Law of Moses – Yahweh’s Teachings


Part III – By the Letter or the Spirit?


Carnal/Letter

2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament (covenant); not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

In the next verse (vs. 7) Paul calls the letter, “The ministration of death, written and engraven in stones.”  This is how the law, or the letter as Paul sometimes refers to it, kills the carnal man allowing the spirit to give life to the new man.

Ro 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

The carnal man, the flesh, is at odds with Yahweh because it strives to please itself in lust, pleasure and laziness. In this way it will not submit itself to the law that requires it to control lust, regulate pleasure and work. Why does the flesh fight against the law? Because:

Ro 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

The law is spiritual because a spiritual, holy Yahweh gave it. We on the other hand are not spiritual and so have a law (if we should write a law) that would cater to the flesh, that is why Paul says: “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man” (Ro 7:22).  Notice he could not say this acting from the outward man (flesh) but from his spiritual inward man, since his outward man is contrary to the law, as he says in Gal 5:17.

Ro 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

We’re delivered from the penalty of the law. How? By the one and only way, which is death; for the wages or penalty of sin, (transgressing the law) is death (Ro 6:23). When Paul talks about the old man dying it is symbolic of Messiah’s death, for we didn’t die, Yahshua did, and we take His death and apply it to our body.

Old Man Dead

Ro 7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion (kurieuo) over a man as long as he liveth?
#2961 ~ kurieuo – KJV – have dominion over 4, exercise lordship over 1, be Lord of 1, lords 1; total 7. Definition: to be lord of, to rule, have dominion over, to exercise influence upon, to have power over.

This is not saying the law is only in effect as long as we are alive, it’s saying the law only has dominion over us. But read on.

Ro 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion (kurieuo) over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Ro 3:19 What things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become GUILTY before God.
1Ti 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient.
Ga 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

But we are not alive (as far as the law is concerned) but have died in Yahshua and owe the law nothing. The law sees a big stamp over us, “Set free – Paid in full.”

Ro 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.  3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. 4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead (lets call this to the law by the body of Messiah; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

When the woman’s husband dies is she free from the law and can now have relations with another man? No, she is free from “the law of her husband” but not from the law of adultery or fornication. Paul is not saying believers are rid of the law through Messiah’s death but that we are cleared of any hold the law had over us because we are now righteous before Yahweh. The law no longer has dominion (as in verse 1) over us for we are no longer alive.

5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions (passions) of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

Are we in the flesh now? Pinch yourself. Then what did Paul mean? The flesh has an inclination toward these passions which the law categorizes as sin, resulting in death.

6 But now we are delivered (#2673 katargeo– destroy , loosed, abolish ) from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Paul speaks of this death in verse 5 which results in due time in the lake of fire, called in other scriptures as “the second death.”  He says we’re “delivered from the law” by the death of the “old man.” Paul uses katargeo in Ro 3:31, “Do we then make void (katargeo) the law?”  His answer is a resounding NO! Instead we establish or reinforce the law. Katargeo is also translated “loosed” in vs 2 above. In vs 4 above Paul says the same thing, “Ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Messiah.” He says the same thing in the following:

Ro 6:14 Ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Ga 3:13 Messiah hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us:
Ga 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

The same message is heard in Mt 26:28; Ro 3:24-26, 4:25; 2Co 5:21; Ep 5:2; Ti 2:14; He 7:27, 9:12&28, 10:10; 1Pe 1:18-19, 2:24; 1Jn2:2, 4:10; Rev 1:5 and many more. In fact, if you don’t understand this statement you’ve missed the primary message in the NT, and the entire Bible. Yahshua’s death paid the penalty called for by the law and we are now free from the law, we don’t owe it anything.

What is Paul saying is dead? Not the law! Not you or me as an electrician or a carpenter, you still remain that. Not you as a Gentile or you as a freeman or a slave, Yahshua doesn’t change that. Not you as a man or a woman, you can check that next time you’re in the shower.

What has changed? The road/path you walk is now different. Your destination has changed. Your desires aren’t what they used to be. Your master has been replaced with another. Your love has been transferred from the world to the Creator. Your distaste is now of the things of the world and not of the things of Yahweh. The old man or old way of life is dead. The old way of life was leading to eternal death. This new way of life will bring you eternal life. The old way of living detested the law and transgressed it repeatedly. The new man, this new way of thinking, loves the law and obeys it.

So Paul’s metaphor of the old man dying doesn’t mean we’ve changed physically. Yahweh said, “I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts.” It’s a mental, emotional change, it’s a conversion, and our eyes have been opened. The mind is the center of thinking, the heart the center of our desires. We’re converted from struggling against Yahweh and His commandments with our carnal self, to embracing Him and His commandments with our new spiritual motivated man. See the contrast in Ro 7:22 and 8:7.

Ro 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Note: Carnal is just another word for flesh.  #4559 and 4561, translated flesh 147 times, carnal 11, fleshly 3.

So it is a change in attitude, not any change in how we obey the law or any change in how it’s interpreted. Yahweh has not changed, nor has His law, neither has the world, or sin, or obedience. The only change that has taken place is within us. The old mind (man) has been converted to a new mind (man). Our old desires are replaced with new desires.

The Law: A Searchlight

Ro 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence (lust). For without the law sin was dead.

“Is the law sin? God forbid.” It’s not the law that brings eternal death but the breaking of it. The law is like a searchlight exposing sin for what it is, without it we can’t know what is sinful from what is not. The law tells us we’re guilty, and this is how it acts as “our schoolmaster/guardian to bring us unto Messiah” (Ga 3:24).

Ro 3:20 For by the law is the knowledge of sin. Ps 19:11 Moreover by them (commandments) is thy servant warned.

Paul adds that sin, with the opportunity given it by the law, produced in him more sin. Lust or coveting seems to be Paul’s sin or weakness if he is speaking here literally. His transgressions of the law multiplied as he learned more of the law. Only sensible, since without the law sin couldn’t exist, sin is totally depended on the law for its existence because, “Sin is the transgression of the law” (1Jo 3:4) and “Sin is not imputed when there is no law” (Ro 5:13).

9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Paul grew up with the knowledge of the law so he appears to be describing his spiritual ignorance of the law. He’s saying, “I believed I was alive at that time because my eyes were closed to the knowledge that we “are all under sin” (Ro 3:9 & 23). Whether before his conversion this ignorance was because he ignored verses like Ec 7:20 which states, “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” or his dependence was on righteousness through obedience or both.

When I saw the true rendering of the commandment of course “sin revived,” sin was made undeniably real to me and brought the death the law imposes.

10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

The law, which was given to sustain life, instead brought death to him. How? The veil that he speaks of in 2Co 3:14-16 was still over his mind and heart.

De 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life.
Le 18:5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances, by doing which a man shall live.

Paul put his faith in his fleshly ability to obey the letter instead of in Yahweh’s forgiveness (Ps 78:22). It’s about where your faith is directed (He 11:6).

