Law of God/Moses/Christ/the Spirit

[jonathanbrickman0000]

HI, WOULD YOU MIND GIVING AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU MEAN BY FREEDOM IN CHRIST.

I do not mind at all. Here are some examples of freedom in Christ, in righteousness, which did not exist under the Law of God of the Old Covenant:

• We have the freedom to not help execute adulterers, adulteresses, disobedient sons, and many others.
• We have the freedom to not consider our bodies unclean, if we touch dead carcasses.
• We have the freedom, those of us who are fertile women, to not consider ourselves unclean one per month.
• We have the freedom to not keep any days, weeks, months, or years, as sacred and set apart.
• We have the freedom to eat any kinds of meat, knowing that all of them were made clean at the Resurrection.
• We have the freedom to abandon all sworn vows and never enter into any more.
• We have the freedom to not offer blood sacrifices every year.
• We have the freedom to not offer any kind of sacrifices for wrongdoing, but instead to ask God for the Blood of the Lamb to cleanse us.
• We have the freedom to forgive, rather than to require eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.

And there are many more.

 

[JLB]

The character traits of God are eternal, so any instructions that God has ever given for how to be a doer of His character traits are eternally valid for anyone who has the goal of knowing God and Jesus by being a doer of His character traits regardless of when those instructions were given. For example, the way to be a doer of righteousness and justice didn't change when the Mosaic Covenant was given, but rather both Abraham and Moses taught how to walk in God's way (Genesis 18:19, Exodus 33:13).

The Mosaic Covenant was added to the Abrahamic Covenant, until the Messiah came.

The Abrahamic Covenant was made between the LORD Jesus Christ (before He became flesh) and Abraham.

The character and nature of God are formed within from the new Divine nature, not by external commandments written in stone.

The Lord Himself dwells within us and teaches us all things by His Spirit, something the law of Moses could never do.

Abraham learned directly from the Lord, like the Lord intended Adam and Eve to learn… from the tree of life.


And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”
Genesis 26:4-5


The New Covenant laws and commandments are written on our heart and mind and are also taught to us directly from the Spirit of truth, from within.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26


But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 1 John 2:27

 

[Soyeong]

Romans 7:22: “For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being.”

This verse emphasizes the believer’s inner delight in the moral will of God. T

Paul did not specify that he was only speaking about part of the Law of God. God has not given any laws that were just external commandments, that did not reveal His moral will, that do not resonate with the believers new nature, or that were not in accordance. with His character.

Psalm 19:7-8: “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart...”

The Law of God is foundational and reflects His holiness.

In 1 Peter 1:16, we are told to behold for God is holy, which is a quote from Leviticus where God was giving instruction for how to do that, which is acting in accordance with His moral character, such as by refraining form eating unclean animals (Leviticus 11:44-45). If our goal is to be in God's likeness by being a doer of His character traits, then, the only way we should cease to follow God's instructions for how to be holy as He is holy would be if He were to cease to be holy.

the application changes after Christ’s death and resurrection.

In Titus 2:14, Jesus gave himself to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own possession who are zealous for doing good works, so the way to believe in what Jesus spent his ministry teaching by word and by example and in what he accomplished through the cross is by repenting and becoming zealous for doing good works in obedience to the Law of Moses (Acts 21:20).

Galatians 3:24: “So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.”

Here, Paul refers to the Law of Moses as a "guardian" or "tutor" that pointed to Christ. The Mosaic Law’s purpose was to show Israel their sinfulness and need for a Savior.

Someone who disregarded everything that their tutor taught them after they left would be missing the whole point of a tutor. A child no longer needs a guardian to help them cross a busy street when they have been taught how to safely cross on their own, but it would be incorrect for them to think that means that they are then free to play in a busy street. Jesus did not come with the message to stop repenting because the Law of Moses has ended now that he has come and we are now free to be doers of what it reveals to be wickedness, but just the opposite.

The Law of Moses teaches us how to point towards Christ by testifying about His character traits and we should live in a way that points towards him in accordance with the example that he set for us to follow rather than a way that points away from him. The Law of Moses was given to teach us how to know Him by walking in His way, sin is what is contrary to God's way, and Jesus saves us from our sin by graciously teaching us to walk in God's way, so the Law of Moses does not just reveal our need for Savior, but also reveals the way that he is giving us his gift of salvation. The only way that the Law of Moses can be temporary would be if the things that it teaches us about eternal God's character are temporary.

Romans 10:4: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

The Law of Moses, with its emphasis on external rituals and ordinances, is fulfilled in Christ.

