… by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations.
Summary: Paul addresses a specific type of law in this passage today. Understanding the history of the law and the types of law created by God is essential to understanding Paul’s point.
Following Paul’s sentence structure is a bit like trying to work our way through a maze. His thoughts take a lot of twists and turns to express the ideas in his head. Let’s review this thought of his so far:
Jesus is our peace. He made two groups (Jew and Gentile) into one. He did this by destroying the barrier between them. He set aside the law with its commands and regulations. Jesus did all this by sacrificing his flesh.
Setting aside the law is no small thing. In fact, this is one of the most contentious and complex subjects in the Bible. For Paul to come right out and say what he does in today’s passage is incredible.
The key to understanding what Paul is saying is found in the three letter word “law.” The Greek word Paul used was “nomos.” Like our English word “law,” “nomos” is a bit vague when it comes to trying to pin down what it means. Most of the meaning in Paul’s sentence comes from the context. Not just the context of the sentence or paragraph or even the whole letter to the Ephesians. The “context” we need to consider here is the entire Bible.
The very first sentence in the Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” When God did this, he created laws. We call them “natural laws” or the “laws of nature.” These laws are irrevocable and regulate how the physical world operates. God mentions these laws when he puts Job in the hot seat for questioning his justice.
“Do you know the laws of the heavens?
Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?” (Job 38:33)
The second set of laws is called the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 1-17). I put these laws in the same category as the natural laws. These are irrevocable. We cannot set them aside without going up against God Himself.
A third set of laws are those given to Moses for the Israelites. These are all the laws required by God’s covenant with Abraham. These laws only exist as long as the covenant or contract with God is in force. Paul gives an example of this in Romans 2:
“For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him.” (Romans 7:2)
When Israel had Jesus crucified, they put the final nail in the coffin containing their covenant with God. (This is not to say that God abandoned his love for Israel! He did not.) The laws associated with this covenant are the ones Paul is referring to. Jesus specifically addresses this at his last Passover meal.
“In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’” (Luke 22:20)
With these words, Jesus set aside the old covenant with its “law with its commands and regulations” and instituted a new covenant between God and his Creation.
Application: O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. (1 Chronicles 16:34, KJV)
Food for Thought: What are the dangers of misunderstanding Paul’s use of the word “law”?
What are the dangers of misunderstanding Paul’s use of the word “law”?
The same dangers as taking any of God’s Word out of context or misunderstanding what is written. Luke 14:26 could be misunderstood to someone not knowing Jesus or understanding God’s character.
Tim,
Great example! Thank you!
The ten commandments are part of the Mosaic law. In fact, the Jews consider all of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy the Law, the Torah. They are not like the laws of nature, we cannot actually break, we just shouldn’t break the ten commandments.
— I understand how the Jews look at the Ten Commandments. I don’t disagree with their view or yours. That said, we shouldn’t break the law of gravity either, but people still sometimes try. Their end is the same either way. That is why I categorize the laws as I do.
Well aren’t you on dangerous ground today my dear, courageous friend 😊.
I agree with T in that whenever we misapply any of God’s word it can lead us away from God’s intentions. Then when we apply that adopted view we miss God’s best. That is one reason why context is so important.
LOL!
Yes — I guess I am. 🙂
One of the great challenges of God’s Word as I see it is accepting the Word for what it is. When we come to God’s Word with pre-conceived notions (doctrine), we end up spending our time trying to make God’s Word fit into a human built box. (Pro tip: It doesn’t work!) When we take God at his Word, we discover ourselves in a very different and wonderful world.
On second thought … I am probably more foolhardy than courageous. 🙂
04-21-2023, What are the dangers of misunderstanding Paul’s use of the word “law”?
Passages in our bibles are like multifaceted jewels. I often find myself seeing only one facet at a time. Another time I will read the same passage and find the Spirit will reveal another facet I had previously missed. An indication of my limited capacity to learn or part of the maturing process.
The expression “The Law” sometimes refers to the Ten Commandments, sometimes to Genesis through Deuteronomy, or to the entire Old Testament. In short it refers to the commands, ordinances, and expressions of God. We have to read the passage and determine how the expression is being used.
There is a very great danger that the richness of the entire Old Testament, the recorded truths of our all-knowing God’s power, attributes, majesty, sovereignty, holiness. His revelation and patience with mankind, His anger and judgments against all evil, and provisions for His remnant, the weakness of all mankind and God’s provision for man’s salvation through the coming messiah coming from God could be lost. The many truths of God which have been preserved, would not exist.
The Bible interprets the bible, In Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus teaches:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Hmmm…
I think your answer, Ron, is a “gem.”
🙂
Hebrews 10:8-9 let’s me think about God’s intent about the law, what Christ did, and how that may apply to us today: First he said, sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, Here I am, I have come to do your will. HE sets aside the first to establish the second… And Hebrews 10:26- If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, except the fearful expectation of judgement and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God (deliberately sinning people who keep on in that way are enemies of God) . But Heb10:1-2- (We are fallen and we keep on sinning even when we try not to and are never going to find perfection while on earth in our old body). Jesus covers over, but he wants us to set aside to do his will as well or we aren’t aligned with God… we are rather considered an enemy.
TJR,
Thank you for pointing us to Hebrews!
These words remind me that there is an overlap between the old and the new.
Many people still operate under the old covenant law and hope for a renewal of the covenant when a new temple is built.
God’s Word sifts us like a graded sieve.