A Simple Man’s Notes on Scripture

Part II: The Conduct of Humanity Lo! you are being denominated a Jew, and are resting on law, and are boasting in God , and know the will , and are testing what things are of consequence , being instructed out of the law. We may now consider three distinct ideals to which the Jew attempts to attain. These three ideals are bookended by the law – their resting on law, and being instructed out of law. The difference between these two phrases is clear in their presentation. In the former, the Jew rests on law. The three following ideals clarify what this entails. It is not a thoughtless rest, but heeding the direction of the law. Keep in mind, before we begin, that the principles themselves are not wrong, or bad. The argument from Paul is not that these are offensive to God. Instead, he argues that the context in which these principles are assumed is incorrect. The law does not magically enable one to do these things. It vouches for them as righteous, indeed, as we will see! But the law ...