That verse doesn't specify anything about external rituals or ordinances. In Romans 9:30-10:4, they had a zeal for God, but it was not based on knowing Him, so they failed to attain righteousness because they misunderstood the goal of the law by pursuing it as though righteousness were earned as the result of their works instead of pursing it through faith in Christ, for knowing Christ is the goal of the law for righteousness for everyone who has faith. In Romans 10:5-10, this faith refers to Deuteronomy 30 as the word of faith that we proclaim in regard to proclaiming that the Law of Moses is not too difficult for us to obey, that obedience to it brings life and a blessing, in regard to what we are agreeing to obey by confessing that Jesus is Lord, and in regard to the way to believe that God raised him from the dead for salvation. So nothing in this passage has anything to do with Christ ending God's law and it doesn't even make sense to think that God's word made flesh ended God's word, but rather he fulfilled the it by teaching us how to correctly obey it.

Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Everything in the Law of Moses is either in regard to how to love God or how to love our neighbor, which is why Jesus said in Matthew 22:36-40 that those are the greatest two commandments and that all of the other commandments hang on the, so the position that we should obey the greatest two commandments is also the position hat we should obey the rest of the Law of Moses.

1 Corinthians 9:21: “To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.”.

Paul said in a parallel statement that he was not outside the Law of God, but under the Law of Christ, so he equated the Law of God with the Law of Christ and the Bible refers to the Law of Moses as being the Law of God. Christ spent his ministry fulfilling the Law of Moses by teaching his followers how to correctly obey it by word and by example, so I don't see any justification for thinking that the Law of Christ is something other than or contrary to anything that Christ taught.

4. The Law of the Spirit
Romans 8:2: “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

The Law of the Spirit contrasts with the Law of Moses.

In Romans 7:22-8:2, Paul said that he delighted in obeying the Law of God and that he served it with his mind in contrast with saying that the law of sin was waging war against the law of his mind, that he served it with his flesh, that it held him captive, and that the Law of the Spirit free us from it, so the Law of Moses is not the law of sin, but rather Paul equated the Law of Moses with the Law of the Spirit in contrast with the law of sin.

Galatians 5:18: “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

This verse contrasts living under the Mosaic Law with living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Law of the Spirit is not a legalistic code but refers to the leading and empowering of the Spirit that enables believers to live according to God’s will.

The Spirit is God, so it doesn't make sense to interpret that as the saying that we aren't. under the Law of God when we are led by God. In Galatians 5:16-23, Paul contrasted the desires of the flesh with the desires of the Spirit and everything that he listed as works of the flesh that are against the Spirit are also against the Law of Moses while all of the fruits of the Sprit are aspects of God's character that the Law of Moses was given to teach us how to express. If we weren't under the Law of Moses, then we would be free to partake in what it reveals to be the desires of the flesh, but that is the opposite of what Paul is saying in this passage. Rather, the desires of the flesh causing us not to do the good that we want to do is how Paul described his struggle with the law of sin in Romans 7, so that is the law that we aren't under when we are led by the Spirit.

Romans 8:4: “In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”


The Law of the Spirit fulfills the righteous requirements of the Law of God by enabling believers to live in obedience to God’s will. It is the Spirit’s power in believers’ lives that brings about obedience, not through external law-keeping.

The Law of the Spirit is the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit who enables believers to walk in obedience to God. It is not external law but internal transformation, marking a shift from external rule-keeping to an internal, Spirit-empowered life.

In Romans 8:4-7, Paul contrasted those who walk in the Spirit with those who have minds set on the flesh who are enemies of God who refuse to submit to the Law of Moses. God has not commanded anything that wasn't in accordance with walking the Spirit.

Comparison of Terms

All of God's righteous laws eternal (Psalms 119:160), inherently compose the moral law, reflect His character traits, are which are focused on love and grace, and are in accordance with the transformative power of the Spirit.

 

[Soyeong]

Most certainly.

Freedom from the Curse of the Law
Galatians 3:13 — "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us..."
In the Mosaic covenant, disobedience brought covenantal curses (Deut. 28). Christ’s atonement removes the legal penalty (curse) from believers, freeing them from judicial condemnation under the Law.

Being freed from the curse of lawlessness is being set free to enjoy the blessing of lawfulness.

2. Freedom from Sin’s Dominion
Romans 6:14 — "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
Freedom in Christ means no longer being enslaved to sin as a ruling power. While the Law could define sin, it could not deliver from its reign. In Christ, we are free to live unto righteousness (Rom. 6:18).

The Law of Moses leads us to do what is holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12) while the law of sin leads us in the opposite direction by stirring up sinful passions in order to bear fruit unto death (Romans 7:5). In Romans 6:14, Paul described the law that we are not under as being a law where sin and dominion over us, which does not describe the Law of Moses, but rather that is the role of the law of sin. In Romans 6:15, Paul said that being under grace does not mean that we are permitted to sin, and in Romans 3:20, it is by the Law of Moses that we have knowledge of what sin is, so we are still under it, but are not under the law of sin. In Romans 6:16, Paul continued to contrast these two opposite directions where we are slaves to the one that we obey, either of the law of sin, which leads to death or of obedience to the Law of God, with leads to righteousness.

