The Concept of Law in Christianity

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Okay, so we left off with Paul writing that God is not a respecter of persons – and we explained that this was relative to the Law. Justice is blind (should be) well it is with God. Let’s read on beginning at verse 12 through 16.

Romans 2.12-16

December 6th 2020
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12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
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;)
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Understanding Paul's Message

So, let’s go back to verse 12, which Paul says in relation to God not being a respecter of persons –

12 “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law.” When Paul writes, “For as many,” he is speaking of the entire Gentile world. Not just the good gentiles, nor the pagan, but it is universal, sweeping declaration said of all “non-Jews.” And he says, relative to God not being a respecter of persons: ”FOR as many who have sinned without the law shall also perish without the Law.”

Did and do gentiles have law? Yes. But it was NOT the law of Moses – only the Jews had that Law with a capital L. The law all the rest of the world had (and have) is the Law “written in their hearts” (as described by Romans one and as described in John 1 as the light of Christ or conscience and as something every one of us have telling us that there is a God). So, when Paul writes “for as many as have sinned without law” he is speaking of all who sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. without law written in stone or without the revealed Law of Moses.

The Issue of Antinomianism

The Greek word, NOMION is often used to reference the revealed law of God, or the Scriptures, or the whole or part of the Law of Moses given to the Jews. From that word we get another big Greek word – “Antinomian,” coined by none other than Martin Luther himself. Take the word “nomian” and add, “anti” and you simply get, “Against or without the law or lawlessness.” This is somewhat of a sticky wicket because it can be defined in a number of ways. Some define it by saying: “under the gospel dispensation of grace, moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.”

This concept is foundational to the Protestant belief in “Sola Fide” where justification comes by and through faith alone in Christ. However, antinomianism is the doctrine taken to a zealous extreme, which in and of itself actually BECOMES a law. Let me explain. I am antinomian in that I see it as the opposite of the notion that obedience to a code of religious laws to earn salvation. In this way, I am “against the law.” But within the higher ranks of Christian theology, “antinomianism" is seen as heresy.

For example, Martin Luther preached “justification by faith alone” but was also an outspoken critic of antinomianism, perhaps most notably in his “book,” ‘Against the Antinomians’ (1539). So, let’s quickly explore the polarized extremes of antinomianism and see if we can produce some thoughts on just where you stand in relation to it.

When it comes to salvation, there is NO LAW or LAWS a person can obey that will save them. Paul himself astutely argues here in this very letter that we are saved by grace (which is given to us by God) through faith (which is made possible by God through the invitations he constantly extends to all of us). Additionally, there are NO LAWS written in stone where obedience to them maintains our salvation.

The Law and Christian Believers

The Law written in stone will only kill a believer, never bringing them to life and fruitfulness (scary as this may sound), and this INCLUDES any and all moral laws written in stone (thou shalt not kill, steal, commit adultery, etc.). Listen – Christians are dead to these.

Antinomianism and Christian Law

Commands because such commands operate on our flesh, and we know from scripture that in our flesh “dwells no good thing.” So . . . this is one side of the ANTINOMIAN topic and in this respect I am personally and WHOLLY Antinomian. However, (and this is the part that is often missed when it comes to antinomian positions) while the charge of antinomianism can (and often does) apply to those who reject the mandatory keeping of any codified moral laws, antinomianism often means embracing ethical and moral permissiveness, meaning, “a doing of whatever one wants.” This view was deemed an early heresy in the church and what it amounted to was sinning like there was no tomorrow with the justification that it made Jesus sacrifice all the more glorious! Often, this is the present-day view of antinomianism and any reasonable Christian would wholly reject it. How could a Christian, who reads the manual, ever believe that doing as one wishes is in harmony with the Christian walk?