11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

Paul says sin, given life through the law, beguiled him (or he deceived himself as in 1Co 3:18), and sentenced him to death, in essence, slaying him.

12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

We can’t blame the law, it’s perfect, it didn’t cause death. What killed Paul then? Sin! The transgression of the law, not the law itself. Paul explains:

13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

The law, the searchlight, brings sin out in the open, clearly visible. The law strengthens sin (1Co 15:56), yet the law is holy, just and good. How can something that strengthens sin be holy and good? Sin to the world is fun and harmless even though, unbeknown to them, it is leading all to destruction because they don’t recognize the law, which Paul says makes sin appear exceedingly sinful so that it can be recognized as not fun but evil. Would we classify a microscope as bad because it enables us to see a deadly disease that is spreading amongst us? God forbid! But the disease, that it might appear a disease, working death in us by that which is good; that the disease by the microscope might become exceedingly disease like. This enables us to kill the outward self with antibiotics (or healthy living habits) that takes out the disease and leaves us a new or healthy man. In our spiritual life the antibiotic is the Messiah and the disease is sin. Just as a microscope identifies a disease so the law identifies sin as sin. Without the law we would not know sin was living in our lives.

Ga 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster (guardian) to bring us unto Messiah, that we might be justified by faith.

The law identifies sin as harmful, we realize we need help to escape sin’s penalty, the law guides us to Yahshua who pays our debt. Just as we develop antibodies that ward off disease as it returns again and again we have Messiah to flush away sin that we commit again and again. Sin is not discernible by the Holy Spirit, nowhere do the scriptures say this, and it is made visible only by the law. Yahweh’s Holy Spirit activates the law in our hearts and minds (He 8:10), which in turn identifies the sin; we then know we’ve sinned.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

The law is spiritual, always was spiritual and always will be spiritual. After all it is from Yahweh, how could it not be anything but spiritual, holy, good and perfect? However Paul says he is carnal/flesh, bought by sin, his human nature has sold him out. This depicts Paul as weak and at the mercy of his flesh, but bear in mind Paul’s objective in this exaggerated picture he is painting is to demonstrate the contrast between walking in the flesh and walking in the spirit, and he is using himself as a stand in for all of us who will follow. He is about to tell us how he has and is triumphing over this dilemma, and take a look at 1Co 9:23-27 and Ph 3:3-14 for just how determined and successful Paul is at overcoming the flesh. Can this be the same Paul, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Messiah’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2Co 12:10). See also Ro 13:14; Col 3:5 and He 4:1 for what we should do. Remember you must “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Php 2:12).

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

Paul is describing his double life or split personality. Try as he may Paul admits he (his flesh) still does what his heart and mind wish him not to. This is the new Paul, the 2-part Paul, part A is the flesh (outward man), part B is his heart and mind (inward man), stimulated by the spirit. The outward man is dead in that it’s lost its dominion over him and he hates its desires. He doesn’t walk the outward man’s walk, the outward man clings to him because he is still alive in the flesh.

ATTENTION: Paul is speaking here as a converted, spirit filled man, otherwise he could not say, “But what I hate, that do I.” The law is written on his heart and when he transgresses the law, he hates what he did. This is the new Paul, the one that delights in the law (vs 22). He now recognizes the law and is subject to it, keep in mind “the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (8:7).

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

When he sins his heart and mind confirms to him the wrong in transgressing the law, thereby proving the law is good and the breaking of it is bad. His heart and mind know this because they are moved by the spirit, this is what Yahweh meant when He said He would place the law in their hearts and minds. Just remember Paul is speaking here as the new man.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Is this a cop-out? No, because Paul has already told us this part of him is dead, he has acknowledged the death of Yahshua as his, he has accepted the pardon from the wages of sin, he has turned from his old walk and so he can say “it is no more I” that sin.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

He gets no help from his body, only the works of the flesh which he details in Ga 5:19-21. “For to will is present with me,” his mind and heart are willing because he is a new man walking in the spirit, not in the flesh.

Let’s stop here and read where Paul was inflicted with a bodily illness with the blessing of Yahshua.

2Co 12:7 There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought Yahweh thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

If those who claim this chapter (Ro 7) could not possibly be understood to suggest the great apostle actuality was meaning what he was writing, then why did he need help to subdue his flesh? It’s obvious, he was given this affliction to weaken his flesh so that the Spirit of Messiah could gain strength in Paul over the weakened flesh. That is the very purpose of fasting for when the flesh is weak the spirit is strong and when the flesh is strong the spirit is weak.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

The fact that he hates what he is doing verifies the spirit is pointing out to his heart and mind that these things are wrong because they go against the law. Paul sounds like quite a sinner here but obviously he is purposely being pretty hard on himself to bring his point across. If he had a struggle against coveting, lusting, pride or some other sin he doesn’t deceive himself into trivializing the battle. He knows his enemy is the flesh and is aware that Satan knows which buttons to press.

The Law Is Like a Chevy

Paul obeyed the law of Moses but wasn’t fallen from grace because he never tried to be justified by the law. He was justified by Yahshua and didn’t obey the law to become righteous by it like the Galatians but because it was the obedient thing to do.

A strange hypocrisy comes from those who look at anyone obeying, let’s say the 4th commandment, they define this person as a legalist, fallen from grace, trying to be justified by the law etc., but when they themselves obey the 8th or 9th commandment for instance, it’s just fine. These people can obey certain commandments and never think of themselves as trying to be justified by them but when others obey commandments they believe to be obsolete they accuse them of trying to gain righteous through obedience.

The point to remember is that you can’t be saved or justified or made righteous by the law, it was not designed to provide that, it was intended only to point out sin (Ps 19:11, Ro 3:20 & 7:7). Now because the law is unable to make people righteous is it a failure, has it failed to accomplish its mission? No, because it was never intended to justify anyone, that is why to try and use it to be justified results in complete failure. It would be like taking a car to the airport and trying to fly with it. Cars were never designed to fly but that doesn’t mean they’re useless or failures, for they perform very well what they were intended for.

To insist that people must become righteous through the law, as certain Jews in Galatia did, is what Paul calls “the yoke of bondage.” It’s impossible, they’re never going to get off the ground with it. Peter speaks of this in Acts 15:10 when he says, “Why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” No one can do the impossible and using the law for what it was not made for (to become justified) is an exercise in futility, like trying to fly in your Chevy.

The Holy Law vs The Evil Law

Ro 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

He once again tells us he’s doing what the spirit tells him is wrong and again, as in 17, no longer has to take the blame because he is dead in Messiah.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

He finds a principle or rule that exists, even when he desires to be good evil is right there struggling to overthrow the good, what he calls in 18 “in me dwelleth no good thing.”

22 For I delight in the law (torah) of God after the inward man:

Paul, like David, can say he delights in Yahweh’s law, the torah, but can only say this with the new, inward man because the old man hates Yahweh’s law (8:5&7).