3. Freedom from Guilt and Fear of Judgment
Romans 8:1 — "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus..."
In Christ, the believer is declared justified, freeing the conscience from constant guilt and the fear of divine wrath, which the Law stirred (Rom. 4:15).

In 1 John 2:6, those who are in Christ are obligated to walk in the same way that he walked, so verses that refer to those who are in Christ are only referring to those who are following his example of walking in obedience to the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses brings wrath for those who refuse to submit to it.

4. Freedom from Ritual Observance as a Means of Righteousness
Galatians 5:1 — "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Paul defines "bondage" as reliance on the Law (especially circumcision and ritual observance) for justification. In Christ, righteousness is through faith, not external rites.

If God freed the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt in order to put them under bondage to His law, then it would be for bondage that God sets us free, however, Galatians 5:1 says that it is for freedom that God sets us free. In Psalms 119:142, the Law of Moses is truth, and in John 8:31-36, it is the transgression of the Law of Moses that puts us into bondage while the truth sets us free. It would be contradictory for someone to think that we should have faith in God for salvation, but not in what God has instructed or to think that we should have faith in God's word made flesh for salvation, but not in God's word.

5. Freedom of Conscience in Disputable Matters
Romans 14:5–6 — "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind..."
In Christ, the believer is free in matters where the Law or Christ gives no direct command, such as dietary rules or festival days. This liberty includes responsibility to not judge or offend others.

In Romans 14:1, the topic of the chapter is in regard to how to handle disputable matters of opinion in which God has given no command, not in regard to whether followers of God should follow His commands. For example, in Romans 14:2-3, they were judging and resenting each other based on whether someone chose to eat only vegetables even though God gave no command to do that.

In Romans 14:4-6, Paul referred to those who ate unto the Lord or refrained from eating, so he was speaking about those who esteem certain days for fasting as a matter of opinion. For example in the 1st century it had become a common practice to fast twice a week and people were judging and resenting each other based on whether someone chose to do that even though God has given no command to do that (Luke 18:12). Paul was not suggesting that we are free to break the Sabbath, commit murder, adultery, idolatry, theft, rape, favoritism, kidnapping, or disobey any of God's other commands just as long as we are convinced in our own minds that rebellion against God is ok, but rather that was only said in regard to disputable matters of opinion in which God has given no command.

6. Freedom to Approach God Directly
Hebrews 10:19–20 — "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus..."
The veil is torn (Matt. 27:51); we are no longer restricted to Levitical intermediaries. In Christ, we have direct access to the Father through the Spirit (Eph. 2:18).

7. Freedom to Serve in Love, Not by Obligation
Galatians 5:13 — "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."
Christian liberty is not license but empowerment. Freed from obligation-based obedience, we now serve others voluntarily through Spirit-enabled love.

While we should serve God out of love, God is sovereign, so we are nevertheless still obligated to obey Him.

8. Freedom from Satan’s Dominion
Colossians 1:13 — "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son."
Salvation in Christ breaks the enslaving authority of the devil over the soul, freeing us from fear, accusation, and spiritual blindness.

Freedom in Christ is not the autonomy to do whatever one pleases, but the Spirit-given ability to live righteously, without the condemnation, ritual obligation, or spiritual blindness that once enslaved under the Law or sin.

God bless.

J.

In Titus 2:14, Jesus gave himself to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own possession who are zealous for doing good works, so the freedom that we have in Christ is not the freedom to do anything that God has revealed through the Law of Moses to be sin, but the freedom from sin. The way to believe in what Jesus accomplished through the cross is by becoming zealous for doing good works in obedience to the Law of Moses (Acts 21:20).

 

[JLB]

Jesus did not come with the message to stop repenting because the Law of Moses has ended now that he has come and we are now free to be doers of what it reveals to be wickedness, but just the opposite.

Jesus came to provide us with a better way which is to have Him dwell within us and teach us personally from within our heart. Something the law of Moses was incapable of.

The law of Moses was nailed to the cross, and therefore taken out of the way, because it was obsolete and no longer need.

Now we have His Commandments written on our heart and mind, within a new divine nature that is compatible with being filled with His Spirit, to lead us in the ways of righteousness from within.

The promise of the New Covenant is that the LORD Himself would teach each one of us, because we “know” Him, we are joined to Him and one spirit with Him, thus being one spirit with the Spirit of eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Just because the law of Moses has been abolished in His flesh, having been nailed to the cross, doesn’t mean we are without law.

We are now under grace which means we are obligated to obey the Spirit of grace; which refers to the law of Christ.

The same law Abraham obeyed because he walked before Him and was blameless, 430 years before the law of Moses.

because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws. Genesis 26:5


JLB

 

[JLB]

Being freed from the curse of lawlessness is being set free to enjoy the blessing of lawfulness.

