1. Christ Fulfilling the Law
Jesus said in Matthew 5:17–18, '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.' The term 'fulfill' (Greek: plēroō) means to fill up, complete, or bring to full expression.
Christ fulfilled the Law in four ways:
1. He obeyed it perfectly (personal fulfillment).
2. He brought it to its goal in Himself (prophetic fulfillment).
3. He revealed its true depth (teaching fulfillment).
4. He transformed it into the New Covenant (covenantal fulfillment).
Chart: Fulfilled vs. Abolished
| Fulfilled | Abolished (Done away with) |
|---|---|
| Kept perfectly, honored, completed, and transformed by Christ. | Rendered void, destroyed, or canceled as worthless (which Jesus denied). |
2. Paul’s Conjunctions: 'But' vs 'And/Now'
Paul frequently uses the Greek conjunction δέ (*de*), which is often translated 'but' in English. However, it can also mean 'and,' 'now,' or 'then.' Translators sometimes sharpen contrasts by rendering it 'but,' when 'and' would emphasize continuity. This choice can influence how we read Paul's theology.
Chart: Paul's Use of δέ ('But' vs 'And/Now')
| Reference | With 'But' | With 'And/Now' |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 3:21 | But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it. | And now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it. |
| Romans 6:23 | For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. | For the wages of sin is death, and the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
| Romans 7:6 | But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. | And now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. |
| Romans 8:9 | You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. | You, however, are not in the flesh, and in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. |
| 1 Corinthians 1:27 | But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. | And God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. |
| 1 Corinthians 6:11 | And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. | And such were some of you. And you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. |
| 1 Corinthians 12:6 | And there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. | And there are varieties of activities, and it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. |
| Galatians 2:20 | I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me... | I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, and Christ who lives in me... |
| Galatians 3:23–25 | Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law... But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. | Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law... And now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. |
| Galatians 4:7 | So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. | So you are no longer a slave, and a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. |
| Ephesians 2:4–5 | But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. | And God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. |
| Ephesians 4:7 | But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. | And grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. |
| Philippians 3:7 | But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. | And whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. |
| Colossians 1:22–23 | ...he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death... but if indeed you continue in the faith... | ...he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death... and if indeed you continue in the faith... |
3. Types of Law in the Bible
| Law Type | Description | Status in Christ |
|---|---|---|
| Moral Law | Universal standards of right/wrong (e.g., Ten Commandments). | Still binding; affirmed in NT. |
| Ceremonial Law | Worship rituals, sacrifices, purity, holy days. | Fulfilled in Christ; not binding. |
| Civil Law | National regulations for Israel (justice, property, penalties). | Not binding; principles apply. |
| Sacrificial Law | Animal & grain offerings, Day of Atonement. | Fulfilled in Christ's sacrifice. |
| Priestly/Levitical Law | Rules for priests, tithes, temple duties. | Fulfilled in Christ, the High Priest. |
| Dietary Law | Clean/unclean foods. | Fulfilled in Christ; Some say not binding, Some say Binding |
| Sacred Time | Sabbaths, festivals, jubilee. | Fulfilled in Christ. |
| Natural Law | God’s will revealed in creation/conscience. | Always binding. |
| Law of Christ | Spirit-empowered love as new covenant law. | Binding on believers today. |
4. The Law of Sin and Death
The 'Law of Sin and Death' (Romans 8:2) refers to the principle that sin inevitably results in death. It can mean: (1) the principle that sin leads to death, (2) the Mosaic Law as hijacked by sin to condemn, and (3) bondage under sin's power.
Chart: Law of Sin and Death vs. Law of the Spirit of Life
| Category | Law of Sin and Death | Law of the Spirit of Life |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Principle that sin leads to death and condemnation. | Principle that the Spirit gives life and freedom in Christ. |
| Result | Death, hostility to God, condemnation. | Life, peace, justification. |
| Scriptures | Romans 6:23; 7:5; 8:2. | Romans 8:2–4; Galatians 5:22–23. |
5. What Was Nailed to the Cross?
Colossians 2:14 says that the 'record of debt with its legal demands' was nailed to the cross. This does not mean God's Law itself was destroyed, but that the guilt, curse, and penalty of sin—the outworking of the Law of Sin and Death—was nailed to the tree. Thus Christ bore the condemnation, fulfilling the Law and freeing believers.
Chart: God's Law vs Law of Sin and Death vs What Was Nailed
| Category | God's Law | Law of Sin and Death | What Was Nailed to the Cross |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature | Holy, righteous, good (Rom. 7:12). | Principle: sin → condemnation → death. | The record of debt; guilt, curse, penalty. |
| Status | Fulfilled in Christ; still holy. | Broken by Christ's death and resurrection. | Canceled and set aside (Col. 2:14). |
| Purpose | Reveals God’s holiness and will. | Shows consequence of sin. | Removes condemnation, grants freedom in Christ. |