Galatians 3:25

[alon]

Someone asked me for my take on Galatians 3:25. Since this is a passage Meshiachim are asked about all the time, I thought I'd share my response to him here:

Yes, that is a tough one; for Messianics true, but also for translators and even more so for theologians who, along with priests and pastors never seem to get it right. I'll transcribe this from my interlinear. Remember I said the interlinear versions are about as close to a literal translation a we have:

23 before the But coming of faith under the law we were guarded having been locked up to the being about faith to be revealed
24 So as the law a trainer of us has become (until) Christ that
by faith we might be justified .
25 having become But faith no more under a trainer we are.

When we look at this without the antinomian slant of almost every translation out there we get a little better feel for what Paul is saying. The law points us towards the Messiah, Jesus. But until He came the law was imperfect. They knew a Messiah was coming, but not who that might be. We have seen the Messiah, the law revealed and perfected.

And if they (and we) through the Gospels have seen the Messiah, the law perfected, then we saw a  observant Jew keeping every letter of the law which applied to Him perfectly. And He did this even after His resurrection. So if He is your perfect example, I would submit to you that to disregard the law and teach others to do so is akin to (though possibly not quite) blasphemy:

Matthew 5:19 (ESV) Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

I take great heart in this verse, because most of my relatives and friends are Christians. It indicates to me they will make it into the next world, though they will suffer great loss.


I also want to give you Stern's take on this passage as a possible alternative. Not because I agree with him but, because this is such a difficult passage I have to admit the possibility he is correct. The only one I cannot say is correct is that of the church fathers, and that only because I've read the rest of the Bible which it contradicts.

Galatians 3:23-25 (CJB) Now before the time for this trusting faithfulness came, we were imprisoned in subjection to the system which results from perverting the  into legalism, kept under guard until this yet-to-come trusting faithfulness would be revealed. Accordingly, the  functioned as a custodian until the Messiah came, so that we might be declared righteous on the ground of trusting and being faithful. But now that the time for this trusting faithfulness has come, we are no longer under a custodian.

Stern's translation here is based on the fact that there was no term in either Hebrew or Greek of the time for "legalism," the belief that one had to submit to every letter of the law in order to be saved. We are often accused of this, by the way. But those who say that are outright liars and moral cowards, and I relish destroying them in person or in writing. My conversations with them tend to be not nearly so polite. But I digress.

At any rate, because Paul had no word for this doctrine which was surfacing in these early years of the Nazarene faith, he was left only with the term "law." This is why so many of his writings on the topic may seem to be so convoluted. I obviously don't think it is the case in this passage, but it must be considered. 

Dan C

[Elizabeth]

Another thing that comes to mind is that Paul was coming from a strict traditional Jewish background that sought after man-made traditions and understanding. We can't understand what he really feels when he speaks of freedom and bondage to "law" because our lives in Yeshua are defined by His Spirit through His grace. Yeshua is our teacher. He convicts us and teaches us in gentleness and grace. Meanwhile, He calls us to prepare ourselves to die for sinners as He did. He is literally shaping us into His righteousness. People who die for the sake of hope and the good of others because that's how much we love and trust G-d. Torah shows us righteousness, Yeshua is our righteousness, then He teaches us how to live righteous through His Spirit. I dont think sincere-hearted Christians generally are as inconsistent with Torah as we think. When people asked Yeshua about a certificate of divorce, He pointed them back to G-d's uncorrupted plan for marriage, that two people He put together are made One. I think many Christians are doing better than I give them credit for when I think of life initially in the garden as their hearts truly love and they seek after G-d. I know there's confusion and disturbing paganistic rituals, but G-d knows the heart and there are many good fruits in spite of this confusion. I don't know, I just wonder if we are as far apart as I used to think we were sometimes. I just get really frustrated because I want Jewish people to have to see Yeshua as theirs.

We are waiting for the Kingdom when it all comes together, but for now in Spirit and sanctification we pursue righteousness, which I believe is the point of Torah. The freedom is in Yeshua, not in the absence of Torah. We have the freedom of complete forgiveness, atonement, and a promise to be made into Yeshua's image and righteousness if we submit to it. We are guaranteed to be ready for His Torah observant Kingdom. Meanwhile, He is bringing us back to the beginning as being's created in G-d's image through His righteousness that brings us into the presence of G-d. Born again and made a New Creation ready for the perfection we otherwise would be consumed by. We are literally participating in the New Creation when we submit our lives to Yeshua in sincerity and truth because we prepare His way. What a blessing!