It does say the curse of lawlessness.

It says the curse of the law.

 

[JLB]

The way to believe in what Jesus accomplished through the cross is by becoming zealous for doing good works in obedience to the Law of Moses

And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. Acts 21:20-21


Nothing here about obedience to the law of Moses.

Quite the opposite.

Do you believe Christians are obligated to become circumcised?

 

[Johann!@#]

The law of Moses was nailed to the cross, and therefore taken out of the way, because it was obsolete and no longer need.

Was the law of Moses nailed to the cross? Abolished, taken out of the way?


Paul Upholds the Moral Law as Fulfilled in the Spirit but Never Abolished
Paul declares freedom from the letter of the Mosaic covenant (Romans 7:6; 2 Corinthians 3:6),
  but never nullifies the moral core of God's law — rather, he affirms it is fulfilled by walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16),
  written in the heart (Romans 2:15),
  manifested in love (Romans 13:10),
  and upheld by conscience and faith (1 Timothy 1:5).

Nowhere does Paul treat the Ten Commandments as void or irrelevant; rather, he regards them as part of the ethical norm now fulfilled in Christ and through the Spirit.

Was the LAW abolished?


Ephesians 2:14–15 - Christ Abolished the Law of Commandments in Ordinances
Greek:
τὸν νόμον τῶν ἐντολῶν ἐν δόγμασι καταργήσας...


"He [Christ] abolished in His flesh the law of commandments in ordinances [τῶν ἐντολῶν ἐν δόγμασι]."

The phrase “ἐν δόγμασι” (in ordinances) is critical. The term δόγμα refers not to God’s universal moral commands, but to decrees, prescriptions, or statutes - especially those tied to ritual and ceremonial practice (see Luke 2:1; Acts 16:4; Colossians 2:14).

Christ’s death annulled those legal distinctions that separated Jew and Gentile - dietary laws, circumcision, priesthood, purification, and sacrificial rites.
Moral law is not included in this annulment, as evidenced by the continuation of ethical imperatives in verses like Ephesians 4:25–5:6.

II. Colossians 2:14 - The Handwriting of Ordinances Was Nailed to the Cross
Greek:
ἐξαλείψας τὸ καθ’ ἡμῶν χειρόγραφον τοῖς δόγμασιν... ἤρκεν αὐτὸ ἐκ τοῦ μέσου προσηλώσας αὐτὸ τῷ σταυρῷ·


"Having blotted out the handwriting of ordinances [χειρόγραφον τοῖς δόγμασιν] that was against us... and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross." NOT THE LAW JLB

The χειρόγραφον (“certificate of debt”) refers to the written record of legal liabilities - Israel’s binding obligations under Mosaic law.

The accompanying δόγματα again point to ritual and ceremonial prescriptions (cf. Colossians 2:20–22).
Paul then warns in vv. 16–17 against being judged for food, drink, new moons, Sabbaths, which were shadows, not substance.
He never includes prohibitions against murder, adultery, idolatry - only ceremonial law.

Shalom.

Johann.

 

[Johann!@#]

Everything in the Law of Moses is either in regard to how to love God or how to love our neighbor, which is why Jesus said in Matthew 22:36-40 that those are the greatest two commandments and that all of the other commandments hang on the, so the position that we should obey the greatest two commandments is also the position hat we should obey the rest of the Law of Moses.

I fully concur...

Johann.

 

[JLB]

Nowhere does Paul treat the Ten Commandments as void or irrelevant;

Of course not.

But the again the law of Moses isn’t just the 10 commandments.

613

Remember that Abraham obeyed His commandments and laws 430 years before the law of Moses.


All of which were predicated upon physical circumcision.

Do you believe Christians are obligated to become physically circumcised and keep the law of Moses?

 

[JLB]

Was the law of Moses nailed to the cross?

Yes.

Abolished, taken out of the way?

Yes.

 

[JLB]

Having blotted out the handwriting of ordinances [χειρόγραφον τοῖς δόγμασιν] that was against us... and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross."

What does “it” refer to?

It refered to the witness against them.

So it was, when Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book, when they were finished, that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying: “Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there as a witness against you;
Deuteronomy 31:24-26

 

[Johann!@#]

Yes.




Yes.

Right brother, I have showed you from scripture this is not the case.

Not here to argue or to be confrontational.

Nowhere does Paul treat the Ten Commandments as void or irrelevant...
But you're conflating categories that Paul himself carefully distinguishes.

Yes... the law of Moses includes far more than the Ten Commandments - the rabbis later counted 613 commandments, spanning moral, ceremonial, and civil domains. But that doesn’t mean all of it operates the same way under the new covenant.

Paul consistently distinguishes between the enduring moral law - things like “you shall not murder, steal, commit adultery” - and the covenantal/legal system of Moses that functioned as a temporary guardian.

