As Without Law

[Mr. M]

1 Corinthians 9:

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, 

that I might win the more; 

20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those 

who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those 

who are under the law; 

21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without 

law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might 

win those who are without law.

To understand how Paul could be without law (anomos) while also under

Law in Christ, we must consider the most basic level of lawlessness. 

Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; 

everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

While man may find ways to accommodate this mentality, it must be 

understood that this establishes a criteria for misjudgment.

Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, 

but the Lord weighs the hearts.

To comprehend what Paul is teaching, we must consider the full 

weight of his own testimony. This applies to all who would teach 

by example, and sharing their experiences. 

Firstly, the Lord has already informed us:

Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and 

by your words you will be condemned.

As we all know, in order for others to receive our testimony, our activities 

must line up with the profession of our faith.

James 2:12 So speak and so do, as those who will be judged 

by the law of liberty. 

By frequently offering testimony to Christ in him, Paul is engaging the means 

by which we overcome, and receive a good report by faith.

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and 

by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Our testimony must be to the role of faith in our life

Hebrews 11:2 For by it(faith) the elders obtained a good testimony.

By his testimony, Paul justifies his actions and his doctrine, 

as he did before Agrippa.

Acts 26:

19 Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 

20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout 

all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, 

turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

As can be clearly seen, the notion that Paul did not preach the Gospel 

of repentance or works of righteousness is a total fiction.

“For though I am free from all”

The only way that Paul could make this statement was for his words 

and actions to reflect his election in Christ. 

As long as he was walking “in obedience to his heavenly vision”, 

no one can condemn him as a lawbreaker. And yet he also reveals a standard 

that must be maintained for his testimony to be valid: 

“I have made myself a servant to all”

The self-serving nature of many public ministries in our time invalidates 

the testimony of those who claim to be “servants of the Lord”. 

Again, Paul’s testimony is consistent with this expectation.

2 Corinthians 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience

that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity,

not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

From the beginning, the relationship between ministry 

and personal wealth was in question.

2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; 

but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

The sordid history of fallen ministries and ministers traces back to the lack 

of belief in this reality, that “we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”

Failing to take heed to this simple admonition: God is watching you! 

The apostle Paul did not attain these bold proclamations based on 

his education in the Law. On the contrary, he claims:

2 Corinthians 1:9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, 

that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.

The essential nature of a Christian walk is to have no confidence 

in ourselves, our education or our lineage.

2 Corinthians 3:

4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything 

as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 

6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, 

not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Paul fully elaborates on his relationship with his education in Torah.

Philippians 3:3-9 

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus,

and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh.

If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the

eighth day, of the stock of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews;

concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning

the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me,

these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for

the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered

the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ,and be found

in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is

through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.

The more one is completely “sold out” to ministry by the Spirit, 

the more that ministry will receive the commendation of God and man.

2 Corinthians 4:

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, 

we do not lose heart. 

2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness 

nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth 

commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

More than just personally blameless by the Law, 

but blameless in the public ministry of the Gospel.

2 Corinthians 6:

3 We give no offense by anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 

4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: 

in much patience, in tribulations, in need, in distress…

We cannot commend ourselves in words, but by results!

2 Corinthians 10:18 For not he who commends himself is approved, 

but whom the Lord commends.

For this to be accomplished, the child of God must reckon themselves 

dead to the self, and alive in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:

10 Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, 

that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 

11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, 

that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 

We offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, so that He will make us 

acceptable by what He has provided in the power of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted 

according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

The manifestation of this is a man who rejects the esteem of others, 

to be justified by Christ alone.

Luke 16:15 And He said to them, You are those who justify yourselves 

before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed 

among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 

These concerns govern our actions on a daily basis.

Acts 24:16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience 

without offense toward God and men.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel,

even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 

 

Edited December 22, 2022 by Mr. M
cosmetic

[Guest]

On 12/22/2022 at 6:53 AM, Mr. M said:

1 Corinthians 9:

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, 

that I might win the more; 

20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those 

who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those 

who are under the law; 

21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without 

law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might 

win those who are without law.

To understand how Paul could be without law (anomos) while also under

Law in Christ, we must consider the most basic level of lawlessness. 

Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; 

everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

While man may find ways to accommodate this mentality, it must be 

understood that this establishes a criteria for misjudgment.

Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, 

but the Lord weighs the hearts.

To comprehend what Paul is teaching, we must consider the full 

weight of his own testimony. This applies to all who would teach 

by example, and sharing their experiences. 

Firstly, the Lord has already informed us:

Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and 

by your words you will be condemned.

As we all know, in order for others to receive our testimony, our activities 

must line up with the profession of our faith.

James 2:12 So speak and so do, as those who will be judged 

by the law of liberty. 

By frequently offering testimony to Christ in him, Paul is engaging the means 

by which we overcome, and receive a good report by faith.