Yeshua NEVER stops giving. It goes on and on, our salvation is continuous. I used to think of it as kind of a one time thing. I am saved, and have that guarantee.  However, when I look closer, salvation is played out in my life daily. He is constantly working with me to overcome sin and the circumstances of my life. He gives us a new beginning, but this time with a guarantee. His Spirit is within us to teach us, to strengthen us, to suffer with us, and a promise to overcome we can depend on because it comes from Him. We are responsible for nothing except submitting to and glorifying Him. That is the freedom from the bondage of the law. This time we are guaranteed not only success in doing G-d's will, but that Almighty G-d will accomplish it for us. I can't really understand what Paul must have felt to experience the difference between his life before being empowered by Yeshua to having Yeshua's strength and grace; that closeness to G-d was what his religion was about and now it's just a simple truth and continuous guarantee. It's all done, just a matter of waiting and submitting to the preparation. I don't know exactly why I pursue Torah. It did kind of flow naturally from just seeking after G-d as it's the word of G-d so just makes sense. I also have more faith in G-d's word than man's , I want Yeshua with His people,  and I worry about Israel being separated from G-d. It just became my way of reminding G-d about His people and trying to kind of be a comfort to Him. It kind of seemed like the next obvious step; to do what G-d says. When I consider that Yeshua died for me, it gives me a more intentional approach to taking my life as seriously as He does and telling Him that I see Who He Is and He is beautiful.

[alon]

Jan 19, 2018 18:40:27 GMT -8 Elizabeth said:

Another thing that comes to mind is that Paul was coming from a strict traditional Jewish background that sought after man-made traditions and understanding. We can't understand what he really feels when he speaks of freedom and bondage to "law" because our lives in Yeshua are defined by His Spirit through His grace. ... shows us righteousness, Yeshua is our righteousness, then He teaches us how to live righteous through His Spirit. I dont think sincere-hearted Christians generally are as inconsistent with as we think.

Are you saying that we are under grace, not law?

... I think many Christians are doing better than I give them credit for when I think of life initially in the garden as their hearts truly love and they seek after G-d. I know there's confusion and disturbing paganistic rituals, but G-d knows the heart and there are many good fruits in spite of this confusion. I don't know, I just wonder if we are as far apart as I used to think we were sometimes. I just get really frustrated because I want Jewish people to have to see Yeshua as theirs.

It is frustrating to see both Christians and Jews reject the truth. As to the salvation of both, I'll refer you to my reply to you on the thread on par'shah Bo.

... We are responsible for nothing except submitting to and glorifying Him. That is the freedom from the bondage of the law.

That is Christian doctrine. The only bondage of is when we break it. Then we are in bondage to sin, under the curse of the law and subject to the death penalty. Yeshua paid that penalty not so we could ignore His but so if we keep it to the best of our ability then we won't have to pay that penalty. And the first part of that is to accept the Messiah, Yeshua. Place our trust in Him as God and repent of our sins. To turn away from sin and back to Godly behavior. And what is sin:

1 John 3:4-6 (KJV) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

The law is . So if you are willfully violating you do not know the Messiah.

Now you and I are in a circumstance where we cannot keep perfectly. You more than me. So where you cannot keep it is not sin to you. However this I know creates a war within us. It is tough enough coming into observance without this constant struggle in the home. We are always worrying if we are doing right- should or could I have done this; it'll drive us crazy if we let it. But that's where grace comes in. We do the best we can, always trying to improve, and rest in God's grace that He understands and forgives. Try to remember to ask forgiveness where we know or suspect we might have violated , and know that there is forgiveness.

This time we are guaranteed not only success in doing G-d's will, but that Almighty G-d will accomplish it for us.

Not all of it. We still must do our part.

I can't really understand what Paul must have felt to experience the difference between his life before being empowered by Yeshua to having Yeshua's strength and grace; that closeness to G-d was what his religion was about and now it's just a simple truth and continuous guarantee. It's all done, just a matter of waiting and submitting to the preparation.

Other than now having that connection to Yeshua, I imagine Paul felt the same. He was a observant Jew until his death. And it wasn't all "done, just a matter of waiting and submitting:"

Romans 7:14-24 (NASB) 14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin [lit under sin]. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then the principle [lit law] that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in  the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24a 


So Paul still had the same struggles as we do. But note verse 22 "For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man."  So Paul still loved .