Romans 13:8–10 proves this… Paul cites several commandments from the Decalogue and says they are fulfilled in love. That is not nullification... it's transformation under grace.

Romans 2:14–15 further supports this... where Paul acknowledges that Gentiles who have never received the Torah can nevertheless obey what the law requires because it is written on the heart — a clear reference to moral law, not ceremonial codes.

As for Abraham... Genesis 26:5 says he obeyed God's commandments, statutes, and laws, yes... but that doesn't mean he kept the Torah of Moses, which came 430 years later. Paul makes that exact point in Galatians 3:17. You’re reading later legal terminology into an earlier context... Abraham obeyed what God revealed to him in his time — not what was given to Israel at Sinai.

And remember... Paul says clearly in Galatians 3:19 that the law was "added because of transgressions... until the Seed should come." That time-bound covenant — the law as a guardian - was fulfilled in Christ.

We're no longer under that covenant structure (Galatians 3:25)... but that doesn’t mean lawlessness. Romans 8:4 says the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us... not by returning to Sinai, but by walking in the Spirit.

So no... Paul doesn’t treat the Ten Commandments as void, but neither does he lump them into the same category as the full Mosaic code. And no... Abraham didn’t keep the 613 commandments — the law hadn’t even been given yet. That’s Paul’s entire point in Romans 4 and Galatians 3.

Johann.

 

[Johann!@#]

What does “it” refer to?

It refered to the witness against them.

So it was, when Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book, when they were finished, that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying: “Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there as a witness against you;
Deuteronomy 31:24-26

You're asking what the "it" refers to... and claiming it refers to the Book of the Law as a "witness against them" - citing Deuteronomy 31:24–26. But your linkage ignores both the Greek grammar and Paul’s context in Colossians.

First... χειρόγραφον ("handwriting") is not a generic term for the Mosaic Law. It's a hapax legomenon in the NT, and it referred in extra-biblical usage to a record of debt, a handwritten certificate of obligation, often legal or financial. It is not the term Paul uses when he refers to the law itself (νόμος), nor to the Decalogue, nor to Scripture.

Second... the phrase τοῖς δόγμασιν refers to decrees or rulings — the same word used in Ephesians 2:15: "Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, the law of commandments contained in ordinances [δόγμασιν]."
That text clarifies the meaning: it's legal ordinances, particularly ritual, ceremonial, and identity-defining laws - not moral absolutes, not the law as a whole, and not the Decalogue in isolation.

Third... contextually, Paul is not contrasting two written scrolls (as you're doing with Deuteronomy 31). He’s speaking of the record of our guilt, what was “against us” - and that’s why he connects it directly with forgiveness in Colossians 2:13:

"Having forgiven you all trespasses... blotting out the record of debt..."

So no... Paul is not saying that the Torah scroll was nailed to the cross. He’s saying that the indictment against us — our guilt under the law, expressed through binding decrees — was canceled in Christ’s death. That's exactly what he says in Romans 7:4 - we died to the law by the body of Christ, not because the Scriptures themselves were abolished.

As for Deuteronomy 31... yes, Moses said the Book of the Law was placed beside the ark as a witness against Israel - but you're importing that image into Colossians 2 with no grammatical or contextual support.
Paul nowhere uses χειρόγραφον for that scroll — and again, his emphasis is not on the document, but the legal demands that condemned us — what Christ fulfilled and nullified by His atoning death.

Try tracing Paul’s argument instead of forcing one from Deuteronomy into Colossians...
Two different contexts... two different languages... two different covenants... one Savior.

Johann.

 

[JLB]

Was the law of Moses nailed to the cross? Abolished, taken out of the way?


Paul Upholds the Moral Law as Fulfilled in the Spirit but Never Abolished
Paul declares freedom from the letter of the Mosaic covenant (Romans 7:6; 2 Corinthians 3:6),
  but never nullifies the moral core of God's law — rather, he affirms it is fulfilled by walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16),
  written in the heart (Romans 2:15),
  manifested in love (Romans 13:10),
  and upheld by conscience and faith (1 Timothy 1:5).

Nowhere does Paul treat the Ten Commandments as void or irrelevant; rather, he regards them as part of the ethical norm now fulfilled in Christ and through the Spirit.

Was the LAW abolished?


Ephesians 2:14–15 - Christ Abolished the Law of Commandments in Ordinances
Greek:
τὸν νόμον τῶν ἐντολῶν ἐν δόγμασι καταργήσας...


"He [Christ] abolished in His flesh the law of commandments in ordinances [τῶν ἐντολῶν ἐν δόγμασι]."

The phrase “ἐν δόγμασι” (in ordinances) is critical. The term δόγμα refers not to God’s universal moral commands, but to decrees, prescriptions, or statutes - especially those tied to ritual and ceremonial practice (see Luke 2:1; Acts 16:4; Colossians 2:14).

