The relationship of gospel and law in the Apostle Paul

Abstract

For Paul, Christ was not only the centre of his existence He was also the determining factor in his understanding of the law and the Scripture. Paul defined the Gospel as the revelation of the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ and this was revealed in a definitive manner in the promise made to Abraham. The Jews, on the other hand, held that the law given to Moses was the definitive act of God. The law was for the Jew the expression of God's covenant relationship with His People and the prime revelation of the righteousness of God. Certainly the law did reveal the righteousness of God and consequently it always held a place of honour in Paul's life and thought. But he realised in the light of Christ that the law was powerless to save. Indeed, in connection with sin, the law became the occasion for man to sin even more in his attempt to achieve his own salvation by means of the law. But even in this situation the law did serve the purpose of keeping man under its guardianship until Christ came to free him from the law's bondage.The Gospel, i.e. the righteousness of God revealed in Jesus Christ, indicated the true extent of man's sin but also provided him with the way of salvation. By means of this revelation Christ not only fulfilled the righteousness of the law He ended it as a way of salvation. In Christ the condemnation of the law was brought to fruition and men in this new situation in Christ could not only accept the condemnation they deserved but the gift of salvation as well. It is only through faith in Christ that men participate in His righteousness and obedience and thus fulfil the law. In this new situation good works are not an attempt to achieve justification Use other side if necessary. but an expression of a Justification already accomplished. Thus we are accounted righteous by virtue of faith in Christ in which His righteousness becomes ours. Now the Christian lives in the freedom of the Spirit and fulfils the law of Christ in love of God and neighbour.Paul substantiates his argument with an appeal to Abraham who was accounted righteous before the giving of the law. Therefore he understood the promise made to Abraham and fulfilled in Christ to be the one definitive act of God in His salvation plan. All divine activity was determined by this particular set. For Paul, the law, the prophets, the Scripture and the whole history of Israel were to be understood in the light of this promise which was fulfilled in Christ.The Gentiles also existed in a state of slavery under the law. While they did not have the revealed law granted to Israel they did evidence a knowledge of God in their lives in their capacity for moral discernment. The avowed Intention of this natural revelation was to make all men blameworthy and without excuse for their rejection of God as they worshipped the creature rather than the Creator.The proclamation of the church which indicates man's need of salvation, the way of salvation and grants him the capacity to repent is to be found in the preaching of the Gospel and not the law. To proclaim the law is to thrust man back upon himself in order to achieve his salvation and therefore to make the same mistake which was characterised by Israel in their understanding of the law. In the appendix the author suggests that of those studied P.T. Forsyth best exemplifies this relationship of the Gospel and the law In his preaching. Helmut Thlelicke's preaching indicates a rather varied stance in this regard while Billy Graham consistently maintains a law and Gospel approach.