The Mosaic law itself did not originate the notion of personal obedience de novo, since it recapitulated a more fundamental creational principle of righteousness through obedience to the Creator’s covenant stipulations. Further, the Mosaic law did not introduce a new way of salvation through a covenant of works, but it did embody this principle for pedagogical and typological functions in the history of redemption. But Paul does not elaborate on these sorts of essential qualifications in Galatians 5:1-6. Rather this passage is his urgent testimony to avoid even placing one foot on the path to a righteousness based on personal law-keeping whether mixed with supposed divine grace or Christ’s mediation or not. The two are not compatible, as Paul makes abundantly clear. Read More»
S. M. Baugh | “Galatians 5:1–6 and Personal Obligation—Reflections on Paul and the Law” in The Law is Not of Faith, 279–80 | (HT: Jack Miller)
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