23 But I see another law (not torah) in my members, warring against the law (torah) of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Satan’s law, the law of the flesh, which would be the law of this present world, tells us: if it feels good do it, don’t worry be happy, eat, drink and be merry, don’t be a party pooper, it only counts if you get caught. In other words look out for number one. This law or principle is naturally imbedded in our beings, our carnal flesh, and is so powerful only the spirit of Yahweh can help us overcome it. Paul seems to imply, even with the spirit-placed law of his mind warring against this law of the flesh, it still captivates him under the law of sin that he maintains is in his members (mouth, eyes, ears, hands and feet).

This demonstrates without a doubt that Paul is speaking as a converted spirit filled believer, for there is no struggle in those who walk after the flesh because it pleases them to no end to satisfy the fleshly desire and all day long that is their aim.

Ga 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary (#480- adversary, opposed) the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Many passages of scripture feature this strive between flesh and spirit, including Ec 7:20; Ro 6:13; 1Ti 6:11-12; Heb 12:4; Ja 3:2 & 4:1; and 1Pe 2:11.

Best of Both Worlds?

Ro 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Adam Clarke: “There seems to be an allusion to an ancient custom of certain tyrants, who bound a dead body to a living man, and obliged him to carry it about, till the contagion from the putrid mass took away his life! We may naturally suppose that the cry of such a person would be, Wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this dead body?”

Whether Paul experienced such a site, who can tell, but one thing is for certain Paul knows where to go for help.

25 I thank God through Yahshua Messiah our Master. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

It’s pretty difficult to deny Paul is here speaking as a spirit filled believer. His answer seems to be that he can have the best of both worlds. When he says, “with the flesh (he serves) the law of sin” he is not saying anything different than what he said in 17, 18, 20 and 23. Chapter 8 details how things work.

No Condemnation

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Messiah Yahshua, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

There is “no condemnation” only to those who “walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” If you try to do both and have the best of both worlds there is condemnation, for to walk in both worlds would be impossible, because the war that Paul mentions in 7:23 could not take place. If you think your walking in both worlds you are in fact only walking in one and that is the flesh. If you are “in Messiah Yahshua” there is nothing to condemn you for because you are pure and righteous in Yahweh’s eyes.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Messiah Yahshua hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Look back at 7:25 when Paul said, “with the flesh (he serves) the law of sin” but here he exclaims I am free from the law of sin. Both times in this verse the word ‘law’ is used in the sense of principle or standard, not as a translation of ‘torah’. The law (or principle) imbued by the Holy Spirit through our new life in Messiah frees us, because this old self has died.

3a For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh,

The law was incomplete and so unable to help us. The law was weak only because the flesh was weak. Remember the law is holy and perfect in itself and only when it is applied to the weak flesh does it show its failure. The law after all was not designed to save but condemn. That is its job.

Messiah’s Death = Our Death

Ro 8:3b God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Condemned sin in Yahshua’s flesh. see 1Pe 2:24 & Ro 6:6

1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness.
Ro 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Heb 10:10 We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Yahshua Messiah

We take His death and use it to kill our sinful flesh, not in reality but figuratively, killing the leadership role the flesh played in our lives. Paul explains it as killing the deeds of the body not the actual body itself in Ro 8:13, Col 3:5, Gal 5:25, Tit 2:12, 1Pe 2:11. And when this is done then there cannot be any condemnation to those “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”.

Are we condemned, if as Paul does in 7:15 we do that which we hate? No way! Because Paul explains when we do deeds we hate it is not our will but the “no good thing” (18) in us that is responsible. And because our desires are lead by the spirit we know the deeds we just did by the flesh are not imputed, “For he that is dead (he’s speaking figuratively here) is freed from sin” (Ro 6:7). And this is encouraging, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Messiah in God” (Col 3:3).

Ro 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

If “that which we hate” begins to become less and less hateful to us we might very well be walking in the flesh rather then the spirit.

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The righteousness of the law, some might say what righteousness? But Paul and David have told us the law is spiritual, holy, just, good, perfect, pure, sure, true, upright, faithful and righteous. The righteousness of the law is complete in us by Yahshua, just as he said it would be in Mt 5:17-20.

Two Walks To Choose From

Ro 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

A fleshly walk cares for the fleshly world but a spiritual walk desires the things of Yahweh.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

The carnal mind, which caters to the flesh, is hostile toward Yahweh and His law. It will not obey Yahweh’s law and couldn’t even if it tried to.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Walking in the flesh you will never desire to obey the law and so you cannot please Yahweh.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah, he is none of his.

The good news is the flesh is dead and we live through Yahshua in the spirit.

10 And if Messiah be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

By accepting the Saviour into our lives we take on his death as payment for the wages of sin, resulting, figuratively, as the death of our own body because of sin. We then begin a new life, in the spirit with what is the opposite of sin, righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Yahshua from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Messiah from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Yahweh’s spirit will someday soon quicken, make alive, our dead bodies.

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Our job through the spirit is to mortify, meaning put to death, destroy or kill, the works, desires or lusts of this flesh.

Works of the Flesh

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (excess), 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (argumentative), emulations (indignation), wrath, strife, seditions (dissension), heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Looking at this list, we can see all these things are against the law. Paul is saying the flesh is programmed to break the law, but if we walk in the spirit we won’t break the law (vs 16). How is this possible?  Because “the Spirit lusteth (epithumeo) against the flesh” vs 17 [#1937 epithumeo: – to turn upon a thing]. Yahweh has put the law in our hearts and minds. The law in our hearts and minds (activated by the spirit), this law, which is contrary to the desires of the flesh (vs 17), attacks these desires and judges them sinful (see Ro 7:13), enabling us to refrain from sinning. The clearer and more sinful the law can portrait a sin the easier it is for us to refrain from that sin. Take the sins of murder, adultery or stealing, in most believers minds all these are obviously very sinful so that we seldom come close to transgressing them. Whereas lying or coveting many times can be mulled over in our minds in an attempt to circumvent them, causing us to take them lightly and many times falling prey to them.

Works of the Spirit

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

This list describes the desires of the spirit, there was no need for Yahweh to lay out a law against such as these. It’s conceivable Satan would outlaw desires such as these.

24 And they that are Messiah’s have crucified the flesh with the affections (passions) and lusts.

This is the death of the old man.

The Law Not For the Righteous

1Jn3:4 Sin is the transgression of the law.

This is a true statement.

Ro 7:1 The law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

Believer, do you still live? No, you’re dead; your death has paid the debt the law required

Ro 7:4 Ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Messiah (see 2Co 5:21).

We are now righteous men and women and the law has no say over us.

1Ti 1:9 The law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient.
Ro 3:19 What things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become GUILTY before God.
Ga 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

We are not under the law because we are righteous and pure in Yahweh’s eyes so the law does not demand any payment.

