Antinomianism

[Zakuska]

Another poster on another board had some great things to say...

Now we have a name for the Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Once saved always saved, heresys:

Antinomianism (a term coined by Martin Luther, from the Greek ἀντί, "against" + νόμος, "law"), is defined as holding that under the gospel dispensation of grace, moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.[1] Although the concept is related to the foundational Protestant belief of Sola Fide where justification is through faith alone in Christ, it is taken to an extreme in antinomianism. It is seen by some as the opposite of the notion that obedience to a code of religious law earns salvation: legalism or works righteousness. While there is wide agreement within Christianity that "antinomianism" is heresy, what constitutes antinomianism is often in disagreement. The term "antinomian" emerged soon after the Protestant Reformation (c.1517) and has historically been used mainly as a pejorative against Christian thinkers or sects who carried their belief in justification by faith further than was customary.[2] For example, Martin Luther preached justification by faith alone, but was also an outspoken critic of antinomianism, perhaps most notably in his Against the Antinomians (1539). While the charge of antinomianism can and often does apply to those who reject the keeping of any codified moral laws, antinomian theology does not necessarily imply the embrace of ethical permissiveness; rather it usually implies emphasis on the inner working of the Holy Spirit as the primary source of ethical guidance.[2]In addition, although the term originated in early controversies of Protestant doctrine, and has its roots in debates over the Synoptic Gospels and the Pauline Epistles and the issue of Paul of Tarsus and Judaism and the Biblical Greek terms anomia and anomos which are generally translated lawlessness and lawless respectively, it can be extended to any religious group believing they are not bound to obey the laws of their own religious tradition. However, few groups or sects, outside of Christian anarchism or Jewish anarchism, explicitly call themselves "antinomian".

http://en.wikipedia....i/Antinomianism

Some great quotes:

"In the Bible the offer of pardon on the part of God is conditioned upon intention to reform on the part of man. There can be no spiritual regeneration till there has been a moral reformation" A.W. Tozer.

"Fundamental Christianity in our times is deeply influenced by that ancient enemy of righteousness, Antinomianism. The creed of the Antinomian is easily stated: We are saved by faith alone; works have no place in salvation; conduct is works, and is therefore of no importance. What we do cannot matter as long as we believe rightly. The divorce between creed and conduct is absolute and final. The question of sin is settled by the Cross; conduct is outside the circle of faith and cannot come between the believer and God. Such in brief, is the teaching of the Antinomian. And so fully has it permeated the Fundamental element in modern Christianity that it is accepted by the religious masses as the very truth of God. Antinomianism is the doctrine of grace carried by uncorrected logic to the point of absurdity. It takes the teaching of justification by faith and twists it into deformity." A. W. Tozer

“God cannot do our repenting for us. In our efforts to magnify grace we have so preached the truth as to convey the impression that repentance is a work of God. This is a grave mistake, and one which is taking a frightful toll among Christians everywhere. God has commanded all men to repent. It is a work which only they can do. It is morally impossible for one person to repent for another. Even Christ could not do this. He could die for us, but He cannot do our repenting for us.” A.W. Tozer.

"In many churches Christianity has been watered down until the solution is so weak that if it were poison it would not hurt anyone, and if it were medicine it would not cure anyone!" — I Talk Back to the Devil — A.W. Tozer.

“Christ’s work on Calvary made atonement for every man, but it did not save any man.”

A.W. Tozer.

"It's as though he were saying that by grace we are saved after all we can do. "

Edited September 6, 2011 by Zakuska

[Zakuska]

Excellent quote by Martin Luther:

a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn’t stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing. Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever...

Thus, it is just as impossible to separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire!

[

5]

I've been saying that exact thing to LDS critics for years now.

Edited September 6, 2011 by Zakuska

[Anakin7]

Zakuska where is that reference quote from Martin Luther from ?.

