1 Timothy 1:8
8 But [de] we know [eido] that [hoti] the law [nomos] is good, [kalos] if [ean] a man [tis] use [chraomai] it [autos] lawfully; [nomimos] KJV-Interlinear
8 But we
know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, NASB
The term law, has two
connotations.First it represents the
content of the Word of God, or truth as a general concept. And second, it refers specifically to the Mosaic
Law or the Levitical Priesthood.
In Pauls time, the Mosaic Law was still very much in
view and a point of contention between traditional Jews, and the new Christian
movement.
And while the Law was not
a mechanism for attaining salvation, there were many Jews who believed that
salvation could be attained by keeping the Law.
In other words, by living a good life.
This is where Judaism
departed from the Old Testament teachings.
And even though Judaism has its roots in the Old Testament scriptures,
the departure evolved over the last several centuries B.C. as the Mosaic Law
was transformed (by men) into a very complex system of works.
Islam, several
centuries later adopted this same system or rather a similar one, but not as
complicated with respect to works, and went further by rejecting the Savior
(Christ), just as Judaism did, and then Islam also rejected the notion of the
Trinity and adopted a one God, one prophet approach.
Whereas Judaism
confirmed salvation by works, Islam took a more general approach to works, and went
even further to suggest that even works may not be enough. Islam is vague in this regard, and Judaism is
complex and subject to exceptions and subject to the interpretations of Jewish
leaders.
Now, Paul is saying
that the law (both concepts) are good, if a person
approaches them correctly.
The word for good, kalos, means useful.
And in this regard, the Law is good or useful in that it provides
humanity with a standard against which he can measure or compare his own life.
For the Law can never
save, Rom 3:20, 28, Gal 2:16, 3:11, but it can demonstrate mans inability to
fulfill the law, or live by it, because man is sinful by nature, and no man can
live the perfect life.Therefore
demonstrating the need for some outside and perfect intermediary, through which
man can obtain salvation, since man cannot obtain it on his own.
Unfortunately, all
religions, all beliefs whatsoever, misuse and misapply the principles of the
Law, by presuming that it provides a guide by which a person can follow, and
therefore be a perfect person.
The purpose of the Law,
or of any system of good works, is to show that people are sinners, because
they all fail the Law, and therefore are accountable to God, Rom. 3:19, and
therefore need a savior, Gal. 3:24.
The Law, or good, is a
morally right system, but the Law does not give you a standard that you can
live up to, but instead gives humanity a standard that demonstrates mans
inability, to live up to it.Therefore,
lacking the ability to be perfect, man needs the help of someone else in order
to acquire salvation.
Humanity is a
sinner.Man is imperfect. God is perfect. God can have no relationship with imperfect
man.God can have nothing to do with
sin.
Man is unable to lift
himself out of the realm of sin, because the penalty of sin is death. And not just any death but
a total separation away from truth or God.
Since God rules the
universe and everything else, then when man is separated from the ruling
forces, and since man is incapable of establishing his own rules of sovereignty
in this universe, then man is totally helpless and lost to the cosmos that has
no rules.
Man cannot invent his
own laws of physics, or control anything or any event within the universe. Therefore, in order to be saved, saved from a
total separation from God, then man needs the help of someone else. Someone who is capable of
paying the price of sin (death), and then come back after defeating death.
That effort requires
nothing less than the capability of God Himself.
No man can accomplish
this effort. Simply being good will not establish you
as a ruler of your own universe.No
prophet can accomplish it either.Only
God, Jesus Christ, can accomplish the work of salvation.
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