The Canadian law of murder says (let’s pretend), if I murder another human I will be imprisoned for 25 years. The Canadian law of murder has no hold over me in any way; I am not under dominion to it, not bound to it, not under it. The law of murder is still in force but it has no dealings or impact on my life. It is only there to show us what not to do and cannot affect us otherwise. The minute I murder someone I am under this law of murder or under its dominion, I am bound by it. How?  I am then forced by this law to pay its penalty or debt, which would be 25 years in prison. Let’s say the Queen is coming to town, to show her good graces she pardons me. I am then out from under the law of murder once more, it no longer has dominion over me and I am no longer bound by it. The Canadian law of murder is still in force only it can’t touch me because it doesn’t have dominion over me any longer. Before long I murder another person and again I am back under the law of murder and all its consequences. Unless the Queen or someone else pardons me again I will remain under this law until I pay the penalty required, which is another 25 years.

So we are righteous and no longer under the law because Yahshua pardoned us. However the law is still in force and when we transgress the law only then could it have any dominion over us if not for Yahshua.

Isa 53:12 He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Ro 8: 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Messiah that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
1Jo 2:1 If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Yahshua Messiah the righteous:

If one is saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, dead to sin and walking according to the spirit, not the flesh, does not Yahweh see that person as pure, without spot or wrinkle? If we do slip up and transgress the law we are still pure and righteous because, before anyone can charge or condemn us, Yahshua is there to intercede on our behalf.

Joe In Adultery

After someone (let’s call him Joe) is saved and washed in the blood, of course we agree he is righteous and pure in Yahweh’s sight. He is told by his brothers and sisters in the assembly what is right and what is wrong to do in his new life. Twenty years elapse and Joe has continued to live a life devoted to Yahweh. One day he starts an affair with a married woman, even thought he knows the law says “do not commit adultery.” After each meeting with this married woman he goes back to his spouse and successfully forgets about it until the next time. It matters not whether Joe blames his spouse for having this affair, considers this his second wife or however else he has deceived himself. The question is he has transgressed the law and so what will become of him?

Does Yahweh look upon him as if he’s kept the 7th commandment? Does he have victory over sin and death because all other transgressions of the law he has repented of and is forgiven? How should he view the following scriptures?

Heb 6: 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.
2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Master and Saviour Yahshua Messiah, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

My question is the same as Paul’s:  “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?” (Ro 6:15).

If we conclude Joe has backslid, even thought he might be the most active and spiritual in church, we would do so based on the fact that he transgressed the law. What would be the difference between him and someone else who might transgress other laws? Would Yahshua be able to cover his sins despite the person, can His blood and the power of the Holy Spirit overcome sins that are not repented of or through self-deception are not even acknowledged? Would Joe be exempt from adultery since Yahshua fulfilled the law?

Jas 1:14 Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Jas 5:19 (RSV) My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one (sinner) unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Master Yahshua.

We are to judge our brethren and expose their sins in the assembly for their own sake. Nathan exposed David’s great sins and he came to his senses and repented and was forgiven.

1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

What can we do for ourselves to prevent falling into self-deception and sin? I think we should follow Paul’s example.

1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Heb 12:1 Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Not that keeping the commandments will gain us any favour or eternal life, since that is ours as a free gift, but it will enable us to hold on to the gift.

Mt. 19:16  One came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
1Jn3:22 Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
1Co 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
1 Jn 2:3 Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Carnal/Flesh

Our carnal (or flesh, since both are from the same Greek word) nature is not removed, it is very much alive and well.

2Co 10:2 Some, which think of us as if we WALKED ACCORDING (kata) to the flesh. 3 For though we WALK IN (en) the flesh, we do not war (fight) after (kata- according to) the flesh: (Paul’s weapon/authority is not physical vs 4).

#2596 ~ kata – KJV-according to 107, after 61, against 58, in 36, by 27, daily + 2250 15, as 11, misc 165; total 480. Definition: according to, toward, along.
#1722 ~ en – KJV- in 1902, by 163, with 140, among 117, at 113, on 62, through 39, misc 265; total 2801. Definition: in, by, with etc.

We have to know the difference between “walking according to the flesh” and “walk(ing) in the flesh.” The KJV doesn’t make this easy. Before we start let’s point out that Paul uses ‘walk’ or ‘walking’ in place of living or acting. The Greek word kata is here translated “according to” whereas in Romans it is translated “after”.

Ro 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Messiah Yahshua, who walk not after (kata) the flesh, but after (kata) the Spirit.
Ro 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after (kata) the flesh, but after (kata) the Spirit. 5 For they that are after (kata) the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after (kata) the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Ro 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after (kata) the flesh.

Walking (or living or acting) “according to” or “after” the flesh both mean being led by its desires and conforming to its standards, whereas, walking “according to” or “after” the spirit is being led by the spirit and following its direction. Another term Paul uses is “in the flesh” or “in my flesh” to describe our actual existence in this flesh and bones body we are given.

Ro 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.
2Co 12:7 There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me.
Ga 4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not.
Php 3:4 I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Messiah in my flesh for his body’s sake.
Col 2:5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit.
Php 1:21 For to me to live is Messiah, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Messiah; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

So “according to the flesh” or “after the flesh” is bad, it’s submitting to the pull of our flesh/carnal nature, the world. “In the flesh” is something we can’t do anything about until we are released from this fleshly body and given a spiritual body. Paul means, although we walk around in fleshly bodies we don’t submit to the law of that flesh, or struggle not to anyway. This always has to be in the back of our mind when reading Paul, nowhere does Paul imply we are released from our flesh.

Yahshua has neither the power nor the mandate to remove our carnal nature, we are stuck with it until we literally, physically die. Paul speaks of our carnal nature dying only in the sense that it no longer runs our lives. I do not believe we now have a pure and holy nature of the Holy Spirit as some believe, Yahweh’s spirit has been placed in our hearts and minds but it is not our nature, our nature is still carnal/flesh, or more often referred to as our “human nature.”

Ro 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Messiah Yahshua. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:
1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

How does Paul control his carnal/fleshly nature? He gets help from the Holy Spirit and gets the best results by attacking its weaknesses. In 2Co 12:7 the “thorn in the flesh” knocks him down should he get puffed up and so he can “Take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities (hardships), in persecutions, in distresses for Messiah’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (vs 10). When the carnal/flesh is weak then the spirit gains strength.

Ga 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other.

When one is strong the other is weak and when the one is weak the other is strong. When we’re rich, famous, healthy, comfortable and content the spirit is weak and we don’t need any support. But when we’re poor, sickly, miserable and distressed the flesh becomes weak and we tend to turn to Yahweh for help.

Dead Through Baptism

Let’s see what Paul means by being dead through baptism.

Ro 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as (hosper) Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
#5618 ~ hosper – KJV-as 39, even as 2, like as 1; total 42. Definition: just as, even as.

This is most definitely symbolism he’s using, “LIKE AS Messiah was raised.” Yahshua was physically raised from being dead, He had stopped breathing but was given a new life by Yahweh (see vs 9&10), He is “the first born from the dead” (Col 1:18). We have yet to physically die but in this comparison Paul means we aren’t raised from being dead physically but only “walk in newness of life.” Not walk in a new life but in “newness” of life. A new walk, not a new life, big difference.