In His Debt/Grace

Anakin7

LDS JEDI KNIGHT

[Zakuska]

The Wiki article gives this:

[5] ^ http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/luther-faith.txt Luther, "An Introduction to St. Paul's Letter to the Romans,"] Luther's German Bible of 1522 by Martin Luther, 1483-1546 Translated by Rev. Robert E. Smith from DR. MARTIN LUTHER'S VERMISCHTE DEUTSCHE SCHRIFTEN. Johann K. Irmischer, ed. Vol. 63 (Erlangen: Heyder and Zimmer, 1854), pp.124-125. [EA 63:124-125] August 1994

Edited September 6, 2011 by Zakuska

[Anakin7]

The Wiki article gives this:

[5] ^ http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/luther-faith.txt Luther, "An Introduction to St. Paul's Letter to the Romans,"] Luther's German Bible of 1522 by Martin Luther, 1483-1546 Translated by Rev. Robert E. Smith from DR. MARTIN LUTHER'S VERMISCHTE DEUTSCHE SCHRIFTEN. Johann K. Irmischer, ed. Vol. 63 (Erlangen: Heyder and Zimmer, 1854), pp.124-125. [EA 63:124-125] August 1994

Thank you my fellow JEDI KNIGHT Master In Christ Jesus Zakuska.

In His Debt/Grace

Anakin7

LDS JEDI KNIGHT

[Zakuska]

Thank you my fellow JEDI KNIGHT Master In Christ Jesus Zakuska.

In His Debt/Grace

Anakin7

LDS JEDI KNIGHT

We actually have quite a bit more from Martin Luther against the Antinomian hersey:

Antinomian Controversies in Lutheranism

See also: Martin Luther#Anti-Antinomianism

The term "antinomianism" was coined by Martin Luther during the Reformation, to criticize extreme interpretations of the new Lutheran soteriology.^[11] The Lutheran Church benefited from early antinomian controversies by becoming more exact in distinguishing between Law and Gospel and justification and sanctification. Martin Luther developed 258 theses during his six antinomian disputations, which continue to provide doctrinal guidance to Lutherans today.^[11]

^{R.E. AW Tozer}

Aiden Wilson Tozer (April 21, 1897 - May 12, 1963) was an American Christian

pastor, preacher, author, magazine editor, Bible conference speaker, and

spiritual mentor.[1] For his work, he received two honorary doctorate

degrees.

http://en.wikipedia....iki/A._W._Tozer

Edited September 6, 2011 by Zakuska

[etana]

do i have to use it in a sentence now?

[Anakin7]

A Grace for Grace Gift exchange for Zakuska [And Others] - http://www.icinet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/work-0...

In His Debt/Grace

Anakin7

LDS JEDI KNIGHT

Edited September 6, 2011 by Anakin7

[Zakuska]

Thanks my JEDI friend... But the dark side of the force seems to be working against you.

Your link isn't working So I'll post it again: http://www.iclnet.or...erg-luther.html

I also like the inverted Pentagram on the Top of Martin Luthers Clock tower:

http://psychochemiker.wordpress.com/2009/08/08/staronchurch/

Edited September 6, 2011 by Zakuska

[Anakin7]

Thanks my JEDI friend... But the dark side of the force seems to be working against you.

Your link isn't working So I'll post it again: http://www.iclnet.or...erg-luther.html

I also like the inverted Pentagram on the Top of Martin Luthers Clock tower:

http://psychochemike...8/staronchurch/

Thank you I perhaps misstyped or one of my Ewoks friends are being bad again !.

Edited September 6, 2011 by Anakin7

[mfbukowski]

deleted

Edited September 6, 2011 by mfbukowski

[Anakin7]

deleted

No they are not perfect [ "complete" as the greek means from my understanding ] but are forgiven when adhering to Gospel principles.

