An overview of Paul’s view of the Law as shown primarily in his letters to the Galatians and the Romans.  Is the Law a problem?  Is it evil, good, indifferent?  What is the role of the Law in Paul’s gospel?

 

 

Thesis statement

The books of Romans and Galatians compliments Paul’s preaching about the law, where he asserts that salvation is achieved through justification and faith in Christ but not through obeying the law; the law is good and not evil and the only way to meet its standards is through Christ’s righteousness.  

Research methodology

The research will analyze Paul’s view of law by exploring the Bible verses in Romans and Galatians especially in relation to various major points; the Recipients of the law, the nature of the law, the purpose of the law and the effect of the law.   Under the recipients of the law, the research will explore Romans 2.14-15, 3.19 and 9.4. This will be supplemented by Exodus 20.1-17 to have an understanding of the law was given.  Under the nature of Law, the verses to be explored include Romans 2.20, 7.12, 14, 16, 12 and the book of Galatians 3.21.  The supplementary verse will be Hebrews 10.1. Under the purpose of the law, the biblical verses to be explored include Romans 3.19-20, 4.15, 5.13, 7.7. It also includes Galatians 3.10 and 19. To explore the effect of the law, the research will look into Romans 4; 15, 5.20, 7.5, 8.9 and 22-23. 

The research will not explore the Bible verses that do not specifically touch on the Paul’s perception of the law. The selected verses will be used to explore the spirituality of the law, the law and Christ and the role of law in the plan of salvation. To understand the role of law in Paul’s Gospel the research will focus on the literary context of the verses.  Context is important in this research because it diagnosis the questions of why Paul has included the passage and that specific point of the text.  There will also be an exposition of some of the major passages relating to role of the law, an exercise that will be aimed at exploring more about the context of the verses. In addition, an exposition of the passages historical context will be important for the research. By exploring what comes before a passage and what follows will go a long way in helping the understanding of the major point.  This will also help in comprehending the historical situation of Paul’s initial audience.  The paper will also explore the various scholarly sources that have explored the issue of Paul’s perception on the law in regard to his teaching on salvation.

 

Bibliography

Martin, Brice L. Christ and the Law in Paul. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2001.

In this book, the author argues that the differences Paul had with Jewish perception of the law can be attributed to his basic point that salvation in terms life and righteousness can only be obtained from Christ. The author perceives that the fallen nature of man presents a dilemma. Humans are obligated to obey the law but cannot do it, which leads to sin and finally death. However, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit enables them to obey the law, not as a means of getting saved but as a result of it.

La Grange Du Toit, Philip. "Paul's radicalisation of law-obedience in Romans 2: the plight of someone under the law." In Die Skriflig, 1 2016.

The article thoroughly explores the relationship between Paul’s view of fulfilling the law relative to Roman 2 justification teachings and Romans 3:21-35 righteousness by faith. The article also considers the present approaches to Romans chapter 2 and then Paul’s teachings on doing the Law as interpreted as being part of salvation requirements and justification before the coming of Christ. The authors conclude that it is impossible to the entire law and that overall depravity of everybody as an indication of old era when people were under the law. The new era involves anticipating solutions through faith and justification in Christ.

Hübner, Hans. Law in Paul's Thought: A Contribution to the Development of Pauline Theology. London: T. & T. Clark, 2004.

In this text, the author highlights the clear conflict with the view of law by Paul. The author looks into whether this distinction should be explored in terms of Paul’s justification theology development.  The book also looks into Romans and Galatians in regard to what each of them contributes towards the debate on Law, righteousness and salvation.  The authors also draw the comparisons and differences between Romans and Galatians in regard to Paul’s discussion about the significance of the law.

Hastings, Adrian, Alistair Mason, and Hugh Pyper. The Oxford Companion to Christian Thought. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.

The author of the book embraces the perceptions of Protestants, Catholic, Orthodox thinkers, liberals, radicals and even conservatives to conclude that current Christianity is not univocal or Monolithic. He looks into the existing great diverse opinions regarding the religion. From page 523, the discussion delves into Paul’s controversy with the Jews as indicated in the books of Romans and Galatians, given the apostles protests against his converts subjecting themselves to Law. The issue of law has diverse understanding among the aforementioned groups.

Wakefield, Andrew Hollis. Where to Live: The Hermeneutical Significance of Paul's Citations from Scripture in Galatians 3:1-14. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2003.

The author focuses on the book of Galatians to deduce Paul’s use of the scripture while teaching about the law. The review of this issue leads to the conclusion that Paul rejected the law as a means of salvation and living among Christians.

Wendel, Susan J., and David M. Miller. Torah Ethics and Early Christian Identity. 2016.

The book involves scholar’s exploration of how early Christians related to Mosaic Law and how the Torah was used as reference point on ethical living among believers. From page 207, the book looks into Paul’s view of law in Romans and Galatians. 

 

Outline

In the books of Romans and Galatians, Paul largely preaches on how the law relates to salvation, and specifically that salvation is only through faith in Christ and not by obeying the law. The law sets the standards of righteousness that can only be met through Christ.

The reason why Mosaic Law was given to Israel was for revelation of sin and condemnation.  Paul had been a Pharisee who had become zealous for the Mosaic Law and though he was accomplishing the will of God. The law acted as ceremonial, moral and civil law which governed the life of the Jews.

Before the introduction of the Mosaic Law, morality was written in the conscience of a man or his heart. But human sin because of their nature us inherently sinful and thus rebel against God. Sin can only be overcome by obtaining a new nature but not in obedience of the law.   Any gospel that is preached that requires the salvation to be obtained through works of following the law goes against the Paul’s principles of Salvation through faith alone and justification by Christ righteousness. The law is just a standard but a means to salvation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Martin, Brice L. Christ and the Law in Paul. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2001.

La Grange Du Toit, Philip. "Paul's radicalisation of law-obedience in Romans 2: the plight of       someone under the law." In Die Skriflig, 1 2016.

Hübner, Hans. Law in Paul's Thought: A Contribution to the Development of Pauline Theology.   London: T. & T. Clark, 2004.

Hastings, Adrian, Alistair Mason, and Hugh Pyper. The Oxford Companion to Christian   Thought. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000

Wakefield, Andrew Hollis. Where to Live: The Hermeneutical Significance of Paul's Citations     from Scripture in Galatians 3:1-14. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2003.

Wendel, Susan J., and David M. Miller. Torah Ethics and Early Christian Identity. 2016.