The term "law" can refer to different things in the Bible

The term "law" can refer to different things in the Bible


The Bible often refers to "the law", but depending on the context it can refer to different things. Here are examples:

"the law (of) Moses" (Luke 2:22).
"the law (of) God" (Romans 7:22).
"the law (of) Christ" (Galatians 6:2).
"the law (of) the husband" (Romans 7:2).
"the law (of) sin" (Romans 7:23).
"the law (of) the Spirit (of) life in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:2)

If only the term "the law" is used in a verse, one must determine which law it is referring to by looking at the context.



The term "the law" can refer to more than "the law of Moses": 

The term "the law (of) Moses" can be distinguished from the term "the prophets" and the term "the psalms" (see Luke 24:44 for example), yet things that are in the prophets and in the psalms can be referred to as "in the law" (see 1 Corinthians 14:21 & John 15:25). 


The term "the law (of) Moses" can be distinguished from the term "the prophets" and the term "the psalms".
For example Jesus said about "the (things) having-been-written about Me in the law (of) Moses AND the prophets AND (the) psalms" (Luke 24:44).

Yet things that are in the prophets and in the psalms can be referred to as "in the law". 

Isaiah:
Isaiah can be referred as written in "the prophets", as for example Jesus said: "It has-been-written in the prophets: ‘and they-shall-be all taught (ones of) God’" (John 6:45).
This can be found in Isaiah 54:13: "And all your sons (and daughters) (will be) taught of God".

Paul referred to something found in Isaiah as "in the law", as he wrote: "It-has-been-written in the law that “I-will-speak (to) this people by (people of) other-tongues, and by (the) lips (of) others. And not-even in-this-manner will-they-listen-to Me, says (the) Lord”." (1 Corinthians 14:21).
This can be found in Isaiah 28:12-13: "by reason of (the) contempt of (the) lips, by means of another language; for they will speak to this people, saying to him, “This (is) the rest to the one hungering, and this is (the) calamity,” but they did not desire to be hearing".

Psalms:
Jesus referred to something found in the psalms as "in their law", as He said: "the word having-been-written in their law might-be-fulfilled — that ‘They-hated Me without-a-reason’." (John 15:25).
This can be found in Psalms 69:4: "The ones hating me without a cause".



The word used for "law" ("torah") in the Old Testament can refer to more than "the law of Moses": 

Ancient manuscripts of the Old Testament can be found in the Hebrew language. In the Hebrews language, the word translated "law" ("torah") can be used to refer to more than "the law (of) Moses". 

For example, the law of Moses is composed of several laws, such as "the law [torah] of the burnt offering" (Leviticus 6:9), "the law [torah] of the leper" (Leviticus 14:2), "the law [torah] of leprosy" (Leviticus 14:57), etc. 
Furthermore, before the law of Moses was even given it is written about Abraham that "Abraham listened to My voice and heeded My charge, My commands, My statues, and My laws [torah - plural]" (Genesis 26:5).


One "law" can be set in opposition to another "law": 

The "law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2) can be set in opposition to "the law (of) the Jews" (Acts 25:8), as for example Paul wrote of "NOT being myself under (the) Law" (1 Corinthians 9:20) that has to do with "the Jews" (1 Corinthians 9:20), "BUT within(-the)-law (of) Christ" (1 Corinthians 9:21).

The term "law (of) faith" (Romans 3:27) can be set in opposition to the term law "of works" (Romans 3:27), as Paul wrote: "He (might) be righteous and declaring-righteous the (one) of faith (in) Jesus. Where then (is) the boasting? It-was-shut-out. Through what kind of law? (Of) works? NO, BUT through (a) law (of) faith" (Romans 3:26-28).

The "law (of) the Spirit (of) life in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:2) can be set in opposition to "the law (of) sin and death" (Romans 8:2), as Paul wrote: "the law (of) the Spirit (of) life in Christ Jesus has-set me free FROM the law (of) sin and death" (Romans 8:2).



The term "the law of Moses":

The "law of Moses" (Nehemiah 8:1) can be defined as the law of God given through Moses, as it is written: "(the) law of God, which was given by (the) hand of Moses" (Nehemiah 10:29).



The term "the law of Christ":

The "law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2) can be defined as the law of God given through Christ, as Paul wrote about "not being without(-the)-law (of) God, but within(-the)-law (of) Christ" (1 Corinthians 9:21).

For more information, check the following article:
Is there a law in the new covenant?: Click here



The term "the law of the husband":

The "law (of) the husband" (Romans 7:2) can be described as the following for a married woman: "(while) the husband (is) living, she-will-be-called (an) adulteress if she-comes (to a) different husband. But if the husband dies, she-is free from the law, (so that) she-is not (an) adulteress, having-come (to a) different husband" (Romans 7:3).



The term "the law of sin":

The "law (of) sin" (Romans 7:23) is served with the flesh: "I myself am-serving (the) Law (of) God (with) the mind, but (the) law (of) sin (with) the flesh" (Romans 7:25). 

The "law (of) sin" (Romans 7:23) is existing in one's body parts: "the law (of) sin existing in my body-parts" (Romans 7:23). 

The "law (of) sin" (Romans 7:23) can be described as the following: "if I-am-doing this which I-am not wanting, I-am no-longer producing it, but the sin dwelling in me (is). I-find then the law (in) me, the (one) wanting to-do the good, that the evil is-present (in) me" (Romans 7:20-21).

The "law (of) sin" (Romans 7:23) can also be called "the law (of) sin and death" (Romans 8:2) because sin can produce death in someone, as Paul wrote about: "sin (while) producing death in me" (Romans 7:13).


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