“For through the law I died to the law …”
Summary: The complexities of Paul’s logic can be difficult to follow. Here, we explore the meanings of life and death and how they relate to the laws of the old covenant.
As Paul writes these words, he approaches the pinnacle of his logical construct. To understand how he got here, we need to review the basics of “life and death” from a Biblical perspective.
We are, first and foremost, spiritual beings. Our flesh, the bodies we live in, is temporal. At some point, our physical bodies stop working. When that happens, we say someone has “died.” But there are other ways to “die.”
When Adam and Eve sinned, they died spiritually. We know this because, as Jesus explained to Nicodemus, we have to be “born again” (John 3:3).
In the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), we see another kind of life and death. When the youngest son leaves home, he turns his back on his father and his family. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t have a family anymore until he hit hard times and discovered his need for family.
When he finally returned home, his father welcomed him with open arms. His older brother, however, is miffed that the younger brother has returned. He is especially put out because the father is throwing a party to celebrate his return. When he complains, his father explains, “But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:32)
Now, we have Paul using this concept of life and death as it relates to the law. He says, “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.” The question is, which law?
When Paul says, “I died to the law,” it seems clear that he is referring to the Mosaic laws of the old covenant. These are the laws that govern what is clean and unclean, what is holy and common (Leviticus 10:10). They also include the law of circumcision. Being “dead” to these laws means that they no longer have any hold over us (See Romans 7: 1-3). But what does he mean by “through the law I died?”
The laws God gave to Moses required a blood sacrifice for sin. These laws are explained in great detail in the first five books of the Bible. Reading through these laws, especially in the book of Leviticus, it is obvious that the penalty for sin is a bloody death.
As a believer in Christ, we “die” to the law of the old covenant just like the Prodigal Son died to his family. We walk away from it when we walk into the arms of Christ. Unlike the Prodigal, instead of discovering the misery of death, we discover new life in Christ.
Application: Only by the power of Jesus can we die to the Law.
Food for Thought: How many kinds of “law” are there, and what are they?
Some divide up the Mosaic Law into three categories: the moral, civil and ceremonial.
While this categorization is a human description, I find it helpful. The civil law deals with the nation of Israel and how they function day to day. The ceremonial law deals with worship of God centered around a sacrificial system. The moral law deals with direct commands of God.
All of the law points to Christ and is fulfilled by Christ. But I believe that only the moral law still applies for the follower of Christ – not as a means of salvation, but as a guideline on how to live a God honoring life.
The most famous of these moral laws or commands would be the Ten Commandments. Are we saved by adhering to the Ten Commandments? No, only a Savior saves and the Savior is Jesus. But certainly those commandments are still commandments for us today to live a God honoring life and to glorify His name.
Then of course there is the law of love that Jesus gave directly to His followers. This law sums up the intent of the law and the prophets. Simply put, it is to love God with all that we are and have and to love our neighbor as ourself (Matthew 22: 37 – 40). The law of love will find us living the Ten Commandments and the rest of the moral law without having to carry a checklist.
Thank you, Rich!
Excellent summary! I find it interesting that there are civil laws in the Mosaic codes as well as secular civil laws. When the Jews lived under Roman rule, for example, they were subject to both.
Wow! Very good and thought provoking devotion today, and Rich’s response is another devotion unto itself.
In my own thoughts, I think there is are two types of laws: laws of men and the Law of God. The laws of men seem to be designed to protect us from each other, and seem more like fences. The Law of God provides for us and protects us from sin, and so are designed to bring us closer to Him. They are laws that unite rather than divide. If everyone followed God’s Will, we wouldn’t need protection from each other. Some might say there are laws of physics and laws of nature, but I believe those are a part of God’s Law, providing for us.
Well done, Chris!
I like that you differentiated between laws that protect and laws that divide. Very interesting!
How many kinds of “law” are there, and what are they?
Great question and response from both Rich and CH!
We have laws of men and laws of God. In the Old Testament, 613 laws are recored.
In Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus tells us, He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill the law, and not one iota, not a dot will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
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.
In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus tells us the two greatest commandments upon which all the law and the prophets hang.
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Christ came to fulfill the Law, and His sacrifice was accepted by God. All believers who receive Jesus and live in His power will fulfill the law as He becomes the ruling power of our lives.
Thank you, Ron!
Your conclusion leads us to the highest Law of all (pointed to by Rich and Chris, too) … the Law of Love.