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Jesus Fulfills the Law
April 6, 2019

Many look to 1 John 3:4 as the definition of sin, as this verse commonly reads "Sin is the transgression of the law." Most do not consider the original Greek word and are unaware that what is translated in this verse is not the same Greek word translated for virtually every other use of "law." What is translated is the concept "transgression of the law, " and is transliterated from the Greek word anomia, being without law, and this is closely related to the Greek word anomalos, related to being fully without law. The English word anomaly is derived from this second Greek Word, and instead of saying sin is the transgression of the law, one could say simply that sin is an anomaly. Sin is an abnormal state, not intended by God, but introduced through the rebellion of Satan. As humans, we have normalized sin. It is part of our everyday life; yet is has no place in our destiny. The very phrases used by Jesus to move us beyond our current abnormal state of sin, are often twisted by those who do sin to justify their sin. Notice Matthew chapter 5.

Matthew 5:17-20
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

In the verse from Matthew, Jesus said he came to fulfill the law, and this use of the word law is like virtually every finding of the word law in the New Testament, and is based on the Greek word transliterated as nomos, or having law. He tells us our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, and that those who break the commandments and teach others to do so are the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. In these verses, different Greek words are used for fulfill and fulfilled. Fulfill is transliterated from the Greek word, pleroo. The root Ple- is also used to give us the word plethora. With knowledge of this Greek root, we have a clearer picture that Jesus came to make the law abundant rather than scarce. The Greek word used for fulfilled could have also been the same Greek word, pleroo, but it wasn't. Instead, the Greek word ginomai is used, and this could be translated as "done." Because all things are not yet done, the law is not destroyed; rather it is magnified and to be more abundant. So what does this mean for Christians?

Romans 8:1-4
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

As Christians, we are led by the spirit, not the flesh, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us. Again the Greek word pleroo is used. Through us and what we do by the Holy Spirit that leads us, the law is to be magnified and become abundant through the evidence of righteousness.

Galatians 5:1-15
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. I would they were even cut off which trouble you. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Jesus made us free of the entanglement of sin, not because He did away with the law, but because through Jesus we are given the Holy Spirit. As we live a life of the flesh and focused on earthly needs we are a debtor to the law and remain entangled with sin. As we live a life of the flesh, we we are fallen from the grace of Jesus. It is when we walk in the Spirit, that we have liberty from our earthly existence. We are not to use this liberty to satisfy the flesh, but through love to serve each other. Paul tells us the law is fulfilled, again the Greek word pleroo, by loving our neighbor as ourself. In loving our neighbor as ourself, we do not destroy the commandments nor do we teach others to do so. Instead we allow the law to magnify and become abundant within us. Through Jesus we are given liberty, liberty from the anomaly of sin.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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