Christ’s death annulled those legal distinctions that separated Jew and Gentile - dietary laws, circumcision, priesthood, purification, and sacrificial rites.
Moral law is not included in this annulment, as evidenced by the continuation of ethical imperatives in verses like Ephesians 4:25–5:6.

II. Colossians 2:14 - The Handwriting of Ordinances Was Nailed to the Cross
Greek:
ἐξαλείψας τὸ καθ’ ἡμῶν χειρόγραφον τοῖς δόγμασιν... ἤρκεν αὐτὸ ἐκ τοῦ μέσου προσηλώσας αὐτὸ τῷ σταυρῷ·


"Having blotted out the handwriting of ordinances [χειρόγραφον τοῖς δόγμασιν] that was against us... and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross." NOT THE LAW JLB

The χειρόγραφον (“certificate of debt”) refers to the written record of legal liabilities - Israel’s binding obligations under Mosaic law.

The accompanying δόγματα again point to ritual and ceremonial prescriptions (cf. Colossians 2:20–22).
Paul then warns in vv. 16–17 against being judged for food, drink, new moons, Sabbaths, which were shadows, not substance.
He never includes prohibitions against murder, adultery, idolatry - only ceremonial law.

Shalom.

Johann.

What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Galatians 3:19

By saying “until” the Holy Spirit is indicating the law was always designed to be temporary.

Keep in my I am saying the law of Moses was abolished because it was always temporary.

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, Ephesians 2:14-15

The laws of Moses was comprised of animal sacrifices, physical circumcision, Sabbath laws, feast days, ceremonial washings, clothing laws, food laws and so forth; none of which was any benefit against the indulgence of the fleshly appetites.


The laws and commandments of Gods kingdom are eternal.


Under the New Covenant His laws and commandments are written on our heart and mind.

We have a new nature that is divine, and therefore is compatible with the Holy Spirit and needs to be filled with the Spirit each day, that we may walk according to the Spirit, and not fulfill the deeds of the flesh.

Jesus is the Mediator of the New Covenant as Moses was mediator of the Covenant of Sinai. There it was called the law of Moses.

The New Covenant is governed by the law of Christ, as He is the Mediator.

The Priesthood we are under is not the Levitical Priesthood, but the Melchizedek Priesthood.


He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 2:4

Keeping His commandments is the very definition of love; loving the LORD our God and loving our neighbor.

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
1 John 5:3

 

[Johann!@#]

What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Galatians 3:19

By saying “until” the Holy Spirit is indicating the law was always designed to be temporary.

Keep in my I am saying the law of Moses was abolished because it was always temporary.

Brother, I understand the view you're presenting-it's a common one - that the Law of Moses was abolished because it was always intended to be temporary, and you're appealing rightly to Galatians 3:19 and Ephesians 2:14–15 to support that.

But I believe you're overlooking some key distinctions in the text itself, particularly in how Paul handles categories like moral law, ceremonial ordinances, and the ongoing covenantal role of the law after the coming of Christ.

When Paul says in Galatians 3:19 that the Law was “added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come,” he's referring specifically to the law’s tutor role - its pedagogical function to expose sin and drive people to Christ (cf. Gal. 3:24) - not to an abolishment of God’s moral standards.

In fact, Paul goes on to say in Romans 3:31, “Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the law.”

Then in Ephesians 2:14–15, what is abolished is clearly defined: “the law of commandments in ordinances” — τὸν νόμον τῶν ἐντολῶν ἐν δόγμασιν.

That phrase in Greek points to ritual and ceremonial laws, the kinds of regulations that formed a wall of separation between Jew and Gentile — things like circumcision, dietary laws, and temple purity requirements (cf. Acts 15:5–11, Col. 2:14–17). Christ’s death removes those shadows by fulfilling them - but this is not the same as removing all moral imperatives.

Christ Himself affirms in Matthew 5:17–19 that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, and that not one jot or tittle would pass away until all is fulfilled.

Fulfillment does not equal cancellation. You with me so far brother?

You’re also blending categories that Scripture keeps distinct: the Law of Moses included moral, civil, and ceremonial aspects.

Yes, the Mosaic covenant - as a national and ceremonial system - was fulfilled and brought to its intended end in Christ. But God's moral law, which existed before Sinai (cf. Genesis 26:5) and is written anew on hearts under the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10), is not what Paul calls temporary or abolished.

So while I appreciate your appeal to Scripture, I think your reading flattens the nuanced and covenantally consistent teaching of both Christ and Paul. Fulfillment is not abolition, and moral accountability did not expire at the cross -it was clarified, intensified, and internalized through the Spirit.