In His Debt/Grace

Anakin7

LDS JEDI KNIGHT

[seriously honestly]

Antinomianism (a term coined by Martin Luther, from the Greek ἀντί, "against" + νόμος, "law"), is defined as holding that under the gospel dispensation of grace, moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.[1]

Well it would appear then that Antimomianism goes against the Bible, and is not consistant with what the Bible following Faith alone/by grace crowd believe.

[Palerider]

Another poster on another board had some great things to say...

Now we have a name for the Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Once saved always saved, heresys:

http://en.wikipedia....i/Antinomianism

Some great quotes:

"It's as though he were saying that by grace we are saved after all we can do. "

Hardly......

Indeed there are a number who do not understand (and thus abuse) the principle of being saved by grace and being justified before the Father by the efforts of Christ, because any earthly (temporal) effort that man makes is exactly that....temporal and therefore insufficient. Only an Eternal and perfect being can influence eternity on our behalf, advocate our position before the Father and declare the debt of sin to be paid in full.

But to suggest that all or even most protestant religions find no value in good works only opens oneself to ridicule and shows ones ignorance of the true landscape.

May I suggest that you spend just a little bit of time watching the pastor David Jeremiah and his program called "Turning Point"? He spends plenty of time declaring the need for good works as being an expectation of God for his children. And his explanation of salvation by grace makes more sense to me than any I ever heard during 50 years as a Mormon.

When a church creates a false system of measurement of righteousness and allows men to become the judges of another's worthiness, they begin to usurp a right which belongs to God alone. They become no better than those Pharisees who obeyed the letter of the law and thus could count themselves as "righteous" and could then take pleasure in judging another's righteousness by their standards rather than Heavenly Father's.

I signed enough temple recommends to know when someone was sincerley living the Law of Christ and when someone was "obeying the commandments" without true faith in Christ, just so they could attend the temple and be seen by others as "worthy".

Without doubt the LDS church is a "legalist" system of commandments and doctrines. If this weren't true no one in the church would ever have to ask themselves whether it is o.k. to drink Dr. Pepper or watch "Saving Private Ryan", and yet if one is honest with themselves they know the LDS people do actually struggle with these questions from time to time.

I love and yet at the same time, feel sorry for many of them.

[Zakuska]

But to suggest that all or even most protestant religions find no value in good works only opens oneself to ridicule and shows ones ignorance of the true landscape.

So lets take a look at the lay of the land... If I could have a penny for every time a Baptist/Methodist/Catholic/etc. etc. etc. quoted this verse to me Id be a millionaire!

Isaiah 64:6 KJV 1611

"But we are al as an vncleane thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy ragges, and we all doe fade as a leafe, and our iniquities like the wind haue taken vs away."

So if works are nothing more than used sanitary napkins then why do them at all?

[Zakuska]

Wow... $11 I might just have to buy that one.

http://www.lutheranpress.com/ode.htm

[Zakuska]

Perhaps all the Antinomians in the crowd who think that meeting Gods conditions of being baptized etc. etc. is some how "works salvation"... and violates "faith alone grace alone " should read this.

Earning by Works versus Conditions

"Taking" or focusing in on the truth, that we do not "merit" or earn God's salvation and its attending blessings, has led many into Antinomianism. Yes, it IS true that we do NOT earn our salvation, nor our relationship with God. But that does not negate the fact that God DOES HAVE HIS "Conditions" respecting salvation.

Suppose, for instance, I were to read in my newspaper about a free milk giveaway happening at the local dairy. Let's say the newspaper states that between the hours of 10 A.M. and 3 P.M. on Thursday, March 16th., the dairy is pleased to give to every person over the age of 18 a fresh gallon of milk, for free. From such an ad, I'd understand that the milk would to be free, right? I wouldn't have to pay for it or earn it. Also, anyone over 18 years old could receive a gallon if they wanted. Therefore, it would be fairly clear that there would be NO WAY anyone could earn, merit, pay for or deserve a free gallon of milk. It is a free gift.