Ro 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness (homoioma) of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
#3667 ~ homoioma – KJV – likeness 3, made like to 1, similitude 1, shape 1; total 6. Definition: that which has been made after the likeness of something, a figure, image, likeness, representation, resemblance.

More symbolism; Yahshua’s death and resurrection resembles, in some ways, our change from living in the world and for the carnal/flesh to living in the spirit and for Yahweh.

Ro 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

What has been “crucified with” Messiah? Not you or me as living humans but only our “old man.” Paul uses the terms “old man,” “outward man,” “the flesh,” “natural man,” “carnal mind,” and “fleshly mind” all to describe the desires of our human nature, not our human nature itself, but these terms only speak of the desires or tendencies of our human nature. So when he says the “old man is crucified” he doesn’t mean our human nature is dead only the desires are dead. No, not even that for our fleshly desires still pull at us but it is the leadership these desires of the flesh held that is dead. Look at the last part, “that henceforth we should not serve sin” (serve means to be in bondage, to be a slave, submit to). We should not submit to sin but submit, as Paul does, to the law, “So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin” (Ro 7:25).

Ro 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Many people read this verse and get the idea we are free from sinning, making them incapable of committing a sin, a very dangerous notion. They read this verse as if it said we are rid of sin because that’s what it sounds like. The problem is once again in the KJV. The word freed is from the Greek word dikaioo.

#1344 ~ dikaioo – KJV – justify 37, be freed 1, be righteous 1, justifier 1; 40. Definition: to render righteous, to show or exhibit one to be righteous, to declare, pronounce one to be just, righteous.

As you can see the KJV translators knew what dikaioo meant because they translated it correctly 39 out of the 40 times it was used in the NT. But here they didn’t for some reason and used the word “freed.”

We all know that “the wages of sin is death” (Ro 6:23). The payment we own for sinning is the death penalty. If we only tell a little white lie the penalty for that is death. If we torture and murder 100 people the penalty is the same. Yahshua died to clear us of this penalty. We owed a debt we could not pay but he paid the debt he did not owe. Because he did we are freed from the penalty of sin, not freed from sinning like the KJV makes it sound like (by the way the NIV and RSV followed the lead of the KJV in this error).

The proper translation is, “He that is dead is justified from sin.” Pardoned by the death of Messiah and so made righteous by him.

Ro 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Yahshua Messiah our Master.

“Likewise,” again Paul’s not saying exactly as, but like. “Reckon,” consider, count it as such, regard yourselves as NOT dead indeed but only “dead indeed unto sin.”

Ro 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

So as a result of all this you will not let sin “reign.” The old man is dead so sin can’t control your life, it will not rule over you, it no longer is in command. You take off (kill) this old man and “put on the new man” (Eph 4:24, Col 3:10), you’re changing uniforms of one army for another but you are still the same human person. That’s what conversion means. To end verse 12 we see we won’t obey the flesh but we’ll obey the spirit, the inward man for “we know that the law is spiritual” (Ro 7:14), now Paul says, “I delight in the law of God after the inward man” (Ro 7:22).

Ro 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

This must mean that the spiritual mind is “subject to the law of God.”

Ro 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

The word “as” (hos) is a similitude, often translated “as if” or “like” or “as it were.” The similitude is, yield yourself as if you “are alive from the dead.” You, as a human, are not “alive from the dead” or resurrected because you haven’t died yet. What does Gal 2:20 say? “Messiah livith in me,” no different then these others which point out that Messiah or His spirit, which is the Holy Spirit, lives in us. That is the new man.

Ro 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Messiah Yahshua hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Ga 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
1Jn3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
Ro 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah, he is none of his.

Look what Gal 2:20 also says, “the life which I now live IN THE FLESH I live by the faith of the son of Yahweh.” The new inward man lives in the flesh but not serving the flesh, this is possible by faith, we touched on this above concerning 2Co 10:3.

Newness of Life

When it speaks of newness of life the word resurrected or resurrection is never used, it only speaks of “walking” in newness of life or “walking” in the spirit, as opposed to walking in the flesh. There is a big difference; many somehow seem to see in the scriptures a new resurrected person where the scriptures only talk of a converted, changed person. The words resurrected or resurrection are used only in the future for us and most often in the past for Yahshua. Paul’s symbolic use of words like new or old man and crucified and dead can be understood by his over all message and his own example.  He never claims what many today do, he never says his carnal nature is dead or that he has been resurrected.

Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Messiah Yahshua. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

Paul continued to struggle and fight his carnal nature for fear he might fall short.

1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

We say we stand in grace and Paul knew very well that he at present stood in the grace or favor of Yahweh but still said: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1Co 10:12).

Letter of the Law?

2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament (covenant); not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Paul speaks here about the New Covenant sealed by the spirit compared to the Old Covenant in the letter. In the Old Covenant the law condemns us because it was intended only to point out sin (Ps 19:11, Ro 3:20 & 7:7). The Law did not provide salvation but only told us what was sinful. It pointed out sin but did not provide an escape hatch when we did sin but only a death sentence, “The wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). That is how Yahweh designed the Law knowing He intended to provide an escape hatch later.

2Co 3:7 But if the ministration (ministry, service) of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

Well yea! Of course the news of the escape hatch is much greater. As great as the Old Covenant was, for in it the Law was given which shows us what is sin, even greater is what shows us what takes away our sin.

2Co 3:11  For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

Did the Old Covenant fade away?

Heb 8:13 In that He saith “a new covenant,” He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

The Old Covenant was replaced by a permanent covenant which will last forever. Did the Law also vanish with the Old Covenat?

Jer 31:31-33  “Behold, the days come,” saith Yahweh, “that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. …”I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Yahweh: I will put My laws into their minds and write them in their hearts.

The Law of Yahweh is included in the New Covenat and obedience is important.

Paul served the law but how did he do it, by the letter or the spirit?

Ro 7:25 With the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Ro 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

What is the difference between obeying the law by the letter as opposed to doing it by the spirit? The “oldness of the letter”  is a phrase which denotes our old way (before conversion) of attempting a literal outward obedience to the law. “Newness of spirit” is our new way (after receiving Messiah) of willing obeying the law from the inward depths of our heart.

If the law is fulfilled in Yahshua why is it necessary to keep any of the commandments? Let’s look at just one commandment, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” How did they in the OT keep this by the letter and how do we today keep it by the spirit? No one ever kept the law by the letter, not even Yahshua. Let me repeat that: No one ever kept the law by the letter because that is impossible. Even in the OT the ones who kept the law did so by the spirit.  The “letter of the law” is a phrase never found in the Bible, it has evolved from some of Paul’s words meaning the old way of literal outward obedience to the law as opposed to obeying the law from the heart, like Moses, David, Daniel etc.

No one ever did and no one ever will serve the law by the letter. It can’t be done, obeying the law literally or physically, not even Yahshua did it, he had to do it from the heart.

