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NASB | Romans 3:31 ¶ Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 3:31 ¶ Do we then nullify the Law by this faith [making the Law of no effect, overthrowing it]? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law [since it convicts us all of sin, pointing to the need for salvation]. |
Subject: Do we overthrow the Law? |
Bible Note: Clearly, first-century Jewish believers struggled with the truth that the Holy Spirit had begun a work amongst the Gentiles. They knew well the truth that God had exclusively dealt with the Patriarchs and the Nation for nearly two millennia (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). It would even require a special miracle (Acts 10) to jar the fixed Jewish mindset of Peter, the Apostle to the Circumcision. Israel had been God’s exclusive sphere of election--His beloved vineyard (Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 7:6; Matt. 21:33-39). Understandably, the Jews found it near impossible to let go of the concept of their exclusive "favored" position. But with Pentecost, things began to change and the Jewish apostles would find themselves having to play 'catch up' in their mode of thinking. To the Apostle Paul would fall the task of explaining several mysteries [truths previously hidden, but now being revealed] to both his Jewish brethren as well as the new Gentile believers. In Romans 8:29-30, the Apostle Paul proclaims a number of uniquely biblical truths: foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, sanctification--the Father’s grand purpose of conforming new creation believers to the likeness of his Son, glorification, as well as the fact that God is assuredly bringing all to a glorious consummation. With this having been said, Paul then turns to the subject of Israel's current status with Jehovah. Please open your Bible to Paul's epistle to the Romans and read along. ROMANS Chapter 9: 1-5 Something very troubling appears to have befallen Paul's kinsman and the apostle pours forth heart-felt emotion as he reflects upon Israel’s corporate election and their unique, eight-fold inheritance (verses 4-5). 6-9 For consolation, he explains that individual election has occurred within the sphere of Israel's corporate election. 10-14 All (both Jew and Gentile) must understand that the basis of all election lies with God, not man. It is not based on "doing anything good or bad," from a human perspective, nor is it based on "works". Further, God is not unjust in this matter. 15-18 The basis for election includes the display of God’s attributes of "mercy", "compassion", "power", "glory", and "wisdom" -- cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Election has nothing to do with human "desire or effort", and everything to do with God’s attribute of mercy. 19-24 Does sovereign election and man's lack of free will undermine human responsibility? No! In spite of men's feeble attempts to rationalize, the Holy Spirit speaking through Paul says, "No!" Men have volition and are active participants in the drama of God's provision of redemption. 25-29 The Jews had played the 'race card', and God used it against them. Israel, God's elect Nation, is set aside. Corporate plus individual election, not racial ethnicity and works, is the basis for salvation of either Jew or non-Jew. 30-33 Paul now reiterates some key concepts which he developed in earlier chapters and will touch upon again in chapters 10 and 11: a. Righteousness is based on individual sovereign election, (God's mercy and grace the cause), and is appropriated by means of personal faith, not human works. b. The Jewish nation's corporate election did not guarantee individual righteousness and a majority of the Israelites missed this truth. This occurred in fulfillment of the prophetic Word. ROMANS Chapter 10: 1-11 Paul's heart yearns for Israel's salvation. He acknowledges their religious zeal, but their zeal lacks understanding--a polite way of saying they're ignorant of spiritual truth. Without a clear understanding of either the cause (election via grace) and/or the means (faith via human volition) as the basis for personal righteousness, the Jew seeks to "establish their own" approach to righteousness via Moses' law and the principle of merit. 12 Jews continue to have a problem understanding how the Holy Spirit is at work amongst the Gentiles. They must be repetitively reminded that a substantial change has taken place. 16-21 Again, corporate election does not automatically result in individual faith. Personal salvation requires personal faith. God’s plan was to temporarily set aside Israel’s corporate election, then assemble a Body composed of both Jew and non-Jew from "every nation, tribe, language and people," the entire world (the "all")--as a testimony against Israel, as judgment against a "disobedient and obstinate people-Nation". The sphere of corporate election became the entire world. |