Here, allow me to illustrate as I am a visual person--


Paul’s Use of “Law” (Νόμος) Comparative Chart
Name of the Law Greek Term / Phrase Key Verse(s) Meaning / Function
1. The Law of Moses ὁ νόμος (often without qualification) Galatians 3:19, Romans 7:7 The Torah, particularly the commandments given at Sinai — including moral, civil, and ceremonial aspects.
2. The Law of God νόμος Θεοῦ Romans 7:22, 8:7 The moral will of God; often overlaps with God’s eternal standards, distinct from ritual law.
3. The Law of Sin νόμος τῆς ἁμαρτίας Romans 7:23, 25; 8:2 A principle or power that dwells in human flesh and leads one to sin; personified and contrasted with God’s law.
4. The Law of the Spirit of Life νόμος τοῦ πνεύματος τῆς ζωῆς Romans 8:2 The principle or governing power of the Holy Spirit that liberates from sin and death through Christ.
5. The Law of Faith νόμος πίστεως Romans 3:27 The governing principle by which righteousness is received — not through works, but through faith in Christ.
6. The Law of Righteousness νόμον δικαιοσύνης Romans 9:31 A standard of righteousness that Israel sought through the Mosaic Law, but failed to attain without faith.
7. The Law of Christ νόμος Χριστοῦ Galatians 6:2, cf. 1 Corinthians 9:21 The moral and ethical teachings of Christ, especially as summed up in the law of love (cf. John 13:34–35).

Clarifying the “Law of Christ” vs. God’s Moral Law
The Law of Christ is not a new legal code invented by Jesus; it is the fulfillment and embodiment of God’s moral law, now internalized through the Spirit and centered on self-giving love (cf. Romans 13:8–10; Galatians 5:14).

It is expressed especially in bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and is rooted in Christ’s own command: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34).

Thus, the Law of Christ encompasses God's moral law, but not in the same outwardly codified form as the Sinai covenant. It is now empowered by the Spirit and patterned after the example of Christ.

SPECIAL TOPIC: MOSES' AUTHORSHIP OF THE PENTATEUCH

Moses' Authorship of the Pentateuch -- Special Topic by Dr. Bob Utley, professor of hermeneutics (retired).

freebiblecommentary.org

SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S VIEWS OF THE MOSAIC LAW

Paul's View of the Mosaic Law -- Special Topic by Dr. Bob Utley, professor of hermeneutics (retired).

freebiblecommentary.org

I highly recommend you read this brother, Utley is fallible, but studying the Scriptures NEVER boring as you listen to him.

His advise--


Possible Approaches to Good Bible Reading

At this point I am not discussing the unique techniques of interpreting specific genres but general hermeneutical principles valid for all types of biblical texts. A good book for genre-specific approaches is How To Read The Bible For All Its Worth, by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, published by Zondervan.

My methodology focuses initially on the reader allowing the HolySpirit to illumine the Bible through four personal reading cycles. This makes the Spirit, the text and the reader primary, not secondary. This also protects the reader from being unduly influenced by commentators. I have heard it said: "The Bible throws a lot of light on commentaries.” This is not meant to be a depreciating comment about study aids, but rather a plea for an appropriate timing for their use.
We must be able to support our interpretations from the text itself. Five areas provide at least limited verification:

historical setting
literary context
grammatical structures (syntax)
contemporary word usage
relevant parallel passages
genre
We need to be able to provide the reasons and logic behind our interpretations. The Bible is our only source for faith and practice. Sadly, Christians often disagree about what it teaches or affirms. The four reading cycles are designed to provide the following interpretive insights:

The first reading cycle
Read the book in a single sitting. Read it again in a different translation, hopefully from a different translation theory
(1) word-for-word (NKJV, NASB, NRSV)
(2) dynamic equivalent (TEV, JB)
(3) paraphrase (Living Bible, Amplified Bible)
Look for the central purpose of the entire writing. Identify its theme.
Isolate (if possible) a literary unit, a chapter, a paragraph or a sentence which clearly expresses this central purpose or theme.
Identify the predominant literary genre
(1) Old Testament
a) Hebrew narrative
b) Hebrew poetry (wisdom literature, psalm)
c) Hebrew prophecy (prose, poetry)
d) Law codes
(2) New Testament
a) Narratives (Gospels, Acts)
b) Parables (Gospels)
c) Letters/epistles
d) Apocalyptic literature

The second reading cycle
Read the entire book again, seeking to identify major topics or subjects.
Outline the major topics and briefly state their contents in a simple statement.
Check your purpose statement and broad outline with study aids.

The third reading cycle
Read the entire book again, seeking to identify the historical setting and specific occasion for the writing from the Bible book itself.
List the historical items that are mentioned in the Bible book
(1) the author
(2) the date
(3) the recipients
(4) the specific reason for writing
(5) aspects of the cultural setting that relate to the purpose of the writing
(6) references to historical people and events
Expand your outline to paragraph level for that part of the biblical book you are interpreting. Always identify and outline the literary unit. This may be several chapters or paragraphs. This enables you to follow the original author’s logic and textual design.
Check your historical setting by using study aids.