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and 

by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Our testimony must be to the role of faith in our life

Hebrews 11:2 For by it(faith) the elders obtained a good testimony.

By his testimony, Paul justifies his actions and his doctrine, 

as he did before Agrippa.

Acts 26:

19 Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 

20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout 

all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, 

turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

As can be clearly seen, the notion that Paul did not preach the Gospel 

of repentance or works of righteousness is a total fiction.

“For though I am free from all”

The only way that Paul could make this statement was for his words 

and actions to reflect his election in Christ. 

As long as he was walking “in obedience to his heavenly vision”, 

no one can condemn him as a lawbreaker. And yet he also reveals a standard 

that must be maintained for his testimony to be valid: 

“I have made myself a servant to all”

The self-serving nature of many public ministries in our time invalidates 

the testimony of those who claim to be “servants of the Lord”. 

Again, Paul’s testimony is consistent with this expectation.

2 Corinthians 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience

that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity,

not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

From the beginning, the relationship between ministry 

and personal wealth was in question.

2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; 

but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

The sordid history of fallen ministries and ministers traces back to the lack 

of belief in this reality, that “we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”

Failing to take heed to this simple admonition: God is watching you! 

The apostle Paul did not attain these bold proclamations based on 

his education in the Law. On the contrary, he claims:

2 Corinthians 1:9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, 

that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.

The essential nature of a Christian walk is to have no confidence 

in ourselves, our education or our lineage.

2 Corinthians 3:

4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything 

as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 

6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, 

not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Paul fully elaborates on his relationship with his education in Torah.

Philippians 3:3-9 

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus,

and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh.

If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the

eighth day, of the stock of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews;

concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning

the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me,

these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for

the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered

the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ,and be found

in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is

through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.

The more one is completely “sold out” to ministry by the Spirit, 

the more that ministry will receive the commendation of God and man.

2 Corinthians 4:

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, 

we do not lose heart. 

2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness 

nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth 

commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

More than just personally blameless by the Law, 

but blameless in the public ministry of the Gospel.

2 Corinthians 6:

3 We give no offense by anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 

4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: 

in much patience, in tribulations, in need, in distress…

We cannot commend ourselves in words, but by results!

2 Corinthians 10:18 For not he who commends himself is approved, 

but whom the Lord commends.

For this to be accomplished, the child of God must reckon themselves 

dead to the self, and alive in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:

10 Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, 

that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 

11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, 

that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 

We offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, so that He will make us 

acceptable by what He has provided in the power of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted 

according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

The manifestation of this is a man who rejects the esteem of others, 

to be justified by Christ alone.

Luke 16:15 And He said to them, You are those who justify yourselves 

before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed 

among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 

These concerns govern our actions on a daily basis.

Acts 24:16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience 

without offense toward God and men.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel,

even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 

 

Could you find a way to express yourself in shorter posts?

[heartwashed3]

"as without law" but "under the law to Christ".

Paul subjected Himself to Christ and considered that to live by the moral virtues that are produced by the Holy Spirit is the fulfilling of the law (Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 8:4).

He no longer obeyed and taught the law of Moses as a set of do's and don'ts; instead he preached a set of moral virtues (again, Galatians 5:22-23) that exemplified the spirit of the law of Moses; because there is no law (not even the law of Moses) that will condemn a man if he bears and lives according to these virtues (the fruit of the Spirit).

Here is an interesting statement by Paul in Romans,

Rom 15:16, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Rom 15:17, I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
Rom 15:18, For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
Rom 15:19, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

The Gentiles were to be made acceptable through the sanctification of the Holy Ghost; and Paul's aim was to make them obedient by word and deed.

I think we can safely say that Paul put just enough moral virtue into his teaching that once the good leaven begins to permeate through and through, the Gentile Christian will be an obedient child of God and a law-abiding citizen of the kingdom of heaven.

As I have preached in one thread, that we are to add to our faith moral excellence according to 1 Peter 1:5 and that, for the Gentile, this does not mean that he is now called upon to be obedient to the law as a set of do's and don'ts; crossing his t's and dotting his i's...

(while it is certainly moral virtue that the law sets forth in its set of do's and don'ts)

...but the moral excellence is added to faith in that we begin to live by the fruit of the Spirit against which there is no law (again, Galatians 5:22-23).

[coheir]

On 12/22/2022 at 5:53 AM, Mr. M said:

1 Corinthians 9:

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, 

that I might win the more; 

20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those 

who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those 

who are under the law; 

21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without 

law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might 

win those who are without law.

To understand how Paul could be without law (anomos) while also under

Law in Christ, we must consider the most basic level of lawlessness. 

Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; 

everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

While man may find ways to accommodate this mentality, it must be 

understood that this establishes a criteria for misjudgment.

Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, 

but the Lord weighs the hearts.