So again, is the Christian under any law? This is sort of a trick question due to the use of the word, “under.” In response to this I would emphatically say no, the Christian is not under ANY laws whatsoever . . . and once these words fall out of my mouth some would mistakenly scream, “Antinomian.” However, let’s ask this question differently. “Are Christian’s vessels of law?” (repeat) And to this I would whole heartedly shout, “Absolutely.”

The New Commandment

Remember what Jesus said in John 13:34: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” This command is NOT written in stone, or in manuals that we have to study and takes tests on, ticking all the boxes as a means to qualify. To the Christian, this command is written on the heart – by the Spirit – and we become bearers of it, living vessels of this new command or new law within.

Ephesians 2:15 helps clarify this, saying: “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.”

2nd John 1:5 says: “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.” Again, 1st John 3:22-23 says ”And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”

Therefore, in another sense – the truest sense of the word, it would be impossible for a true Christian to be antinomian – in fact, in a revised sense of the word, a true Christian is the utter living antithesis of lawlessness – because we are vessels bearing the New Law within us – to love. And all Christians bearing this new command cannot help but obey it – not by force, but by Christ in them.

The Balance of Nomian and Antinomian

Get it? In other words, genuine biblical antinomians emphasize the inner working of the Holy Spirit as the primary source of ethical guidance, not rules written in stone or laws demanded by leaders for us to obey. A Christian from their heart BEARS the command to love within them and does not need an external command telling her to comply. So, in that sense genuine Christians are both nomian and antinomian at the same time. I have really thought a lot about this and I honestly believe that for a Christian, no matter what the topic at hand, its not about being right or wrong, its about bearing His love to all.

Again and in this age rife with division over everything under the sun, for a Christian it is NOT about being right or wrong, its all about bearing his love to all involved. Anyway, Paul states in verse 12:

12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law.

All this is saying is those who have sinned without the law (Gentiles) will perish (“apolountai” – will be worn away) without the law (meaning the one written on stone) and then he adds, speaking of the Jews, “and as many as have sinned in the law."

Judgment by Law and Conscience

In this we discover the reality of verse 11 above, that God is not in any way a respecter of persons. If you are a gentile and have not received the Law you will be judged by the sins you commit against the law you have received within yourself, and if you are a Jew who has received the Law, you will be judged by that.

The point of the matter is, which is not stated here (yet) – nobody on either side of the fence has kept the whole law – whether an aboriginal living by conscience or a Jew living by the Law written in stone. Therefore, all are condemned – which is the argument Paul has already and will ultimately make for us and it is the reality of every human being prior to the deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. and resurrection of Christ – all – ALL were under condemnation, which is why all went to hell (or a place separated from the living God) Abraham, Isaac, Jacob – all.

So, again, how will the Gentile (in that day) be punished or what would be the justification for her or his punishment? It would not be by the law written in stone (that was only given to Jews) but it would be according to their disobedience to the law written on their own individual hearts. They will only be condemned according to the knowledge and the law which they actually possessed.

Accountability Before God

Based on this alone, it seems that the Gentiles (in that day) would be held less accountable before God than those who had received the revealed will of God through the Law of Moses. Remember, today, there is no Law written in stone – it was nailed to the cross, there is no difference between Jew or Gentile, bond or free, male or female in Christ. So, this discussion is still speaking of people pre-Christ (for the most part).

But the onus of responsibility would weigh heavy on the Jews and this is why Jesus would say things like this to the Jews when he walked the earth about a Jewish community that rejected him:

“Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” (Matthew 10:15)

The Sin in the Law

But then Paul speaks to those who “have sinned in the law,” or the Jews who had sinned even though they possessed and knew the revealed will of God and were endowed with greater light and privileges than the heathen world. And how does Paul say that they would be judged? “By the law they were materially given.”

They had the light, the voice and direction of God, and His rules and ways at hand; he was additionally to them a cloud by day and a pillar by night – and yet they STILL disobeyed Him in the face of that DIRECT instruction. In this Paul will ultimately show that there was a need for a better way – as conscience and evidences in Nature were enough to convict Gentiles and the Law of Moses was enough to convict Jews, and neither of them were enough to save anyone. And the living God is all about saving, and fixing, and not condemning.

