaKh and the Torah as the accountability.

    Now – Titus was being harrased by the circumcision crowd. As in Acts 15 and about every letter of Paul, these specific group of pharisees were dead set on this concept because of ORAL law. They HAD to be baptized to be accepted into the fold YHWH b/c they put “the law” ORAL traditions ahead of the Fathers. It is important to know the context of each member’s position and it is important discern the blanket use of the word “law” translated in so many english bibles. There is a difference and this distinct difference on the approach of circumcision STILL exists today. Paul advocated for keeping Torah BECAUSE you are a follower, not to BECOME a follower.

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