Law
The law reveals sin but doesn’t take it away - I Timothy 1:8 – 1:11 (commentary)
At the heart of the Jewish Law was the ten commandments. Yet apparently, as dogmatic as these false teachers were, they really didn’t understand God’s law. God’s law is like a medicine prescribed by our doctor. If we use the medicine the way its prescribed, it w …
Not The Possession But The Practice of The Law That Counts - Romans 2:12 – 2:16 (commentary)
Paul explains how God did not give the Law to the Gentiles so they would not be judged by the Law. However, because the Jews have the Law, this made their guilt that much greater (v. 12). At the same time, He makes it clear that it is not the possession of the Law that counts, but the practice ...
The Battle With Sin - Romans 7:14 – 7:25 (commentary)
Having explained what the Law does, Paul now explains what the Law cannot do. The Law cannot set you free (v. 14). Paul doesn’t understand why he acts the way he does (vv. 15-20). What he doesn’t want to do he ends up doing and what he wants to do he ends up not doing. The Law cannot ...
The Jerusalem Council - Acts 15:1 – 15:11 (commentary)
The idea of salvation through faith in Christ alone, apart from works, is not an easy one to grasp. It’s tempting to add regulations onto faith. This is what the Jerusalem Council sought to address. The inciting incident was the arrival of some well-meaning but legalistic Jewish teachers in ...
Jerusalem Council–Discussion Re: Moses’ Law - Acts 15:6 – 15:11 (commentary)
The chairman of this Jerusalem council was James, the half brother of Jesus, who did not believe in Him until after the resurrection (v. 13). Peter was also an important participant in this meeting. It appears that at least four different meetings were involved in this strategic …
The Law Was Temporary And Required a Mediator - Galatians 3:19 – 3:22 (commentary)
What was the purpose of the Law? It was given to show that we sin. The Law was a dramatic event (Ex. 19) in comparison with the giving of the covenant to Abraham (Gen. 15). The Judaizers were impressed with the emotional externals and they were saying “In order for a person …
The Law is Not Contrary to The Promise - Galatians 3:23 – 3:29 (commentary)
Paul continues his logical argument by spilling out briefly and clearly the purpose of the Law. First of all he says that before Christ we were kept under the Law which gives the idea of being surrounded and protected by prison guards (v. 23). He goes on to explain how the Law di …
Love Fulfills The Law - Galatians 5:7 – 5:15 (commentary)
A little leaven causes a whole lump of dough to rise. It only takes one person to infect all the others. It only takes one. Legalists reveal their hypocrisy, for they fail to keep the whole law. They look upon the Old Testament law the way a customer surveys the food in a cafeter …
An Exhortation to Obedience - Deuteronomy 4:1 – 4:10 (commentary)
This chapter concludes Moses’ review of Israel’s wilderness journey. Moses stops talking about Israel’s past and emphasizes the present. He wanted to make sure that the people did not soon forget all they had seen God do. At the same time, he wanted Israel to know the importance of ...
The Ten Commandments - Deuteronomy 5:1 – 5:21 (commentary)
Moses calls Israel together and exhorts them with four key words (vv. 1-2). The words are hear, learn, keep, and do. It is a restating of the Law, but the emphasis is still on love and obedience. What the Lord demanded of Israel is still required of His people today (v. 3). The only difference ...
Law as it Relates to The Ten Commandments - Leviticus 19:1 – 19:37 (commentary)
Chapter 19 deals with the sanctity of law. The regulations given here aren’t arranged in any particular order, but that which ties them together is their relationship to the 10 commandments. 1. Be holy (vv. 1-2) 2. Honor to parents (v. 3). 3. Honoring the Sabbath (v. 3) …
The Book of God’s Law - II Chronicles 34:1 – 34:33 (commentary)
Josiah became king of Judah when he was eight years old and ruled for 31 years (v. 1). He followed the example of his ancestor David by obeying the Lord (v. 2). When he was 16 years old, he began worshiping God, just as David had done (v. 3). Four years later he decided to destroy the local ...
The Book of God’s Law - II Chronicles 34:14 – 34:33 (commentary)
While money was being given to supervisors in the temple, Hilkiah found the book that contained the laws that the Lord had given to Moses (v. 14). Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan the official and said, “Look what I found” (v. 15). Shaphan took the book to King Josiah a …