However, at the same time, there are definite "conditions" to receiving the milk such as:

Firstly, one had to be over 18 years of age.

Secondly, they had to be present at the dairy.

Thirdly, only between the hours of 10 A.M. and 3 P.M. on Thursday, March 16th. could it be received.

Meeting Conditions does NOT mean earning by works

By being at the dairy at the required time would not mean that anyone had earned, worked for or deserved the milk. No one would even be considered if they weren't present there between the appointed times. Merit, works and deserving it have nothing to do with it. It is based totally on grace -i.e. the kindness of the dairy to give it away. The dairy is giving it away simply because they want to.

On the other hand, there are definite conditions to being able to receive a gallon of milk. How happy a person is about being able to get the milk makes no difference concerning whether they receive it or not. Even "faith alone" is not the deciding factor in them receiving the milk directly. If they don't make it to the dairy in person as specified, they will simply loose out. The fact that these conditions have to be followed has nothing to do with anyone earning the milk or whether or not it is a gift. Having conditions has nothing whatsoever to do with the love, kindness and tender hearts of the dairy owners.

In the same way, parents sometimes have conditions for their children. Because of LOVE, parents may wish to give or do something for their children. However, just because they make it conditional, like first having to have either their room clean, face washed, hair combed or such like, doesn't make the gift any less a gift. Knowing how children can think, only the mind of an immature child could think they were earning it. What does this tell us about the level of thought Antinomians use?

An example of salvation's "conditions" was taught by Jesus in His parable concerning the wise and foolish virgins (Matt 25:1-13). The primary difference between the wise and foolish was whether or not they had met God's conditions.

(Side note: some Antinomian teachers, in trying to explain this away, say that the foolish virgins only missed the rapture, etc., but will still have a second chance after the tribulation. We ask: when does the Bible say they get their "second chance"? Instead, Jesus said to them "I tell you the truth, I don't know you". In every place where Jesus says He doesn't know them, the consequences are always disastrous eternally. So how do these "smooth talkers" get such a conclusion? Certainly not from the Bible. I'd hate to teach or base my eternal future on such unscriptural doctrines of men.)

http://www.bereanpublishers.com/Salvation_Issues/antinomians_are_coming.htm

[Anakin7]

That was/is Awesome !.

In His Debt/Grace

Anakin7

LDS JEDI KNIGHT

[erichard]

Perhaps all the Antinomians in the crowd who think that meeting Gods conditions of being baptized etc. etc. is some how "works salvation"... and violates "faith alone grace alone " should read this.

...

That is pretty much how I would teach it.

We have to qualify for salvation, but what we do to qualify does not actually save us-- the atonement of Christ saves us. If one does not have to qualify for salvation, then the only logical reason everyone is not saved is that God is capricious in who He saves.

Now we need to determine a good name for the heresy that "Jedi Knights" are offices in the Priesthood, and that the "force" is really the Holy Ghost.

Richard

[Palerider]

So lets take a look at the lay of the land... If I could have a penny for every time a Baptist/Methodist/Catholic/etc. etc. etc. quoted this verse to me Id be a millionaire!

Isaiah 64:6 KJV 1611

"But we are al as an vncleane thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy ragges, and we all doe fade as a leafe, and our iniquities like the wind haue taken vs away."

So if works are nothing more than used sanitary napkins then why do them at all?

Excellent question.

As Paul states in Titus 3: 5-8

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

⁶Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

⁷That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ⁸This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

And as the Savior stated in John 15: 5

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

[Palerider]

So lets take a look at the lay of the land... If I could have a penny for every time a Baptist/Methodist/Catholic/etc. etc. etc. quoted this verse to me Id be a millionaire!

Isaiah 64:6 KJV 1611

"But we are al as an vncleane thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy ragges, and we all doe fade as a leafe, and our iniquities like the wind haue taken vs away."

So if works are nothing more than used sanitary napkins then why do them at all?

