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This article will clarify the meanings behind some of the verses from Paul’s letters to the Galatians and to the Romans that are often twisted or taken out-of-context and used by law-is-done-away-with Christians to falsely proclaim that God’s laws are abolished.
GALATIANS 3:24-25 (NKJV):
Therefore the law was our tutor *(schoolmaster) ^[trainer] to bring us to Messiah (Christ), that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor *(schoolmaster) ^[trainer].
*schoolmaster (KJV), ^trainer [HSV]
ROMANS 10:4 (NKJV):
For Messiah (Christ) is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Many falsely proclaim that the Torah (law), (or law of Moses), was bad, so Messiah (Christ) came to end the law for us. All that is required of people is to believe and have faith in Yeshua (Jesus). The law, our former schoolmaster, was abolished when Messiah (Christ) came.
After faith has come, is the law abolished? NO!
The belief that after faith, the law is abolished, is the wrong answer, the wrong assumption, and the wrong conclusion.
MATTHEW 5:17 (NKJV):
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law…”
In his epistle to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul goes on to write that the law remains in effect and those who practice lawlessness will not inherit the kingdom of God.
GALATIANS 5:19-21 (NKJV):
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, drug sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the reign of Elohim (kingdom of God).
Ah, say the lawless-minded, Paul never mentions Sabbath-keeping or the dietary commands, so surely we do not need to obey those commands.
Messiah (Christ) declared that the lesser laws remain in effect also.
MATTHEW 5:18-19 (NKJV):
“For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, ONE JOT OR ONE TITTLE will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of THE LEAST OF THESE COMMANDMENTS, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
The law was indeed a tutor for us, but now that Messiah (Christ) has come, this does NOT mean that the law is abolished.
Teachers give their students study guides, so that students can study and learn on their own. When the teacher arrives in the classroom, the students are no longer under the tutoring of their study guides; they now have their teacher to instruct them.
The teacher does not abolish the study guides, nor does the teacher tell his or her students to disregard everything that they learned in their study guides. The teacher further instructs the students, expanding upon what they learned on their own from the knowledge and wisdom contained in their study guides.
Our Teacher, Yeshua (Jesus), likewise did not abolish His law, but further explained the law to deepen our understanding of it.
MATTHEW 5:21-22 (NKJV) [MURDER – FURTHER EXPLAINED]:
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”
MATTHEW 5:27-32 (NKJV) [ADULTERY – FURTHER EXPLAINED]:
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. …
Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except fornication causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”
DID YESHUA’S (JESUS’) COMING MEAN THE END OF OBEYING THE LAW?
ROMANS 10:4 (NKJV):
For Messiah (Christ) is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
The English word ‘end’ in this context means the final part, the ending, or the finishing of the law. Yeshua (Jesus) is the COMPLETION of the law.
ROMANS 10:4 (NIV):
Messiah (Christ) is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
ROMANS 10:4 (HSV):
Messiah (Christ) is the goal of the Torah (law) unto righteousness for everyone who believes.
THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE OF SALVATION AND OF THE LAW
ACTS 4:11-12 (NKJV):
“This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders [THE JEWS], which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
–The Apostle Peter, speaking to the rulers and elders of Israel
1 PETER 2:7-8 (NKJV):
Therefore, to you who believe He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.”
They [THE GENTILE BELIEVERS] stumble, being disobedient to the word [THE LAW], to which they also were appointed [TO OBEY].
-The Apostle Peter, speaking to believers in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
Yeshua (Jesus) is the chief cornerstone whose salvation message was rejected by the Jews practicing Judaism and whose laws were rejected by many Gentiles of mainstream Christians. The Gentiles were given the Torah (law) along with the Gospel message of Yeshua Messiah (Jesus Christ). Messiah (Christ) is not the end (abolishment) of the law; He is the chief cornerstone of the law.
