Matthew 5:17-20: the Law of Moses, Jesus, and us.

[Checkpoint]

Matthew 5:

17 “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.

18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

This is an interesting passage that, it seems to me, is bound to raise a number of questions.

I suspect some of them may not have easy answers.

What are your questions, and/or, your answers?

Each verse has a teaching.

Can you explain one or more of them?

[shnarkle]

Matthew 5:

17 “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.

18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

This is an interesting passage that, it seems to me, is bound to raise a number of questions.

I suspect some of them may not have easy answers.

What are your questions, and/or, your answers?

Each verse has a teaching.

Can you explain one or more of them?

Nobody could keep God's commandments as well as the Pharisees. They were notorious for their piety and adherence to the law. For all practical intents and purposes, they kept it perfectly. They not only kept the commandments perfectly, they kept all of their traditions as well which insured that the commandments were kept.

What the author of this gospel is pointing out is that they couldn't keep it in their hearts which is where it matters most.

When all if fulfilled, then there is no longer any need for what Paul refers to as those laws "that were added because of transgressions", or "the curse of the law". Those "who walk after the Spirit, no longer fulfill the lust of the flesh". Paul is pointing out that there are those who no longer sin which is where a lot of people get lost, and don't see the distinction between fulfilling the law, and continuing to rely upon Christ's sacrifice to cover one's sins.

[brianbbs67]

Matthew 5:

17 “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.

18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

This is an interesting passage that, it seems to me, is bound to raise a number of questions.

I suspect some of them may not have easy answers.

What are your questions, and/or, your answers?

Each verse has a teaching.

Can you explain one or more of them?

Nobody could keep God's commandments as well as the Pharisees. They were notorious for their piety and adherence to the law. For all practical intents and purposes, they kept it perfectly. They not only kept the commandments perfectly, they kept all of their traditions as well which insured that the commandments were kept.

What the author of this gospel is pointing out is that they couldn't keep it in their hearts which is where it matters most.

When all if fulfilled, then there is no longer any need for what Paul refers to as those laws "that were added because of transgressions", or "the curse of the law". Those "who walk after the Spirit, no longer fulfill the lust of the flesh". Paul is pointing out that there are those who no longer sin which is where a lot of people get lost, and don't see the distinction between fulfilling the law, and continuing to rely upon Christ's sacrifice to cover one's sins.

But, in fact, they could not keep it perfectly. Finally one in human form did. There are many laws. Those in the Arc. And those without. Each with a purpose.

[shnarkle]

Matthew 5:

17 “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.

18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

This is an interesting passage that, it seems to me, is bound to raise a number of questions.

I suspect some of them may not have easy answers.

What are your questions, and/or, your answers?

Each verse has a teaching.

Can you explain one or more of them?

Nobody could keep God's commandments as well as the Pharisees. They were notorious for their piety and adherence to the law. For all practical intents and purposes, they kept it perfectly. They not only kept the commandments perfectly, they kept all of their traditions as well which insured that the commandments were kept.

What the author of this gospel is pointing out is that they couldn't keep it in their hearts which is where it matters most.

When all if fulfilled, then there is no longer any need for what Paul refers to as those laws "that were added because of transgressions", or "the curse of the law". Those "who walk after the Spirit, no longer fulfill the lust of the flesh". Paul is pointing out that there are those who no longer sin which is where a lot of people get lost, and don't see the distinction between fulfilling the law, and continuing to rely upon Christ's sacrifice to cover one's sins.

But, in fact, they could not keep it perfectly. Finally one in human form did. There are many laws. Those in the Arc. And those without. Each with a purpose.

Keeping the law perfectly isn't the problem. It's whether or not the law is being kept by God or by our own "will or effort"(Rom.9:16).

To point out that each law has a purpose isn't saying much of anything. It is vital that the purpose of God's Law be clearly understood. It is equally important to understand not only the purpose of the law "that was added because of transgressions", but the reason it is no longer applicable and who it is no longer applicable to. Rightly dividing the word goes a long way to an accurate and coherent understanding. Without that, most people conflate the two, and it quickly descends into pure nonsense; most notably this phenomenon whereby Christians not only claim they're born again, but turn right around and justify their ability to sin with impunity. It's the antithesis of the gospel message. No wonder most people reject it..

[brianbbs67]

Matthew 5:

17 “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.

18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

This is an interesting passage that, it seems to me, is bound to raise a number of questions.

I suspect some of them may not have easy answers.

What are your questions, and/or, your answers?

Each verse has a teaching.

Can you explain one or more of them?

Nobody could keep God's commandments as well as the Pharisees. They were notorious for their piety and adherence to the law. For all practical intents and purposes, they kept it perfectly. They not only kept the commandments perfectly, they kept all of their traditions as well which insured that the commandments were kept.

What the author of this gospel is pointing out is that they couldn't keep it in their hearts which is where it matters most.

When all if fulfilled, then there is no longer any need for what Paul refers to as those laws "that were added because of transgressions", or "the curse of the law". Those "who walk after the Spirit, no longer fulfill the lust of the flesh". Paul is pointing out that there are those who no longer sin which is where a lot of people get lost, and don't see the distinction between fulfilling the law, and continuing to rely upon Christ's sacrifice to cover one's sins.

But, in fact, they could not keep it perfectly. Finally one in human form did. There are many laws. Those in the Arc. And those without. Each with a purpose.

Keeping the law perfectly isn't the problem. It's whether or not the law is being kept by God or by our own "will or effort"(Rom.9:16).

To point out that each law has a purpose isn't saying much of anything. It is vital that the purpose of God's Law be clearly understood. It is equally important to understand not only the purpose of the law "that was added because of transgressions", but the reason it is no longer applicable and who it is no longer applicable to. Rightly dividing the word goes a long way to an accurate and coherent understanding. Without that, most people conflate the two, and it quickly descends into pure nonsense; most notably this phenomenon whereby Christians not only claim they're born again, but turn right around and justify their ability to sin with impunity. It's the antithesis of the gospel message. No wonder most people reject it..

I don't think we disagree, here. The traditions of men were taught as Doctrine(God's law). Some jews today uphold their tradition more than God's law. Our traditions are fine unless the prevent or negate God's law in some way. As Paul stated "what should we do then, sin? So that grace may abound? Heavens no!" Its the same now. God gave us instructions for this world(Torah means that). He wants us to repent and come back as the lost sheep of Israel. Christ was His method to do that most recently in a large way.