Be blessed my brother-you are a good supporter.

Johann.

 

[JLB]

When Paul says in Galatians 3:19 that the Law was “added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come,” he's referring specifically to the law’s tutor role - its pedagogical function to expose sin and drive people to Christ (cf. Gal. 3:24) - not to an abolishment of God’s moral standards.

I appreciate your participation in this thread and thank you for your input.

Please carefully consider the words scripture and do not add to them other words that are not in the text.

What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Galatians 3:19

• What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come

The law of Moses not parts of it or aspects of it.
“It” the law of Moses was added UNTIL the Seed should come.

The only question concerning the law of Moses is:

Has the Seed come?

The purpose of the law being added was to be in effect UNTIL Messiah should come.

UNTIL is clear.

Brother UNTIL has come and the law has served its purpose and has become obsolete.

The law was the dividing wall of separation between Jew and Gentile, therefore it has been broken down to make room for the New Covenant in His blood that unites, not divides Jew Gentile.

• having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, Ephesians 2:14-15

 

[Johann!@#]

Please carefully consider the words scripture and do not add to them other words that are not in the text.

I believe I’ve already responded to each of your points with Scripture - not once, but three separate times now.


Also, given the 1,000-character limit here, it's going to be quite difficult to engage thoroughly with the Pauline epistles, which require careful nuance and context.

Please don't assume I'm adding words to the written text brother.

Shalom.

J.

 

[Johann!@#]

Please carefully consider the words scripture and do not add to them other words that are not in the text.

What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Galatians 3:19

• What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come

Please read context and don't "proof-text" brother.

Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Gal 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
Gal 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Brother UNTIL has come and the law has served its purpose and has become obsolete.

That claim has already been demonstrated to be incorrect.

Chapters in the Pauline Epistles Affirming God's Moral Law
Epistle Chapter Key Focus / Statement Explanation
Romans 2 vv. 12–16 "The work of the law written on their hearts..." Even Gentiles show God's moral law is active and binding through conscience.
Romans 3 v. 31 "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Faith does not abolish God’s moral law, but confirms its righteous standard.
Romans 6 Entire chapter "Shall we sin because we are not under the law...?" Moral obedience is still required; grace does not license sin.
Romans 7 vv. 7–14 "The law is holy... and the commandment holy, just, and good." Paul affirms the law’s enduring moral character, even while exposing sin.
Romans 8 vv. 3–4 "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us..." The Spirit enables believers to meet the righteous requirement of the moral law.
Romans 13 vv. 8–10 "Love is the fulfilling of the law." The moral essence of the law—love—is still binding in the law of Christ.
1 Corinthians 7 v. 19 "Circumcision is nothing... but keeping the commandments of God." Paul distinguishes ceremonial law from moral commandments which remain.
Galatians 5 vv. 13–23 "The works of the flesh... are manifest... but the fruit of the Spirit..." Paul upholds a moral standard aligned with God’s law and empowered by the Spirit.
1 Timothy 1 vv. 8–11 "The law is good, if one uses it lawfully..." The moral law still applies to sinners as a standard of righteousness and judgment.
Ephesians 6 vv. 1–3 "Honor your father and mother... the first commandment with promise." Paul cites the Decalogue (Exodus 20:12) as morally binding under the New Covenant.

---and there are many more.

All Jesus Commands In a Single PDF

In the Great Commission, Jesus defines discipleship as "teaching them to observe everything I've commanded you." He also said, "If you love me, keep my commands." I'd say that means the stakes are pretty high!But what commands did Jesus give? Do most church attenders even know? I'm a 20 year...

www.newstartdiscipleship.com

Freely I have received, freely I give.

J.

 

[JLB]

Please don't assume I'm adding words to the written text brother.

No assumption sir.

I can see plainly that have added your own words to create a different meaning.

But I believe you're overlooking some key distinctions in the text itself, particularly in how Paul handles categories like moral law, ceremonial ordinances, and the ongoing covenantal role of the law after the coming of Christ.

When Paul says in Galatians 3:19 that the Law was “added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come,” he's referring specifically to the law’s tutor role - its pedagogical function to expose sin and drive people to Christ (cf. Gal. 3:24) - not to an abolishment of God’s moral standards.

What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Galatians 3:19

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, Ephesians 2:14-15

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14

• And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

It refers to the law of Moses. Not part of it.

• having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us

Paul here is directly quoting Moses from the book of Deuteronomy and refers to the law of Moses, which Moses said was against them.

So it was, when Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book, when they were finished, that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying: “Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there as a witness against you; Deuteronomy 31:24-26


No where in these verse do find the term ceremonial law, or moral law, or any other part of the law of Moses mentioned.


The law of Moses that was added to the Abrahamic Covenant was abolished, nailed to the cross, taken away, because it was always meant to be temporary until the Messiah has come.

• What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come

Do you believe Christians are required to be physically circumcised?