Notice that Paul writes that the Gentiles will “perish” but that the Jews will be judged. Why the difference? I’m not really sure. But how about a wee-bit of conjecture: Paul is battling centuries of tradition here with the Jews – and no tradition with the Gentiles. As a means to reach the Jews (for the gentiles, not being under law, were either going to hear and believe or not) he used a word that was softer (judged) but which really implies the same thing as perish – for if they are judged by God according to the law, they will be found guilty, for, remember, they are inexcusable before God because none kept the Law perfectly.

These things are subtle, but they are present and therefore have purpose though not always apparent. At this point Paul enters into a fairly long parenthetical reference.

I want you all to read along with me WITHOUT the parenthetical reference so as to see the continuity of his writing.

Ready?

12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (now jump down to verse 16) 13 (For

Justification and the Law

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;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

This view helps us understand his point – this is the way that God would judge the secrets of men (meaning their sins) by Jesus Christ, Paul adds, according to my Gospel (meaning, according to the Gospel given him to share).

The Promised Day of Judgment

Again, we note the use of the words, “in the day when God shall judge”– that it was a promised and prophesied day, and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Good News, was offered as promised, and in the face of that Good News all people (first the Jew and then the Gentiles in and around the epicenter of the faith – Jerusalem) would be judged at the wrapping up of that Age in that promised anticipated day.

But let’s cover the contents of his thoughts contained in the parenthesis.

Paul had just said that the gentiles will perish without the law and that the Jews will be judged by the law, and he felt it necessary to clarify this point with a side bar comment located between parentheses. And so, the first things he says is

Hearers Versus Doers

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

It seems to me that Paul is offering a pre-emptive strike against what some Jews might say – that they had the law, that they reverenced it – reading and memorizing it, and they might even have professed a willingness to yield themselves to it. But Paul is going to later teach us that there is no mercy for hearing, reading, memorizing the law.

That equates to being hearers of the word only. But there is also the notion that even yielding oneself to ninety and nine percent of the law is ineffective. Either you obey it, or you fail to obey it. You are either a doer or the law or you are not. If the Jews then, are found to be just “hearers” of the word it would not be enough, there would be no justification for them before Holy God!

The only justification for them would be if they were TRULY doers of the law (remembering that the phrase “THE LAW” is totalistic, not just sort of obeying here or there) and then they would be justified. James 2:10 says:

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

And Galatians 3:10, which says

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”

Paul goes on in his parenthetical thought, adding in verse 14:

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:

Paul had just written a general principle, “that it is the doers of the law that will only be justified, if justification is attempted by the law.” And here in verse 14 he brings the Gentiles in and says, “And those gentiles, when they are without the Law (written in stone) do the things that are by nature contained in the (written) law . . . in other words, ”obey those things contained in the Law – Thou shalt not do this, thou shalt not do that . . .” then they (who don’t have the law) “are a law unto themselves, meaning, they are judged by the law within themselves which either condemns them or approves their existences.”

This is a fantastic verse to show those people out there who say things like:

“I’ve lived a good life. I’ve never stole, nor killed, nor hated anybody. I’ve never even gotten a ticket. If this isn’t good enough for God, I don’t know what is.”

Understanding the Need for Redemption

"For when the Gentiles do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves." This statement calls into focus the internal moral compass that guides those who haven't been exposed to formal religious commandments. When asked about the meaning of this teaching, it becomes clear: God recognizes the life choices one makes and understands when one obeys the unwritten laws of the heart, much like the Jews had their commandments. If an individual remains true to this inner morality, they are seen as obedient in God's eyes.

Imagine congratulating someone for living perfectly within the moral boundaries of their conscience—a life devoid of lies, taking advantage of others, or any intentional wrongdoing—akin to being a "self-contained law unto yourself." It's a rare acceptance of one's own untainted moral living.