I don't know exactly why I pursue . It did kind of flow naturally from just seeking after G-d as it's the word of G-d so just makes sense. I also have more faith in G-d's word than man's , I want Yeshua with His people, and I worry about Israel being separated from G-d. It just became my way of reminding G-d about His people and trying to kind of be a comfort to Him. It kind of seemed like the next obvious step; to do what G-d says. When I consider that Yeshua died for me, it gives me a more intentional approach to taking my life as seriously as He does and telling Him that I see Who He Is and He is beautiful.

And that is the guarantee of your salvation. Your trust in Yeshua and your continued commitment to keeping His .

Rabbi said something interesting last night at the Erev Shabbat service, "I don't think of it as breaking the law any more, but of breaking God's heart." What do you think God feels when He looks down on you doing the best you can under very difficult circumstances? I think He is pleased and proud. So find your place, what you can do, ten seek to improve on it where you can. Don't worry where you can't. And don't fall back on Christian misunderstandings to help make it more comfortable. That's what the enemy wants is to suck you back into that false system of belief. Just rest in His grace. That's what Paul did in verses 24b & 25a "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death [lit this body of death]? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

 "Wretched man that I am!" Pual felt just as we do in his new role. But he looked just as you and I do to Yeshua and rested in His grace to be forgiven. Forgiven not for keeping as we are accused by Christians of sinning when we do, but of breaking ; breaking the heart of God.

Dan C

[Elizabeth]

But if they have the faith and strength of the Spirit to give up their lives and be persecuted for the sake of Yeshua, there is more to them than I feel I have given them credit for. I don't know, I just think we may be underestimating Yeshua on behalf of some Christians who are truly doing the best they can with what G-d has given them to do and know as well. I just can't get away from the fact that they are suffering and dying for His name on His behalf.    

I also said it as accomplished in the context that Yeshua accomplished all we need to as in Psalm 22. He has already done His part, and all I can do is depend on Him to help me with mine. We are waiting, but it's been promised and guaranteed.

Yeshua brought me to Torah and a love for Israel, but I don't feel I can judge the believers I have described here as somehow not doing their part simply because He brought me here. I don't know what's between Him and them, but based on their example, it must be something more than I have given them credit for. There are Christians who are living out His example of life and self-sacrifice on a level I can only pray to be able to if I have to. Is that not loving G-d with all your heart, soul, and might and loving your neighbor (who are in many cases your enemies) as yourself? I don't see how I can just disregard that. I feel like maybe we are underestimating them and Yeshua's Spirit in them.

In terms of Paul, I was thinking how Yeshua changes everyone He touches in combination with his Torah-Observance after having been empowered by Yeshua's Spirit. He went from keeping the law on His own to being filled with the Spirit and the peace of knowing Yeshua is enthroned the Son of G-d, and the Son of David. It's done as in the Son of David is crowned on an eternal throne and we are reconciled to G-d.That fulfillment of prophecy and anticipation had to have a profound freeing effect on him as a Torah- observant man who went from awaiting the Messish to meeting Him, knowing Him, and walking with Him intimately; the freedom of it being accomplished. I know we differ with Christians on what that means, but Yeshua did fulfill Torah and we have grace instead of judgment through His accomplishment. We keep it because we love Him, but it seems there are people we are dismissing who love Him enough to die from Him so I wonder if His Spirit is accomplishing more in them than I can know or assume. 

I don't know, but we do see people who call themselves Christians dying and being persecuted for the sake of Yeshua in various parts of the world. I have a hard time writing them off. It seems something true and good must be going on in their spiritual life as they are setting His example of love and obedience to the point of self-sacrifice. 


I dont know. It's one thing when you know the truth and deny it. It seems it's another thing to simply be in confusion as we have all been. Just months ago I was in a whole nother kind of confusion with satan leading me to believe during a satanic attack that somehow all Jewish people are saved even if it's a flippant acknowledgement of Yeshua at the point of death. I share this because it makes me upset that we may buy into falsity that not only hurts Jewish people specifically, but denies Yeshua. That is a lie from the pit of hell, that Jewish people don't need Yeshua. What was all that He said to the Sadducees and Pharisees then?  How about, Matthew 8:11? Am I wrong in thinking that the many from east and west are Gentile believers and that the "sons of the Kingdom"are Jews - maybe that's a left over of my Christian learning? Regardless, satan fears the day Israel calls on Yeshua and he is actively working to keep them separated because of it. Meanwhile, he can watch us set by unconcerned for their individual eternal salvation having faith in a lie while demeaning the cause and sacrifice of Yeshua while we're at it. Jewish people deserve to hear the truth just like everyone else and satan targets them in a way he doesn't other people because unlike many of us, he believes G-d's plan. "Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the L-RD". We need to see satan for who he is and what he does because this doctrine is as anti-Semitic as many Christian ones in my opinion as it Is targeting Jewish people's salvation specifically.

