In one magisterial sentence Paul sums up his relationship to the law, meaning the Law of Moses.
Here in Galatians 2:19 he prudently writes: “For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.”
“Through” the law, using the simple Greek preposition “dia,” essentially means “by” the law. Better yet, “by means of” the law!
Sounds like the law “killed” Paul doesn’t it?
In fact, I suggest the law really kills everyone!
Listen to God’s Word: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:20
And by “sinning” we mean?
Oh, 1 John 3:4 answers this: “Sin is the transgression of the law.”
How many times in the Old Testament is the death penalty pronounced on anyone violating some aspect of the Law? Here’s Exodus 31:15, a single example: “Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.”
Now, multiply this “threat” dozens of times!
Furthermore, crucially, James 2:10 adds: “For whosoever shall keep the WHOLE law, and yet offend in ONE POINT, he is guilty of all.” One little “mishap,” and a sinner is guilty of breaking it all, the entire Mosaic Code!
No wonder Scripture dogmatically concludes: “For the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23!
So Paul believes that he is “dead” to the Law … because he has (even if accidentally) disobeyed that Law … and that Law (in principle) executed him, put Paul to death!
Dead to the Law! Dead by means of the Law! Dead because of the Law!
But (praise God) “born again” in Christ Jesus the Lord! Because of the Lord Jesus!
Paul’s “deadness” to the Law is a fact, too. The verb “am dead” (in Greek “apothnesko”) being an “aorist,” depicting an action having occurred in the past. Indicatively so, positively so.
Paul’s “aliveness” unto God is a longing desire, possibility … based on Jesus’ Death on Calvary! (And God’s subsequent “Gift” of Salvation! The very “heart” of the Gospel, Paul’s Gospel.) The verb “might live” (in Greek “zao”) being in the subjunctive mood!
This presents us with the distinct possibility of the salvation of everybody (all the “whoseoevers” of John 3:16)! The Atonement is unlimited, then! Everybody who believes in Jesus, repenting of their sins!
Wow, what a Verse!
“For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.”
What pristine theology!
Then … to preach the Law as the means of salvation … is a slap in the Face of Almighty God!
Dead to the Law!
Dead because of the Law’s condemnation!
But then … the possibility of being alive in Jesus!
Paul’s words: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13
Amen!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Does this Lesson make sense? It sure brings me peace!