Galatians

֎ ἔργον τοῦ νόμου (Ergon tou Nomou): Works of the Law

There are two types of works of the law:
Agathopoieo (to do good) vs. Kakopoieo (to do evil)

Luke 6:9

"Yeshua said to them, 'I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?'"

Good Works by Faith in God

Good works are actions done in obedience to God’s will, reflecting genuine faith and the true intent of the law given by Him.

Supporting Verses:

• Romans 2:7
  "To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life."

• Romans 2:10
  "Glory, honor, and peace will be given to everyone who does good: first to the Jew, then to the Greek."

• Romans 2:13
  "For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous."

• Romans 2:14
  "Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law."

• Romans 2:15
  "They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times defending them."

Evil Acts Without True Faith

Evil acts involve using the law to condemn others while justifying oneself. Such hypocritical misuse of the law distorts its purpose and leads to self-righteousness.

Supporting Verses:

• Romans 2:8
  "But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger."

• Romans 2:9
  "There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first to the Jew, then to the Greek."

• Romans 2:12
  "All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law."

• Romans 2:21
  "You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?"

• Romans 2:22
  "You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?"

• Romans 2:23
  "You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?"

• Romans 2:24
  "As it is written: 'God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.'"

֎ νόμου πίστεως (Nomou Pisteos): The Law of Faith

• This refers to the good works done in obedience to God, as outlined above. These works are performed by those who prioritize faith in the Kingdom of Heaven over the fleeting riches and glory of the world.

• It is only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, the Savior who grants eternal life, that such faith is made possible—cleansing sin and justifying believers.

• There is no other way.

֎ The Law, the Curse, and Redemption

1. The Curse of the Law and Christ’s Redemption

Galatians 3:13-14
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.' He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."

• Explanation:
  The curse of the law refers to the condemnation and death that come upon humanity when the law is not fully obeyed. Jesus bore this curse on the cross, making it possible for all who believe to receive eternal blessings and the promise of the Holy Spirit.

2. The Purpose of the Law and the Role of the Curse

Romans 7:7-12
"The law reveals sin and makes sin utterly sinful, showing us the necessity of God’s grace."

• Explanation:
  The law is holy and righteous, but it condemns humanity because no one can keep it perfectly. This exposes human weakness and sinfulness, leading us to realize our need for Christ.

  • Romans 8:3:
    "What the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in the flesh."

    • Jesus' sacrifice fully addressed the sin that the law exposed but could not remove.

3. Darkness Testifies to the Light

John 1:5
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

• Explanation:
  The curse of the law exposes the spiritual darkness of sin and death, which was completely overcome through Jesus, the Light.
  Just as the presence of darkness highlights the value of light, the condemnation and curse of the law emphasize the necessity and glory of the Gospel and God’s grace.

4. God’s Plan to Grant Eternal Blessings

Romans 10:4
"Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes."

• Explanation:
  The law pointed to Jesus, who fulfilled it completely.

  • Jeremiah 31:33-34:
    "I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people. No longer will they teach their neighbor or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord.

    • Through the Gospel, the new covenant was fulfilled, promising eternal blessings not based on external judgment but on the transformative grace of Christ.

Conclusion

The curse of the law was not the end but a prelude to God’s ultimate plan of salvation through the cross of Jesus Christ. Just as darkness underscores the brilliance of light, the condemnation brought by the law magnifies the necessity and beauty of the Gospel.

By fulfilling the demands and curse of the law, Jesus secured eternal blessings and freedom for all who believe. This reveals the profound wisdom and grace of God’s redemptive plan—a core truth of the Gospel.

֎ Issues Related to 'Legalism'

1. The Term 'Legalism' Does Not Exist in the Bible

The term 'legalism' is not found in the original biblical text. It was coined to criticize a strict adherence to the law (Torah) in a negative light. However, using this term risks distorting the true intent and value of the law.

• Example: Psalm 119 extols the joy and life that come from loving and meditating on the law.

  • To dismiss the law under the term 'legalism' undermines the genuine glory and purpose of the Torah.

2. A Misinterpretation by Fallen Humanity

The concept of 'legalism,' developed by modern theologians, can lead to the false notion that any effort to obey the law is inherently wrong.

• Paul’s Teaching Misrepresented:

  • Paul never denounced the law itself. Instead, he taught about the purpose of the law and its fulfillment in Christ.

  • The term 'legalism,' however, often distorts Paul’s message, making the law appear wholly negative or as something to be discarded.

Key Point

• The Torah was given as a source of wisdom, guidance, and joy, pointing to Christ’s fulfillment, not as a burdensome set of rules to be mocked under the term 'legalism.'

• Misusing this concept risks minimizing the law’s eternal significance and its role in leading us to God’s grace through Jesus Christ.

֎ Misunderstanding the Phrase 'Freedom from the Law'

Distortion of Biblical Context

The phrase 'freedom from the law' is often misunderstood, stemming from misinterpretations of passages like Romans 7:6 or Galatians 3:13.

• Paul's True Meaning:
  Paul was not speaking of liberation from the law itself, but rather from the condemnation and bondage of sin associated with the law.

  • Through Jesus Christ, believers are freed from the curse (condemnation) of the law, but this does not mean the law’s intrinsic value and purpose are abolished.

  • In Romans 8:4, Paul explicitly states that "the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us." Thus, the phrase 'freedom from the law' oversimplifies or misrepresents Paul’s teachings.

The Ongoing Role of the Law

Throughout scripture, the law (Torah) is portrayed as the holy guidance given by God, continuing to play an essential role in the lives of believers.

• Jesus’ Declaration:
  Jesus affirmed, "I have not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets" (Matthew 5:17).

  • Therefore, the phrase 'freedom from the law' is not only unbiblical but also contradicts the teachings of Jesus Himself.

This misunderstanding risks undermining the eternal significance and purpose of the law as a reflection of God’s holiness and wisdom.

֎ Understanding Paul's Intent Correctly

Paul sought to help believers understand the true role and meaning of the law. He taught that through the law, sin is recognized, and in Christ, believers are called to fulfill the essence of the law by following the guidance of the Spirit (Romans 7:7, Romans 8:3-4).
However, the modern church often simplifies Paul's teachings or adds human interpretations, leading to misunderstandings.

Conclusion
Terms like "legalism" or "freedom from the law" do not exist in the original biblical text. These expressions can distort the Bible’s original intent and promote misconceptions. The Bible does not instruct us to abandon or discard the law. Instead, it teaches that the law is fully fulfilled in Jesus Christ and that its essence is to be followed through the Spirit.

Rather than relying on such terms, it is crucial to meditate deeply on biblical expressions and contexts to understand and use them accurately.