To comprehend what Paul is teaching, we must consider the full 

weight of his own testimony. This applies to all who would teach 

by example, and sharing their experiences. 

Firstly, the Lord has already informed us:

Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and 

by your words you will be condemned.

As we all know, in order for others to receive our testimony, our activities 

must line up with the profession of our faith.

James 2:12 So speak and so do, as those who will be judged 

by the law of liberty. 

By frequently offering testimony to Christ in him, Paul is engaging the means 

by which we overcome, and receive a good report by faith.

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and 

by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Our testimony must be to the role of faith in our life

Hebrews 11:2 For by it(faith) the elders obtained a good testimony.

By his testimony, Paul justifies his actions and his doctrine, 

as he did before Agrippa.

Acts 26:

19 Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 

20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout 

all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, 

turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

As can be clearly seen, the notion that Paul did not preach the Gospel 

of repentance or works of righteousness is a total fiction.

“For though I am free from all”

The only way that Paul could make this statement was for his words 

and actions to reflect his election in Christ. 

As long as he was walking “in obedience to his heavenly vision”, 

no one can condemn him as a lawbreaker. And yet he also reveals a standard 

that must be maintained for his testimony to be valid: 

“I have made myself a servant to all”

The self-serving nature of many public ministries in our time invalidates 

the testimony of those who claim to be “servants of the Lord”. 

Again, Paul’s testimony is consistent with this expectation.

2 Corinthians 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience

that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity,

not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

From the beginning, the relationship between ministry 

and personal wealth was in question.

2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; 

but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

The sordid history of fallen ministries and ministers traces back to the lack 

of belief in this reality, that “we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”

Failing to take heed to this simple admonition: God is watching you! 

The apostle Paul did not attain these bold proclamations based on 

his education in the Law. On the contrary, he claims:

2 Corinthians 1:9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, 

that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.

The essential nature of a Christian walk is to have no confidence 

in ourselves, our education or our lineage.

2 Corinthians 3:

4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything 

as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 

6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, 

not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Paul fully elaborates on his relationship with his education in Torah.

Philippians 3:3-9 

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus,

and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh.

If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the

eighth day, of the stock of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews;

concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning

the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me,

these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for

the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered

the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ,and be found

in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is

through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.

The more one is completely “sold out” to ministry by the Spirit, 

the more that ministry will receive the commendation of God and man.

2 Corinthians 4:

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, 

we do not lose heart. 

2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness 

nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth 

commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

More than just personally blameless by the Law, 

but blameless in the public ministry of the Gospel.

2 Corinthians 6:

3 We give no offense by anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 

4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: 

in much patience, in tribulations, in need, in distress…

We cannot commend ourselves in words, but by results!

2 Corinthians 10:18 For not he who commends himself is approved, 

but whom the Lord commends.

For this to be accomplished, the child of God must reckon themselves 

dead to the self, and alive in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:

10 Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, 

that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 

11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, 

that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 

We offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, so that He will make us 

acceptable by what He has provided in the power of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted 

according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

The manifestation of this is a man who rejects the esteem of others, 

to be justified by Christ alone.

Luke 16:15 And He said to them, You are those who justify yourselves 

before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed 

among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 

These concerns govern our actions on a daily basis.

Acts 24:16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience 

without offense toward God and men.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel,

even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 

 

without law or without the law equals the New Covenant. I find many are stuck between the law (old covenant) and the New Covenant at least the Churches I visited online and in person.

[Mr. M]

9 hours ago, coheir said:

without law or without the law equals the New Covenant. I find many are stuck between the law (old covenant) and the New Covenant at least the Churches I visited online and in person.

This is what Paul addresses in the parenthetical note in verse 21. The thread is more about verse 19. 

On 12/22/2022 at 4:53 AM, Mr. M said:

1 Corinthians 9:

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, 

that I might win the more; 

20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those 

who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those 

who are under the law; 

21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without 

law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might 

win those who are without law.

To understand how Paul could be without law (anomos) while also under

Law in Christ, we must consider the most basic level of lawlessness. 

Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; 

everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

While man may find ways to accommodate this mentality, it must be 

understood that this establishes a criteria for misjudgment.

Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, 

but the Lord weighs the hearts.

 

[Mr. M]

On 12/29/2022 at 1:06 AM, Saved.One.by.Grace said:

Could you find a way to express yourself in shorter posts?

The number of scriptures, mostly statements made by Paul, are included to show the consistency 

of his message, as well as fully support the brief statements made in the OP. All the responses, and

reactions, indicate is a lack of interest in having to read 21 quotes from the Bible. That to me is a sad

testimony, especially as important as Paul's theology is, and oft contested from the time he began

teaching, and preaching until today. 

On 12/22/2022 at 4:53 AM, Mr. M said:

To understand how Paul could be without law (anomos) while also under

Law in Christ, we must consider the most basic level of lawlessness. 

Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; 

everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

While man may find ways to accommodate this mentality, it must be 

understood that this establishes a criteria for misjudgment.

Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, 

but the Lord weighs the hearts.

Here is some old testament verses to show consistency from Torah to Paul.

[Mr. M]

On 12/29/2022 at 1:06 AM, Saved.One.by.Grace said:

Could you find a way to express yourself in shorter posts?

This is the heart of the lesson, please read carefully, since you all seemed to need a breakdown of the lesson.

On 12/22/2022 at 4:53 AM, Mr. M said:

“For though I am free from all”

The only way that Paul could make this statement was for his words 

and actions to reflect his election in Christ. 

As long as he was walking “in obedience to his heavenly vision”, 

no one can condemn him as a lawbreaker. And yet he also reveals a standard 

that must be maintained for his testimony to be valid: 

“I have made myself a servant to all”

The self-serving nature of many public ministries in our time invalidates 

the testimony of those who claim to be “servants of the Lord”. 

Again, Paul’s testimony is consistent with this expectation.

2 Corinthians 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience

that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity,

not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

 

[Mr. M]

On 12/29/2022 at 3:29 AM, Rosie1jack2pauline3 said:

Romans 13:1 ESV 

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

here is a shot at prosperity doctrines. sure could have left that one out, but it is consistent

with being a servant of all.

On 12/22/2022 at 4:53 AM, Mr. M said:

From the beginning, the relationship between ministry 

and personal wealth was in question.

2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; 

but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

The sordid history of fallen ministries and ministers traces back to the lack 

of belief in this reality, that “we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”

Failing to take heed to this simple admonition: God is watching you! 

 

[Mr. M]

On 12/29/2022 at 2:37 AM, heartwashed3 said:

"as without law" but "under the law to Christ".

Paul subjected Himself to Christ and considered that to live by the moral virtues that are produced by the Holy Spirit is the fulfilling of the law (Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 8:4).

He no longer obeyed and taught the law of Moses as a set of do's and don'ts; instead he preached a set of moral virtues (again, Galatians 5:22-23) that exemplified the spirit of the law of Moses; because there is no law (not even the law of Moses) that will condemn a man if he bears and lives according to these virtues (the fruit of the Spirit).

Here is an interesting statement by Paul in Romans,

Rom 15:16, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Rom 15:17, I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
Rom 15:18, For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
Rom 15:19, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

The Gentiles were to be made acceptable through the sanctification of the Holy Ghost; and Paul's aim was to make them obedient by word and deed.

I think we can safely say that Paul put just enough moral virtue into his teaching that once the good leaven begins to permeate through and through, the Gentile Christian will be an obedient child of God and a law-abiding citizen of the kingdom of heaven.

As I have preached in one thread, that we are to add to our faith moral excellence according to 1 Peter 1:5 and that, for the Gentile, this does not mean that he is now called upon to be obedient to the law as a set of do's and don'ts; crossing his t's and dotting his i's...

(while it is certainly moral virtue that the law sets forth in its set of do's and don'ts)

...but the moral excellence is added to faith in that we begin to live by the fruit of the Spirit against which there is no law (again, Galatians 5:22-23).

Paul's teaching clearly demonstrates the importance of our testimony.

On 12/22/2022 at 4:53 AM, Mr. M said:

To comprehend what Paul is teaching, we must consider the full 

weight of his own testimony. This applies to all who would teach 

by example, and sharing their experiences. 

Firstly, the Lord has already informed us:

Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and 

by your words you will be condemned.

As we all know, in order for others to receive our testimony, our activities 

must line up with the profession of our faith.

James 2:12 So speak and so do, as those who will be judged 

by the law of liberty. 

By frequently offering testimony to Christ in him, Paul is engaging the means 

by which we overcome, and receive a good report by faith.

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and 

by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Our testimony must be to the role of faith in our life

Hebrews 11:2 For by it(faith) the elders obtained a good testimony.

By his testimony, Paul justifies his actions and his doctrine, 

as he did before Agrippa.

Acts 26:

19 Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 

20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout 

all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, 

turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

As can be clearly seen, the notion that Paul did not preach the Gospel 

of repentance or works of righteousness is a total fiction.

 

[Mr. M]

On 12/22/2022 at 4:53 AM, Mr. M said:

Paul fully elaborates on his relationship with his education in Torah.

This is crucial, as his teaching that addresses the Torah has always been controversial.

He is not only addressing righteousness, but the role of his education in the Torah.

The educated Pharisees did not receive much approval from the Lord, and would fit

the bill as being a servant of all.

Philippians 3:3-9 

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus,

and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh.

If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the

eighth day, of the stock of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews;

concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning

the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me,

these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for

the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered

the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ,and be found

in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is

through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.