Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:17-20, ESV)
Messiah’s purpose was not to abolish God’s Law but to fulfill it. When we read only the English translation, this portion of scripture is difficult to understand. People often misinterpret “fulfill” to mean “bring to an end”. But, if we study the original Greek text we get a better understanding of what Messiah meant.
The Greek word translated as “abolish” is καταλῦσαι (Katalysai), which means “destroy”, “overthrow”, “annul” or “deprive of force”.
The Greek word translated as “fulfill” is πληρῶσαι (Plērōsai), which means “to accomplish”, “to carry out”, or “ to fully preach”.
Jesus said he didn’t come to overturn the Law but to practice and teach it, as it was always intended. The rest of the context of Matthew chapter 5 supports this interpretation.
The next thing Jesus said is none of the Law will be done away with until heaven and earth pass away and all things are accomplished. That is, the Law remains until Jesus returns to execute judgement and bring believers into the eternal Kingdom at the end of the age.
Next, Jesus taught that anyone who breaks even the least of God’s commandments, and who teaches others to break them, will be least in the Kingdom of Heaven. Conversely, Jesus taught that anyone who practices the Law and teaches others to do so will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus then taught that our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees and scribes of the Law. Throughout the gospel books we see Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees and scribes…they added-to and subtracted-from God’s Law with their own, man-made, traditions and rules. We must do better than the Pharisees and scribes if we are to enter the Kingdom. We must not add-to or subtract-from God’s Law, we must not place our own traditions and doctrines above God’s Law, and we must not disparage or misrepresent God’s Law. These are the sins of the Pharisees, which spoiled their righteousness and drew Jesus’ rebuke.
For the remainder of the chapter, Jesus expounds on God’s Law. Jesus clarifies God’s Law by addressing what the people heard about it versus what God always intended it to mean. Consistent with an interpretation that “fulfill” actually means to do the Law and make it fully taught and understood, Jesus clarifies common misinterpretations of the Law.
Why Do We Teach “The Law”?
1. YHWH (God) repeatedly said His Torah (or Law) is holy, perfect, and just throughout the Tanakh (“Old Testament”). We believe YHWH, so we believe His law truly is holy, perfect, and just.
2. Scripture repeatedly praises the value of Torah (Law) for gaining wisdom, knowing the will of YHWH, and walking in His ways. We want the promised blessings and benefits of meditating on His Torah and putting into practice.
3. Messiah said the Torah (Law) will remain in effect until the end of the age when he returns. We are confident heaven and earth have not yet passed away; so, we believe the Law is still in effect.
4. Messiah said anyone who breaks the Torah (Law) and teaches others to do so will be least in the kingdom. We don’t want to be least in the kingdom. Therefore, we don’t want to willfully violate Torah (Law) or teach others to do so.
5. Messiah said anyone who practices Torah (Law) and teaches others to do the same will be great in the kingdom. We want to be great in the kingdom. Therefore, we want to practice Torah (Law) and teach others to do the same.
But We Don’t Obey the Law Perfectly
Yes, we know. We know everyone falls short, everyone sins, and we cannot obey every aspect of the Law with perfection. We know we are guilty of violating the Law, and we know violation of the Law carries a penalty…
That is why we need salvation: To receive atonement for sin so we can be rescued from the death we deserve. But, after our sin has been atoned, Messiah wants us to go and sin no more. He wants us to stop living a life of Lawlessness.
Nobody Born of God Makes a Practice of Lawlessness
We don’t obey The Law as the means to be but as the response to our salvation. Having acknowledged our sin and partaken in Messiah’s sacrifice, we ought to stop living a lifestyle of Lawlessness.
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
(1 John 3:4-10, ESV)