|
Torah in NT (Beit) | Torah in NT (Dalet)
1 Timothy 1:5‒10 |
|
Contrary to some traditional ideas, Saul of Tarsus (the apostle Paul) did not disparage the Law of Moses. He disparaged the misuse of it. He disparaged the exaltation of Torah and boastful human adherence to its letter, without arriving at its purpose and goal.
In this, Paul was following the great prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, who likewise warned against mere obedience without faith and humility before God. Throughout Paul's teachings in his various letters to groups of Jewish and Gentile disciples of Yeshua scattered around the Mediterranean, Paul affirms the Law of Moses, the Law of God, the Torah. He assumes the continued validity of the Law, even though he believed aspects of it (not its entirety) were changed by God. For example, the ancient barriers between Jews and Gentiles had come down. Because many Gentiles had their hearts cleaned by faith in the God of Israel and in the Messiah, they were co-worshipers and fellow-members of the Commonwealth — unlike some unrepentant Jews who had no such cleansing faith. Below is a passage that shows how Paul's teaching was based on the Law. In it, he alludes to five of the Ten Commandments given in Exodus 20 (and Deuteronomy 5). |
Exodus 20 1 Timothy 1:5–10 Then God spoke all these words…
(v. 1)…the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart (v. 5) the Torah is good, if one uses it lawfully (8)
I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God,
showing steadfast love to…those who love me and keep my commandments (5-6)the Torah is made…for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, (9a) Honor your father and mother (12) for those who kill their fathers and mothers (9b) You shall not murder (13) for murderers (9c) You shall not commit adultery (14) and immoral men and homosexuals (10a) You shall not steal (15) and kidnappers (10b) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (16) and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching. (10c)
Directory | Site Map | NT Studies