Anyway, I got off on a tangent but that doctrine scares me. I was also saved before I pursued Torah. Yeshua has given me grace upon grace even when I followed Christian ways and was in unrepentant sin. I now know my loss, but I always knew G-d was a part of my life. As a child, I can't remember ever being without Him.  Knowing that, and how much confusion I went through, how can I assume someone else isn't? 

[alon]

Jan 20, 2018 13:25:53 GMT -8 Elizabeth said:

But if they have the faith and strength of the Spirit to give up their lives and be persecuted for the sake of Yeshua, there is more to them than I feel I have given them credit for. I don't know, I just think we may be underestimating Yeshua on behalf of some Christians who are truly doing the best they can with what G-d has given them to do and know as well. I just can't get away from the fact that they are suffering and dying for His name on His behalf. ... I don't know, but we do see people who call themselves Christians dying and being persecuted for the sake of Yeshua in various parts of the world. I have a hard time writing them off. It seems something true and good must be going on in their spiritual life as they are setting His example of love and obedience to the point of self-sacrifice.

Many Christians today are facing conversion to Islam or death, and they chose an often horrible death over denying God. And many more Jews have faced this choice from Christians and Muslims and chose death. I know some became "secret Jews." However not all were. There are many stories out of the Shoah of Jews choosing to die rather than denounce God. Not all Christians or Jews have this kind of faith. But those who do certainly show the fruits of the Spirit. And many more show different fruits; giving, knowledge, etc. I've said many times here I know Christians who show far more the fruits of the Spirit than me; especially in kindness and patience and giving. So I cannot say they are going to Hell because they are not MJ. I will say as I have many times, the farther you are from the more danger you are in of missing the mark.

Many Jews don't keep , and many place writings of men (Talmud, Kaballah, etc) over the Word of HaShem. They are far from God's instructions; His . But if you want to see some people with the fruits of the Spirit, look into Judaism. They are the most giving people in the world. And helpful )if you don't tell them you are MJ ). Both worship the God of Avraham. So will anyone of them make it? Again, I don't know.

I also said it as accomplished in the context that Yeshua accomplished all we need to as in Psalm 22. He has already done His part, and all I can do is depend on Him to help me with mine. We are waiting, but it's been promised and guaranteed.

Yes, Yeshua did the defining work for us. But there is much more we have to do- not for the initial gift of salvation, but to grow closer to HaShem.

Yeshua brought me to and a love for Israel, but I don't feel I can judge the believers I have described here as somehow not doing their part simply because He brought me here. I don't know what's between Him and them, but based on their example, it must be something more than I have given them credit for. There are Christians who are living out His example of life and self-sacrifice on a level I can only pray to be able to if I have to. Is that not loving G-d with all your heart, soul, and might and loving your neighbor (who are in many cases your enemies) as yourself? I don't see how I can just disregard that. I feel like maybe we are underestimating them and Yeshua's Spirit in them.

I, like many others went through stages when I came into the truth (MJ). First it was like "WOW!" Then there was incredulityat how much I knew was wrong. After that though I and many others got/get angry with Christians for not seeing this and pastors and teachers for lying to us. Then we begin to look at them and we're sorry they are still in deception. Then we wonder if maybe there is more there than we are giving them credit for. That's where you and I are at now as well- who knows about later? Yes, I believe some Christians may be saved, maybe even be as we will. I also believe that some Jews who are doing the best they can with what they have may be saved. But most sadly will not be in either camp.

I remember listening to evangelists speaking with m father, and almost to a man they at some point said that after meeting the people and talking to the pastors over half the peole filling those pews every Sunday were not saved. And many pastors also said this, my father included. That's over half the Christians in evangelical churches that are not saved (never mind churches so far from the truth almost everyone there was surely unsaved). And this by their own count! How many more might we conclude are not saved based on what we believe? All I can say is that anyone who stays with Messianism for any time is and will be saved. We have to have Yeshua on our side or we will fall away, back into a Christian faith we know is flawed or into a totally worldly state in which we have no hope. We are the few who make it through the narrow gate.  