Excellent question.

As Paul states in Titus 3: 5-8

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

⁶Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

⁷That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ⁸This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

So we share one another's burdens, do service etc. to relieve suffering and be of aid to our fellowman and we will be judged by those works and by what was in our hearts as we do them, but we will not be justified by them. We are justified by faith Christ and his sacrifice alone.

And as the Savior stated in John 15: 5

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

When a person abides in Christ their works come forth as a natural result or fruit of that relationship. If the work itself had salvific capability there would have been no need for the atonement.

As stated in Ephesians 2: 10

Ephesians 2:10

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Therefore, having been justified in Christ, we become a new creature dedicated by Him unto good works which he performs through us. So if our works are a result of Christ working through us, how is it possible for us to take credit for them?

The false concept that we can perfect or justify ourselves before God by adding our measly works to Christ's sacrifice is put to flight by the realization that outward works in and of themselves can be done to be seen of others.

Christ's castigation of the Pharisees was ample proof of this:

Matthew 23:27

27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

[Zakuska]

Excellent question.

As Paul states in Titus 3: 5-8

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

⁶Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

⁷That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ⁸This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

So we share one another's burdens, do service etc. to relieve suffering and be of aid to our fellowman and we will be judged by those works and by what was in our hearts as we do them, but we will not be justified by them. We are justified by faith Christ and his sacrifice alone.

And as the Savior stated in John 15: 5

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

When a person abides in Christ their works come forth as a natural result or fruit of that relationship. If the work itself had salvific capability there would have been no need for the atonement.

As stated in Ephesians 2: 10

Ephesians 2:10

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Therefore, having been justified in Christ, we become a new creature dedicated by Him unto good works which he performs through us. So if our works are a result of Christ working through us, how is it possible for us to take credit for them?

The false concept that we can perfect or justify ourselves before God by adding our measly works to Christ's sacrifice is put to flight by the realization that outward works in and of themselves can be done to be seen of others.

Christ's castigation of the Pharisees was ample proof of this:

Matthew 23:27

27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

But here we have a problem... because the Bible also tells us that there are some who do good works without ever knowing Christ, and they are just before God.

Romans 2

13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

This is a direct contradiction of what Paul later claims.

Galatians 2:16

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Edited September 12, 2011 by Zakuska

[Palerider]

But here we have a problem... because the Bible also tells us that there are some who do good works without ever knowing Christ, and they are just before God.

Romans 2

13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

This is a direct contradiction of what Paul later claims.

Galatians 2:16

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Ahhh,

It appears to be a contradiction but in reality is only apparent.

In Romans, Paul is making the argument to the Jews that obeying the law from the heart is what is acceptable to God. For even the Gentiles who have the law written in their hearts by Christ (John 1:9, That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.) will be justified by Christ because they do the law out of the goodness of their hearts, which is a fruit of the Spirit.

They may not have heard of Christ during their lifetime but (as the LDS church also teaches) that doesn’t mean they will never hear his voice or of Him. (John 5: 25, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.)

Thus, being doers of the law that is written in their hearts by Christ they will eventually be justified through Him, if not in this life then the next.

In Galatians however, Paul is now making the argument to the Gentile converts that the Judaizers who have come from the church in Jerusalem to tell them that they need to be circumcised, keep all the dietary laws, etc. of the Law of Moses in order to be acceptable to God……..are deceiving them.

It is like adding a bunch of ordinances, regulations, rites, etc. that may give one an outward way of measuring righteousness but that in reality only creates a culture of self-justification and self-congratulatory righteousness. The result of which is misery because a person never knows if they have “done enough” or performed “perfectly enough” to determine whether they are saved or not. Sound familiar?

Legalism destroys the freedom offered through Christ’s Gospel by negating the inner workings of the Holy Ghost (to help one determine the path Christ would choose for one’s life) and replaces it with a bunch of do's and don'ts.