Ps 40:7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

To love your neighbor as you love yourself can only be done by the spirit, never by the letter. You can often fool your neighbors and even fool yourself but you can’t fool the one who reads your heart.

What is the difference between this and post Pentecost?

Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit UPON All flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (Act 2:17)

The big difference is “upon all flesh.” Before Pentecost Yahweh put His spirit in only His chosen people, but after Pentecost, thanks to ‘Yahshua the door’ opening Israel to all nations, the Spirit as well was given to all peoples. “All flesh” can not mean everybody because we all know a few people who definitely don’t have the Holy Spirit. “All flesh” is understood to mean all people or all nationalities. Another big difference was the scope by which it was given, with 3000 in one day. However, that rate did not continue and by 70 AD the numbers were probably pretty modest.

Where does it say that the Holy Spirit was not available before Pentecost? It doesn’t! It was held back from the disciples until the appropriate time, as it is with everyone, to facilitate Yahweh’s timeline and design, but this didn’t include John the Baptist or his mother and father or many others who lived and died before Pentecost.

The only difference between the Old and New Covenants was Yahshua. The 1st was before Him the 2nd was after Him. The 1st was with the blood of animals the 2nd with His blood. The 1st was confirmed by Moses the 2nd by Yahshua. The 1st had to accommodate the people as they were without a permanent covering for sin the 2nd didn’t, because the permanent covering was available.

What both covenants had were: the law, the Israelites, faith, Yahweh and the promise of eternal life. Both were made between Yahweh and Israel, both promised obedience for eternal life through faith, and both had the law written on the hearts of those with faith.

When you stop and think about it, it would be impossible for anyone in the OT to obey the commandment to love Yahweh with all thy heart and soul, without having a circumcised heart and without having the law written on their heart by the spirit. What about loving your neighbor as yourself, how could anyone do that without the law in his or her circumcised heart?

Perfection Now or Later?

1Co 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

SOWN IN:——————–RAISED IN:
corruption——————-incorruption
dishonour——————–glory
weakness——————–power
natural———————–spiritual

We now have a corrupt body, a weak body, a natural body.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

When we have put on immortality only then can we claim victory, Paul says, “Then shall be brought to pass.” Victory over sin, thus victory over death, for death is a product of sin.

Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
1Jn3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Messiah Yahshua. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:
1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

This “vile body” is going to have to be changed, it’s not apparent “what we shall be,” but we have been promised a “divine nature.”  Paul seeks a resurrection but has not yet apprehended, but follows after that he may apprehend.

Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, WAITING FOR THE ADOPTION, to wit, the redemption of our body. Read 8:14-23

We have to wait for our adoption, the papers are all made out and signed but we haven’t been picked up and moved into our new home yet.

Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS.

Romans 14:6Regardeth not the day”

What is Romans chapter 14 about? Some say it is where Paul tells us the Sabbath, the Feast Days, the clean and unclean food laws, and the law in general are eliminated. If this were the case why aren’t these words ever mention, even once? Let’s take a look.

1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations (NKJV doubtful things RSV disputes over opinions NIV disputable matters).

Could this be about doubtful or questionable, maybe dubious or uncertain things? Could some have been disputing about trivial or insignificant matters that led to nothing but division? If we let Paul’s words speak for themselves and don’t read our preconceived beliefs into them then obviously this is what he is saying. Would the law or the Sabbath be considered a “doubtful disputation?” The Sabbath is mentioned in scripture over 120 times and the law over 280 times, is it possible that this chapter (where they are never mentioned) is where Paul chooses to tell us they are ended? Would someone like Paul, who kept the law, including the Sabbath, be considered “weak in the faith?”

2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

“All things” is translated from the single Greek word “pas” simply meaning “all,” there is no Greek word here for “things.” By “all (things)” does he mean everything with no exceptions or everything that has been approved? Everything approved without a doubt because Paul would not endorse food forbidden by the law or he would have spoken up at the Jerusalem council when they ruled: “That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled” (Ac 15:29).

The dispute is about eating meat (Paul indicates “all (things)” pertains to meat in verses 15, 17 and 20), as opposed to not eating meat but only herbs, or what we call today vegetables. The weak in faith refused to eat meat. The reasons for not eating biblically approved meat (such as a goat or lamb) were: unclean because it died of itself or was killed by a wild beast, was strangled, sacrificed to idols or retained some blood. Even though God had provided meat for the Israelites and had explicitly allowed them to eat classes of meat, some were not convinced, i.e. they were weak in faith, and consequently they avoided meat altogether. If, for any of these reasons a person became a vegetarian, lacking faith or assurance that the meat was acceptable, Paul tells us in verse 1 to receive him.

In 1 Co. 8 Paul would reject meats he knew had been offered to idols, and set himself up as an example. It’s apparent someone strong in faith would not knowingly eat meats offered to idols, certainly if doing so offended others.

This is about criticizing others and offending others, as is Corinthians chapter eight. The difference here is that someone strong in faith is eating meat rather than not eating meat, as in the problem in Corinth. In verse 2, Paul writes that he who is weak in faith is a vegetarian, but he who is strong in faith eats the type of meat he is discussing, which type is yet to be determined from the context. In verse 10, Paul wrote that the meat eaters (strong in faith) were offended by the vegetarians (weak in faith) and vice versa. Here we have some declared as “strong in faith,” those who were eating meat and were offending their (vegetarian) brothers. This is contrary to the commands of Paul to the Corinthians where he declared he would rather be a vegetarian for life than offend even one brother over meat (1Co 8:13).

How could those who were strong in faith in Corinth not eat meat that was possibly offered to idols yet those who were strong in faith in Rome did eat meat? This is illogical unless the meats were essentially of different characters, i.e. the meat in Rome definitely had not been offered to idols.

3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Despising and judging is what this chapter is really all about, especially over questionable matters such as these. This theme runs throughout the chapter with Paul pleading with them to stop their trivial disagreements and concentrate on “the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (19).

4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

James spoke clearly about judging someone else: “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge” (Ja 4:11).

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

What day is Paul referring to, the Sabbath, a Feast Day, Xmas, Easter, Halloween or what? Let’s continue and see.

6a He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto Yahweh; and he that regardeth not the day, to Yahweh he doth not regard it.

Does this mean everyone can celebrate any day they chose as long as they dedicate it to Yahweh? People that keep Xmas use this argument all the time, is this what Paul means or does he explain? If Paul is stating here that all days are up to the individual why is he doing so in the middle of a chapter about food?  Also, this is against everything he stands for and has told other assembles. This chapter is about ‘doubtful things’ and keeping or not keeping the Sabbath certainly would not be considered as such. Paul does explain.