In terms of Paul, I was thinking how Yeshua changes everyone He touches in combination with his -Observance after having been empowered by Yeshua's Spirit. He went from keeping the law on His own to being filled with the Spirit and the peace of knowing Yeshua is enthroned the Son of G-d, and the Son of David. It's done as in the Son of David is crowned on an eternal throne and we are reconciled to G-d.That fulfillment of prophecy and anticipation had to have a profound freeing effect on him as a - observant man who went from awaiting the Messish to meeting Him, knowing Him, and walking with Him intimately; the freedom of it being accomplished. I know we differ with Christians on what that means, but Yeshua did fulfill and we have grace instead of judgment through His accomplishment. We keep it because we love Him, but it seems there are people we are dismissing who love Him enough to die from Him so I wonder if His Spirit is accomplishing more in them than I can know or assume.

Coming to Yeshua does change everyone. But other than being ambushed and blinded our experience and Paul's were probably similar. However when we began to understand and that it was not abolished we began the struggle of learning and keeping it. Things Paul and other Jews then and now know and take for granted we are having to come to grips with for the first time. Paul just had to change his focus, that now being The Christ he had been persecuting. Understand that while there were many sects of Judaism at the time (about 30 according to some scholars. The Pharisees and Sadducees were by far the largest and most powerful. It was not unusual for these sects to persecute other sects they thought were heretical. So what Rav Sh'ul was doing was wholly acceptable in the Judaism of the time. Yeshua met him on the road to Damascus and changed his focus to Himself. He took a man blessed with dedication and zeal and gave him a new direction. The Rav was also given an extra dose of the Ruach because a) he would write most of the B'rith Chadashah (though we all wish he had been gifted with clarity as well). And b) he'd need that for the trials he would face.  

... It's one thing when you know the truth and deny it. It seems it's another thing to simply be in confusion as we have all been.

If you know the truth and deny it, you are in rebellion; and that is the same as witchcraft. Confusion is normal. What we have to watch is that it doesn't become the norm, so we don't try to escape it and learn; or worse we come to depend on it as an excuse. Confusion is not an excuse, it is a reason. But only so long as it doesn't become a permanent state.

Just months ago I was in a whole nother kind of confusion with satan leading me to believe during a satanic attack that somehow all Jewish people are saved even if it's a flippant acknowledgement of Yeshua at the point of death. I share this because it makes me upset that we may buy into falsity that not only hurts Jewish people specifically, but denies Yeshua. That is a lie from the pit of hell, that Jewish people don't need Yeshua. What was all that He said to the Sadducees and Pharisees then? How about, Matthew 8:11? Am I wrong in thinking that the many from east and west are Gentile believers and that the "sons of the Kingdom"are Jews - maybe that's a left over of my Christian learning? Regardless, satan fears the day Israel calls on Yeshua and he is actively working to keep them separated because of it. Meanwhile, he can watch us set by unconcerned for their individual eternal salvation having faith in a lie while demeaning the cause and sacrifice of Yeshua while we're at it. Jewish people deserve to hear the truth just like everyone else and satan targets them in a way he doesn't other people because unlike many of us, he believes G-d's plan. "Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the L-RD". We need to see satan for who he is and what he does because this doctrine is as anti-Semitic as many Christian ones in my opinion as it Is targeting Jewish people's salvation specifically.

Mat 8:10 speaks of the faith of the Centurian, and vs 11 speaks of those from east and west, who I would say are the Gentiles, yes. And vs 12 speaks of the sons of the kingdom, who I too think are Jews. This is a comparison of the fates of some Gentiles and some Jews based on their faith and trust. However all Jews will not be destroyed any more than all Gentiles will be there to recline with Him. But as a rule before they can trust Yeshua completely both must understand who He is and what He says. Those in either group who can do this are rare. I have no idea who is saved and who isn't. I just know I am responsible to tell the truth to the ones He places in front of me.

Anyway, I got off on a tangent but that doctrine scares me. I was also saved before I pursued . Yeshua has given me grace upon grace even when I followed Christian ways and was in unrepentant sin. I now know my loss, but I always knew G-d was a part of my life. As a child, I can't remember ever being without Him. Knowing that, and how much confusion I went through, how can I assume someone else isn't?

The gift of salvation has nothing to do with observance. It is freely given. We observe because we understand it to be HaShem's instructions to us for holy living. We want to worship Him as He said to do it, not as the church fathers in their pagan lusts said to do it. We do it so as not to break God's heart. And we do it because it takes us into a closer relationship with our Creator. We do it because it is what God told us to do, and that for our own good.

We neither make assumptions about their salvation nor share a doctrine of works with them. We share the truth. It is up to them to accept or reject it.

Dan C