Paul's Insight on Human Conscience

"Did I describe you correctly?" This question may lead to the admittance of occasional failure to follow the heart's law, highlighting the need for forgiveness to attain justification before a Holy God. This is when the concept of Jesus is introduced.

Paul elaborates on three ways in which Gentiles might recognize their flawed nature. He refers to them as:

1. The work of the law written in their hearts.
2. Their conscience also bearing witness.
3. Their thoughts accusing or excusing one another.

This powerful verse outlines how individuals without the formal law perceive their guilt. Let's delve into these points.

The Heart's Law and the Conscience

Paul's writing in question suggests that "the work of the law written on their hearts" will inevitably highlight their sinful nature. An innate law of kindness, for instance, when broken, is a revelation of sin. Paul suggests that the conscience serves as another witness to these transgressions, distinct from the law inscribed in their hearts. The law represents the rules of right and wrong, while the conscience acts as a reminder of these breached moral codes.

A book, "Return to Modesty" by Wendy Shelton, which society often overlooks, explores the inner moral conflict experienced by women after engaging in sexual relations for the first time. Despite the lack of parental or religious instruction on its impropriety, many reported feelings of guilt or loss. This inner recognition of wrongdoing underscores Paul's point about the internal moral compass.

Human Conscience and Judgment

Paul discusses the unique human ability to recognize actions that oppose God's will. He asserts that people possess a God-given capacity to understand this discord. Paul then states, “And their thoughts meanwhile, accusing and excusing each other.” The term "thoughts" (logismos) refers to the human ability to reason, form opinions, and have sentiments.

The Human Capacity to Reflect

The concept of "logismos" encompasses the human ability to reflect, which distinguishes humans from animals. Animals may have consciousness, but they lack a conscience that ruminates over decisions. While animals might have extreme instincts, humans are equipped with laws, a conscience, and the capacity to reason and reflect. These elements condemn individuals when they choose darkness over light or self over God.

As Paul notes, "accusing and excusing each other." Humans, even without the written law, navigate internal exercises of choosing good or evil, battling conscience, and processing guilt. They can determine right from wrong and apply rules or laws to accuse and excuse each other within the human community. This capability highlights the corrupt nature of humanity, as they are creators of laws, despite breaking them.

We innately understand good and bad, feel relative emotions based on our responses, and can reason with others about guilt or innocence. Paul's articulation of these concepts is remarkable.

God's Judgment

Paul returns to verse 12 before discussing verse 16:
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Verse 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

During this judgment, God will evaluate both Jews by their law and heathens by the law they had. Paul emphasizes, “When God shall judge.” Scripture supports this, stating God judges mankind (Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 1:4; 1st Samuel 2:10; Ecclesiastes 3:17; Romans 3:6; Hebrews 13:4). Yet, it is also noted, “The Father will judge all things however by the Son” (Acts 17:31; 2nd Timothy 4:1; 1st Peter 4:5; John 5:22,27; 1st Thessalonians 4:16-18; Matthew 25:31-46).

Today, because of the book of RevelationA symbolic prophecy fulfilled in 70 A.D.—not a prediction of future global events., it's believed that the Lord God Almighty sits on the throne, represented in the glorified body of the Resurrected Christ, judging all things. Paul describes God judging “The secrets of men.” This includes hidden desires, secret lusts, unspoken passions, and motivations, as well as heart thoughts and life actions. Such judgment was characteristic of that day of judgment, ensuring fairness for all. Only God, through Christ, can impartially assess the human heart. Paul concludes, “According to my Gospel,” meaning the gospel he preaches or the one assigned to him.

Next week, Paul addresses the Jews specifically.

Jews and the Law

Beginning in verse 17, and shifting his attention from the Gentiles, begins in verse 17 by saying:

“Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God . . .”

We will get to that then.

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