I will attempt to lay down the law with the New Testament (New Covenant or B'rit Hadashah) textually, as it relates to the word "law". This word is so misused and so mistranslated by mainstream Churchianity that it's time to do this. It will take more than a few blogs, so please bear with me.
When using the NASB, the search tool in e-Sword gives 224 occurrences of the word in 170 verses. Obviously, all 224 do not need to be covered. Some uses involve a "mother-in-law", etc. So, these uses won't be dealt with, unless it is applicable to the effort - which is to establish when one is speaking in context of Torah (Law), man's rules (law), man's behavior (law), or an academic paradigm (law) that is being used to illustrate or describe an idea or interaction with the "law". What I am not doing, because it would take volumes, is to include inferences to the law. An example would be the use of the word, "righteousness". Righteousness actually means, "Right Standing in Torah" (the Law)!
I will be using Strong's Hebrew and Greek dictionary. Let's get started!
Mat_5:17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law [Nomos] or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
Mat_5:18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law [Nomos] until all is accomplished.
[Note: "Nomos" is the Greek word used here. It means the entirety of what Yehovah has written, what Moses has written, and what Yeshua has spoken/written. It contains the Torah, the totality of the Tanakh, and, of course, the New Testament, because most all of the B'rit Hadashah is a repeat of the Tanakh. In an effort to deny Torah, some have claimed it means only what Moses has declared. The very context of what Yeshua is saying here denies that idea. Also, if one can say Moses was not inspired by God, you may as well toss your Bible in the trash. Here is a short video explaining how the Tanakh and the New Testament are the same. These verses in Matthew are from the fabled Sermon on the Mount, which, when studied and researched, is a declaration by Yeshua of what the Tanakh says! The "smallest letter or stroke", the KJV says "jots and tittles", refers to the ornate calligraphy used in a Torah scroll and ancient biblical script.
"Do not think ..." - Unfortunately the Church has adopted this as their motto. Yeshua is adamantly telling us here, "whatever you do, DO NOT BELIEVE ANYONE who says I have come to DENY Torah or the Prophets!" This declarative statement by Yeshua should have mainstream Christian Pastors and Priests shaking in their boots and wetting their pants! This statement should also be a warning clarion to all pew-sitters listening to their denominations tell them Torah has been nailed to the Cross!
"I did not come to abolish but to fulfill." "Fulfill" is another one of those misused words. The Greek "pleroo" means to completely fill up. In English one can say to "fill full". Imagine a glass of water on a counter, half full. To "fulfill" it is to take a pitcher of water and literally fill the glass to the top - to the point of overflowing! Our Covenant with God (Yeshua) is all about filling up to it's ultimate fullness. This includes Torah, which will ultimately be filled at the end of the millennial reign! Fulfill DOES NOT mean, "to bring to an end"! (Here is a great short video explaining the word)
"... until all is accomplished." When does this happen? Read Jeremiah 31 and you'll discover it's at the end of the millennium! Most Christians don't even realize that The New Covenant is in the process of being fulfilled.
Mat_7:12 "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law [Nomos] and the Prophets.
[Note: What sense does it make to acknowledge that Torah is the guide for the proper treatment of your fellow human beings, whilst denying Torah is still applicable today? Interestingly, the verse following this one mentions the "narrow gate" we must take. Did you know - Torah is part of that narrow gate!?!]
Mat_11:13 "For all the prophets and the Law [Nomos] prophesied until John.
[Note: The context here is Jesus speaking of his "messenger sent ahead - to prepare the way" - John. Now would be a good time to illustrate what some folks do with scripture. People have quoted this verse to me and have said, "after John came to proclaim Jesus, the Torah was not needed anymore!" Not only does this sentiment deny scripture but it makes Jesus a liar (who proceeded to live out Torah perfectly). There are two distinct ways of interpreting scripture. One is called, Exegesis. The other is called, Eisegesis. Exegesis is when the reader relies upon the actual annotative meaning of the words presented and does not add to or take away from their meaning. It uses critical thinking. It takes the written words in context. This method is very biblical (see Deut. 4:2). Eisegesis is when the reader adds to the text an interpretation based on his or her own wishes, bias, and ideas. This is NOT biblical! One can easily destroy context by using this method. Most Pastors, Priests, and Rabbis are Eisegesis types.]
Mat_12:5 "Or have you not read in the Law [Nomos], that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent?
[Note: The Pharisees are complaining that Yeshua's followers are breaking man's rules and Yeshua reminds them of the time when David entered the Tabernacle and ate the Showbread and that Priests actually "work" on the Sabbath. Jesus goes on to remind them that He is Lord of the Sabbath. Yeshua always spoke out against man's rules, but not His rules (Torah). Context is everything when reading the Bible and healing a man on the Sabbath is not breaking Torah. Please notice - nowhere does Jesus deny Torah or His Sabbath, yet, man will deny Torah and tell you the Sabbath is on a pagan day - Sunday. Who do you listen to? Man or God?]
Mat_22:36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law [Nomos]?"
...
Mat_22:40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law [Nomos] and the Prophets."
[Note: Yeshua is repeating here what has already been stated in Torah, love the LORD God with all your heart , soul, and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. This declaration DOES NOT make Torah redundant! This is a summation of what Torah represents. To think otherwise is a liberal use of eisegesis and a denial of God's Word.]
Mat_23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law [Nomos]: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.
[Note: Ever notice that Preachers will tell you Torah has been nailed to the Cross - EXCEPT the part where 10% should be given to them! That's what "tithe" means! Once again, Yeshua is condemning man's misuse of Torah, not Torah!]
I'll stop here. The book of Matthew has been gone through. It gets very interesting the deeper we get into it. Please notice that although the manuscripts say "Nomos", which corresponds to Torah, our most beloved translators (sarcasm) chose to use the word "law". This is called bias, folks! Bias against Jews. What they don't realize is that this is bias against God Himself!
I believe wholeheartedly in the inerrant Word of God! I do not believe in the errant translations of men!
The Observer
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