6b He that eateth, eateth to Yahweh, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to Yahweh he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

He explains in the next breath by talking about not eating at all, not even vegetables, a day set aside for this is called a “fast day.” Yahshua told a parable about a Pharisee who prayed out loud, “I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess” (Lu 18:12). This Pharisee did what many others in Israel did and still do, set aside a number of days each week as fast days. Paul was saying those that regardeth a day as a fast day should be doing it for Yahweh and those that don’t hold a special day for fasting still can be considered as honouring Yahweh. Fasting was only commanded on the Day of Atonement and was otherwise left up to the individual, as Paul adds, “Every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” One of the contentious items was that some would fast and expect others to do likewise, which seems to keep Paul’s theme fixed on food.

7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto Yahweh; and whether we die, we die unto Yahweh: whether we live therefore, or die, we are Yahweh’s. 9 For to this end Messiah both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Master both of the dead and living.

In 1Co 19-20 Paul tells us we are not our own because we have been bought with a price. He also wrote, “He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2Co 5:15). So Paul did not condemn those who would not eat the meat. He never condemned them in Corinth either. If he had, it might have caused that brother to stumble and their conscience, being weak, would be defiled. What was condemned here was the attitude of the stronger brother toward the weaker one.

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Messiah.

He once again returns to the main theme of this chapter and harps on about judging or disrespecting your brother.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith Yahweh, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Everyone has the supreme judge to report to so these “doubtful disputations” must be left to the individuals to decide themselves.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

Back to the central issue of not judging but to be always looking out for those of weaker faith.

14 I know, and am persuaded by the Master Yahshua, that there is nothing unclean (koinos) of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean (koinos), to him it is unclean (koinos).

To understand this verse it helps to know the difference between “common” and “unclean.”

#2839 ~ koinos – KJV – common 7, unclean 3, defiled 1, unholy 1; total 12. Definition: common, i.e. ordinary, belonging to generality; by the Jews, unhallowed, profane, Levitically unclean.
#169 ~ akathartos KJV – unclean 28, foul 2; total 30. Definition: in a ceremonial sense: that which must be abstained from according to the levitical law, in a moral sense: unclean in thought and life.

A lamb would be thought of as common (koinos) if it was sacrificed to idols or was touched by Gentiles, but would not be considered unclean (akathartos) unless it was somehow blemished or died of itself. The Jews looked upon anything from the heathen as common, despite no OT scriptures to back this up, and Paul tells us “there is nothing common of itself.”

It is understood from the OT and the NT that pigs are unclean in and of themselves but Yahshua has convinced Paul that even pigs are not “common” of themselves. Long before the KJV was translated Christianity had deemed the law to be done away with and no longer valid, so it is not hard to see that the translators were ignorant, or we should say blinded, to the difference between “common” and “unclean.” It is still remarkable however that the Greek word koinos, (see definition above), in all the times it’s translated in the NT, only in this one verse is it rendered “unclean,” instead of the correct “common.”

Paul is convinced that meat, whether sacrificed to idols or touched by Gentiles, is not common of itself but to those that don’t think as he does it’s just as if it was. He would become a lifelong vegetarian before he would trouble a brother in this way, “If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend” (1Co 8:13).

15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Messiah died.

If it’s bothering your brother don’t be inconsiderate but loving, don’t insist he do as you, after all Yahshua died on his behalf.

16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Don’t allow the good you do, in verses 5 and 6, to be talked about maliciously because of your thoughtlessness.

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Yahshua said, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Lu 17:21), and Paul indicated in 1Co 13:8-10 that only the fruits of the spirit will we take with us into the kingdom and leave behind things like tongues and prophecies and certainly earthly things like food.

18 For he that in these things serveth Messiah is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

Everyone that displays the fruits of the spirit pleases God and are even given the approval of their fellowman.

19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Again his primary focus is to love your brother as you love yourself, think of him first.

20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

Eating this meat or not eating it is not going to bring down Yahweh’s work. The meat in question, or the “all” (translated all things), as he again refers to it, is in Paul’s opinion pure or clean but it is the way that it is perceived  by some that makes it evil.

21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

It is preferable to avoid meat or wine or anything, regardless, if this helps your brother then go that extra mile. Once more Paul is bringing back his main point to seal it in the minds of these Romans, think of others, and do for them what you would want them to do for you. It is interesting to take note of the fact he includes wine in this verse. More “doubtful disputations” in our day have erupted over drinking wine than over eating meat or fasting.

22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Paul’s conclusion then is that the ones with faith shouldn’t flaunt it but be thankful it allows them the liberty it does. Those weak in faith should not follow what their conscience would condemn them for just because of pressure from others. Because, after all, these are “doubtful disputations” and not commandments or something that will either assist or harm the assembly.

Stone Heart or Fleshly Heart

The law was written on the hearts of OT saints as well as it is now written on the hearts of NT believers. It was not only written on their hearts it was placed in their souls as well.

De 11:18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.

Even your parent’s commandments were ordered to be placed in your heart.

Pr 6:20 My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:  21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

Judah sinned with such passion, pleasure, and enjoyment that it was as if it was written on their heart with a diamond pointed iron pen.

Jer 17:1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;

A stone heart is a hard heart, a fleshly heart is a soft heart. A hard heart will not let in the Holy Spirit or accept guidance, never mind adhering to the commandments of God. A soft heart is receptive to the Spirit and fears Yahweh and hears His voice. Whenever the word “heart” is used it very seldom, if ever, refers to the organ that pumps our blood but almost always concerns our emotions, our sincerity and our commitment or dedication.

Eze 11:19 I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.
Job 23:16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
1Sa 6:6 Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts?
Zec 7:12 Yea, they (Israel) made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law.

The heart is spoken of as if it is the centre of our emotions. We read that the heart can condemn, believe, obey, conceive, burn within, think, envy, doubt, commit adultery, deceive, melt, cry, apply, treasure, faint, know, discern, imagine, cheer and be written on. The heart can hold secrets, be darkened or opened, it also can be at times blind, pricked, hardened, rent, turned, veiled, despitefully bitter, humbled, whorish, sorrowful, joyfully proud, haughty, desperately wicked, broken, stout, fat, sound, and glad. See below:

1Jn3:20 If our heart condemn us
Eph 6:6 Doing the will of God from the heart;
Eph 4:18 The blindness of their heart:
2Co 3:15 When Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
1Co 14:25 The secrets of his heart made manifest.
Ro 10:10 With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.
Ro 10:9 Believe in thine heart
Ro 6:17 Obeyed from the heart.
Ro 1:21 Their foolish heart was darkened.
Ac 16:14 Lydia, whose heart Yahweh opened
Ac 8:37 Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart
Ac 7:54 They were cut to the heart.
Ac 5:4  Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?
Ac 4:32 Them that believed were of one heart and of one soul see Jer 32:39; Eze 11:19
Ac 2:46  They did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Ac 2:37 They were pricked in their heart
Joh 12:40  He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart
Lu 24:32 Did not our heart burn within us,
Lu 12:34  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Lu 9:47 Yahshua, perceiving the thought of their heart
Mr 11:23  And shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe
Mr 7:6  This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
Mr 7:21  Out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts
Mt 5:28  Looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery in his heart.
Na 2:10  The heart melteth, and the knees smite together,
Joe 2:13  And rend your heart, and not your garments,
Ho 11:8 Mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
Ho 7:14  They have not cried unto me with their heart.
Da 5:22 Hast not humbled thine heart;
Da 2:30  That thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.
Eze 27:31  They shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing.
Eze 25:15  Have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart
Eze 14:7  Which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart
Eze 6:9  I am broken with their whorish heart
Eze 3:10  All my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart
La 5:15  The joy of our heart is ceased;
La 3:65  Give them sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them.
La 3:41  Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens
La 2:19  Pour out thine heart like water before the face of Yahweh
Jer 49:16  Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart,
Jer 48:29  We have heard the pride of Moab, and the haughtiness of his heart.
Jer 32:39  I will give them one heart, and one way see Ac 4:32
Jer 24:7  I will give them an heart to know me, they shall return unto me with their whole heart.
Jer 23:20  The anger of Yahweh shall not return till he have performed the thoughts of his heart:
Jer 23:17  Every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart
Jer 23:16  They speak a vision of their own heart, not out of the mouth of Yahweh
Jer 23:9 Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets;
Jer 18:12  We will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.
Jer 17:10  I Yahweh search the heart,
Jer 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jer 17:5 Cursed be the man whose heart departeth from Yahweh.
Jer 13:22 If thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me?
Jer 4:14  O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness,
Jer 4:4  Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah.
Isa 63:17  O Yahweh, why hast thou hardened our heart from thy fear?
Isa 51:7  Hearken unto me, the people in whose heart is my law;
Isa 29:13 Yahweh said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me
Isa 9:9  All the people shall know, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
Isa 6:10  Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes;
Ec 11:9 Rejoice, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth
Ec 8:5  A wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.
Ec 7:22  Thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
Pr 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:
Pr 26:25  Believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Pr 23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners:
Pr 23:12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
Pr 23:7  For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:
Pr 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
Ps 119:69 I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

When the law is written on our hearts can we then just read our hearts and know what the law says? Or does it mean we unconsciously discern from our hearts what is written in the law and thus automatically know what to obey and what not to obey? If either of these were true why do we find the apostles discussing what to teach the Gentiles and deciding on only four commandments and why are the commandments taught over and over again by them? When we use the terms “from the heart” or “heartfelt” or “with all my heart,” are we not in a sense saying that we are truly sincere, that we are earnest in our intent or genuine and honest in what we say and do? It does not have anything to do with the organ that pumps our blood but is only a similitude. To have something written on our heart is to say we undertake it with devotion, dedication and commitment. To say music or politics or sports is written on our heart would be to say we are devoted to these things from within our deepest most intimate being. That is why Jer 17:1 tells us Judah sinned with such devotion, enthusiasm and fervour it was as if it was written on their heart with a diamond pointed iron pen. This is why David could say the law rejoices the heart, more to be desired than gold, sweeter than honey and that he delights in the law which he loves and that the law is his meditation all the day. And Paul could write, “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man.”

The Holy Spirit was given on the Day of Pentecost, the anniversary of Moses receiving the law from Yahweh. The Holy Spirit didn’t replace the law but was given to strengthen it. Yahweh said, “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts” (Jer 31:33, Heb 8:10). The Holy Spirit use to dwell in the stone temple’s Holy of Holies beside the stone tablets where was written the law. Of course it was not confined to just the temple but Yahweh no longer dwells in a stone temple but the saints are now His temple, our hearts being the Holy of Holies where the law and the Holy Spirit still abide.

Heb 8:10 I will put my laws into their mind (#1271 dianoia), and write them in their hearts.
Heb 10:16 I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds (#1271 dianoia) will I write them;
Jer 31:33 I will put my law in their inward parts (#7130 qereb), and write it in their hearts.

The law is not only written on our hearts but also put into our minds (Heb 8:10) or written in our minds (Heb 10:16). Both these verses are quoting Jer 31.33 and as you can see “inward parts” (Hebrew qereb) is changed to “minds” (dianoia). The Hebrew word qereb has the meaning of among, within or in the midst, whereas dianoia means “a thinking through, or over, a meditation, reflecting” (Vine). If the law was to be imbedded into our brains, our understanding the common Greek word would have been nous not dianoia. Yahweh put the law in our “inward parts,” into our uttermost being, into our very soul (De 11:18).

Teaching the Law In the NT

If, “the law written on our hearts” means it is automatically understood why does Hebrews say some have to be taught the law again, after being taught it once before?

Heb 5:12  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles (logion) of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
#3051~
logion – KJV – oracles 4, total 4. Definition: a brief utterance, the contents of the Mosaic law.

Its meaning can clearly be seen in the next two verses.

Ac 7:38  This is he (Moses vs 37), that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively ORACLES (logion) to give unto us:
Ro 3: 1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the ORACLES (logion) of God.

Teaching and obeying the law were most certainly taught in the NT.

2Ti 2:2 The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
1Th 4:1 We beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Master Yahshua, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
Col 3: 5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Milk symbolizes basic, fundamental teaching and meat symbolizes profound, deep teaching.

 

1Pe 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1Co 3:2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
Heb 5:12  And are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Paul did not hesitate to demand that his teachings be followed.

1Co 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances (paradosis), as I delivered them to you.

2Th 3:6  Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Master Yahshua Messiah, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition (paradosis) which he received of us.
2Th 2:15  Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions (paradosis) which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
#3862 ~ paradosis – KJV- tradition 12, ordinance 1; total 13. Definition: the act of giving up, surrender, a giving over which is done by word of mouth or in writing, tradition by instruction, narrative, precept, etc. the substance of a teaching.

Preaching spread the gospel message, whereas teaching educated believers on what to do and how to live for Messiah.

Ac 14:21 When they (Paul and Barnabas) had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra.
Ac 15:35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of Yahweh, with many others also.
Col 1:28  Whom (Yahshua) we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Messiah Yahshua:

The ruling of the Jerusalem Council laid out only four commandments with the knowledge that the law of Moses was taught in every city throughout the world.

Ac 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

The apostles all continued to teach the commandments and bishops, deacons and servants of Yahweh were expected to be capable of teaching as well.

Ac 16:20 These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our (Pagans of Philippi) city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
Ac 18:11  And he continued there a year and six months, teaching  the word of God among them.
1Co 4:17 Who (Timothy) shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Messiah, as I teach every where in every church.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Ga 6:6 (RSV) Let him who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.
Ep 5: 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Messiah and of God. 6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7  Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
1Ti 3:2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach (able to teach NIV).
2Ti 2:24  And the servant of Yahweh must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach (able to teach NIV), patient.

 

Live by Faith

Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Ro 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Ga 3:11 No man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Heb 10:38 The just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

In the OT Habakkuk writes, “The just shall live by his faith,” and this is quoted three times in the NT to show that we, as well as those in the OT, must also live by faith.