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I have puzzled for years over Paul's use of the phrase "under the law". He seems to use the phrase in more than one way. The meaning changes with the context. Maybe a few folks here can give more clarity. Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” It would seem that believers are "not under" the law that decrees death for every sin. Galatians 5:18 “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” We know that Yeshua was "born under the law" ( ). Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” It would appear that "sons" are "not under the law". Why would Yeshua be born under the law of "You sin - you die"? He was lead by the Spirit. Unless - "the law" is used only to refer to the "first covenant" law, or maybe even to the additional Pharisaic laws. Or maybe Paul is saying that Yeshua was born, just like us, with mortal human nature - and IF He had sinned, then He would have died eternally. (I know, some say He could not have sinned. But this text suggests otherwise, if indeed "under the law" means under "the law of sin and death". In the end, He was "made to be sin" for us. The Father had to rescue Him from the death that resulted. Romans 7:22-23 “In my inmost self I dearly love God's law, but I see that acting on my body there is a different law which battles against the law in my mind. So I am brought to be a prisoner of that law of sin which lives inside my body.” (NJB) TWO different laws in this passage. 1. God's law (which seems to be in Paul's mind) and 2. the law of sin (which "lives inside" Paul's "body"). I think #2 is the one we are set free from - in Christ. #1 is "the law of the Spirit of life" Romans 3:19 “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God.” (NAU) Sounds like "all the world" is "under the Law" EXCEPT born again believers. They are led by the Spirit" and are therefore "not under the law" - but what law? What law are believers "not under" and how does that guide their behaviors? eg resting on the Sabbath, eating "clean" foods, widows marrying their brother-in-laws, separating women during their menses to different lodgings, etc. etc. But those "without the law" will not be held to the same standard with those who are "under the law". Romans 2:12 “For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law.” Gentiles who did not know the Law of Sinai would still perish, because of Adam’s sin which brought all mankind under the dominion of Satan, but they would not be “judged by the law” (of Sinai). They would not be held to that higher standard. But Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would have no sin." Wasn't the continual evening/morning sacrifice for "sins of ignorance". That would mean the blood of Jesus covers all sins committed in ignorance, until such time that the person becomes aware that he has sinned against GOD. OK. Anyone have some insights on this ? I figured that Hebrew Roots folks would be the ones to ask.