Thus Paul teaches the Galatian saints that the works of the law (not our good works from the heart) do not justify an individual before God. Christ’s atonement alone is sufficient for that. Don’t add the extra and unnecessary burden of the law.

[Zakuska]

Ahhh,

It appears to be a contradiction but in reality is only apparent.

In Romans, Paul is making the argument to the Jews that obeying the law from the heart is what is acceptable to God. For even the Gentiles who have the law written in their hearts by Christ (John 1:9, That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.) will be justified by Christ because they do the law out of the goodness of their hearts, which is a fruit of the Spirit.

Argument to the Jews? The letter is addressed to the Greeks and Heathans (aka Romans/Gentiles) who have been called to be Saints for Christ (see Rom. 1:14 especially) This can also be seen in this verse...

Romans 11

13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them

15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

They may not have heard of Christ during their lifetime but (as the LDS church also teaches) that doesn’t mean they will never hear his voice or of Him. (John 5: 25, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.)

Thus, being doers of the law that is written in their hearts by Christ they will eventually be justified through Him, if not in this life then the next.

In Galatians however, Paul is now making the argument to the Gentile converts that the Judaizers who have come from the church in Jerusalem to tell them that they need to be circumcised, keep all the dietary laws, etc. of the Law of Moses in order to be acceptable to God……..are deceiving them.

It is like adding a bunch of ordinances, regulations, rites, etc. that may give one an outward way of measuring righteousness but that in reality only creates a culture of self-justification and self-congratulatory righteousness. The result of which is misery because a person never knows if they have “done enough” or performed “perfectly enough” to determine whether they are saved or not. Sound familiar?

Legalism destroys the freedom offered through Christ’s Gospel by negating the inner workings of the Holy Ghost (to help one determine the path Christ would choose for one’s life) and replaces it with a bunch of do's and don'ts.

Thus Paul teaches the Galatian saints that the works of the law (not our good works from the heart) do not justify an individual before God. Christ’s atonement alone is sufficient for that. Don’t add the extra and unnecessary burden of the law.

As I have shown Paul is speaking to Gentile Converts in both places.

He also tells the Gentiles in Rome to keep the ten commandments and to fulfill the Law...

Romans 13

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

[Palerider]

Argument to the Jews? The letter is addressed to the Greeks and Heathans (aka Romans/Gentiles) who have been called to be Saints for Christ (see Rom. 1:14 especially) This can also be seen in this verse...

Romans 11

13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them

15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

As I have shown Paul is speaking to Gentile Converts in both places.

He also tells the Gentiles in Rome to keep the ten commandments and to fulfill the Law...

Romans 13

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

In writing to the Romans Paul addresses the saints in general, which being in such a cosmopolitan city would consist of both Jew and Gentile. While the Epistle most likely is geared to the enlightenment of the Gentile saints many of its arguments are also given for the education of the Jews who might be present and from a Jewish perspective.

This is made obvious in Chapter 7 verse 1-4:

Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

²For 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.

³So 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.

⁴Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

If Paul were addressing only the Gentiles at this point why would he suggest that they make the analogy of a marriage to Christ from a set of laws that they had never lived and were unfamiliar with?

If one reads the entire epistle and gets a feel for the full impact it becomes obvious that at some times Paul is making the argument from a Jewish perspective for Jewish converts and at other times for his Gentile audience from a Gentile perspective.

Regarding the verses you have quoted in chapter 13, a closer read actually shows that Paul is saying that the ten commandments are comprehended in the Law of Christ (Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self) which is what they should be obeying and then they won’t have to worry about breaking any of the ten commandments or other elements of the law and they will be keeping Christ’s law because of their faith in him and as a fruit of the Spirit.

For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

So far you have only attempted to split some minor hairs or change the subject regarding what I have written. If you can actually show where I have errored in principle please address it now or I think we’re pretty much done here.

Edited September 12, 2011 by Palerider