Category: Doctrine

Branches

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Romans 11:18-24 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bear not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou stand by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shall be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? 

‘Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bear not the root, but the root thee’ – the Gentiles here are warned not to boast of their being accepted by God in the place of the Jews (11:18-19), but to fear lest they also fall and not be spared (11:20-22).

‘If thou continue in his goodness; otherwise thou also shall be cut off’ – this is always the condition of eternal life. If God promises here to cut off those who do not remain in His goodness, then He is obligated to do so (2:11). The conditions of eternal life are: Come to Christ (John 6:37, 44, 45, 65); know God and Christ (John 17:2-3); cause no offense (Matt. 18:8-9); forsake all (Matt. 19:27-29; Mark 10:28-30); overcome sin (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21); live free from sin (Rom. 5:21; 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Tit. 2:11-14); fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on it (1Tim. 6:12, 19); be sober and hope to the end for it (Tit. 1:2; 3:7; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13); endure temptations (Jas. 1:12); love everybody (1Jn. 3:14-15); keep yourself in the love of God, looking for eternal life (Jude 1:20-24); be faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10; Heb. 12:14-15); believe and obey the gospel (John 3:15-19, 36; 4:14; 5:24; 6:40, 47, 54; 2Cor. 5:17; Rom. 1:5); be born again, hear Christ, and follow Him (John 3:1-36; 10:27-29).

‘If they abide not still in unbelief’ – this is always the condition of renewal in God and in His faith and grace.

‘Again’ – The word “again” means “once more; anew; afresh.” Anything could not be done again if it had not been done before. Seven things that people can do again: Be revived again (Ps. 85:6); return to God again (Jer. 3:1; Ezek. 33:14); turn from sin again (Jer. 25:5; Ezek. 18:27); be grafted into the olive tree again (11:23); be taught again (Heb. 5:12); be made over again (Jer. 18:4); be born again (John 3:3-7; 1Pet. 1:3, 23; Gal. 4:19; Jas. 5:19-20).

Seven things that people should not do again: Turn from righteousness (Ezek. 3:20); build sinful things (Gal. 2:18); desire to be in bondage (Gal. 4:9); be entangled in Mosaic Law (Gal. 5:1); continue sinning and repenting (Heb. 6:1); turn back to folly (Psa_85:8); be entangled in sin (2Pet. 2:20-22).

‘Contrary to nature into a good olive tree’ a fruitless branch grafted to a good tree is contrary to custom.

‘How much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?’ It being contrary to custom to graft unfruitful branches into a good and fruitful tree, how much more will it be natural to graft branches into their own fruitful tree?

The Reconciling of the World

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Romans 11:12-17 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, were graffed in among them, and with them partakes of the root and fatness of the olive tree 

‘Riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness.’ If, in consequence of their rebellion, the riches of God’s grace has to come to the Gentile world, how much more will the world be blessed when Israel comes to her fullness of blessing again.

‘Emulation’ same word translated “jealousy” in Romans 11:11. If I might by some means provoke some Jews to seek their share of the gospel.

‘For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?’ If the rejection of Israel and the turning to Gentiles caused all the world to have the immediate opportunity of being saved, how much more will many in the world be blessed when the whole nation of Israel is saved in one day (11:15, 25-29; Isa. 66:7-8; Zech. 12:10-13:1; 14:1-5, 14, 16-21).

‘Firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches’ “The firstfruit” refers to the first Jews blessed in the gospel and “the lump” to the whole nation that will be blessed and become holy in the end (11:16, 25-29; Isa. 66:7-8; Zech. 12:10-13:1; 14:1-21). “The root and fatness of the olive tree” refers to Christ and God’s blessings of the Abrahamic and New Covenant. “The branches” are the Israelites, like true Christians are the branches in the vine of John 15:1-8.

‘And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, were graffed in among them, and with them partakes of the root and fatness of the olive tree’ Israel is here pictured as branches of an olive tree and the Gentiles as a wild olive tree, or the oleaster which bears no fruit. Some are broken off because of unbelief and Gentiles take their place to partake of Israel’s blessings.

Through Their Fall

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Romans 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 

‘Have they stumbled that they should fall? … how much more their fulness? … For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?’ Have the Jews stumbled to complete and eternal ruin? God forbid. Their ruin is only temporary. In the meantime the Gentiles will take their place to provoke them to jealousy (10:19; 11:11; Deut. 32:21). The fall of the Jews was not in itself the reason for the salvation of the Gentiles. They were to be saved whether the Jews accepted or rejected the gospel (Gen. 12:1-3; Rom. 4:1-25; Gal. 6:8-10). The unbelief of Israel could never give faith to Gentiles. The rejection of Christ by the Jews only accelerated the salvation of the Gentiles (Acts 13:46-48; 28:28).

‘Stumbled’ [Greek: patio] to make a false step or mistake; to fail. Stumble (11:11); fall (2Pet. 1:10) and offend (Jas. 2:10; 3:2).

‘Fall’ [Greek: pipto] to fall down or out, meaning to be slain, or to lose one’s favour or grace. This proves that Israel, by offending or by failing lost the grace or favour of God. “Fall” is used in this sense in many scriptures (Luke 8:13; Acts 1:25; Rom. 11:11-12, 11:22; 1Cor. 10:12; Gal. 5:4; 1Tim. 3:7; 6:9; Heb. 4:11; 6:4-6; 2Pet. 1:10; 3:17; Jude 1:24; Rev. 2:5).

‘Fall’ [Greek: paraptoma] a falling aside, when one should have stood upright; a moral fall; a fall from truth and grace. Fall (11:11-12); fault (Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:16); offence (4:25; 5:15-20); trespass (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:35; Mark 11:25-26; 2Cor. 5:19; Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13); and sin (Eph. 1:7; 2:5; Col. 2:13).

‘For to provoke them to jealousy’ – the salvation and blessing of Gentiles will be the means of provoking Jews to seek and claim again their blessings.

Israel fell because: They forsook God (1Kin. 9:9; 11:33; 2Kin. 22:17; 2Chr. 7:22; 24:20; 36:25-27; Jer. 17:12); they sinned (1Kin. 14:15-16; 15:30; 2Chron. 6:24; Jer. 40:3; 44:23); of their transgressions (Lev. 16:16; Deut. 32:5; Josh. 7:15; 1Sam. 24:5); they despised the Lord (Num. 11:20; 15:31; 1Sam. 30:12; 2Sam. 12:10); they turned away from the Lord and would not serve Him (Num. 14:43; Deut. 28:47); they have done evil (2Kin. 21:15); they rebelled (Num. 20:24; Ps. 107:11-17); they would not obey God (Deut. 8:20; 28:62; 1Kin. 20:26; 2Kin. 18:12); they have forsaken the Lord (Deut. 29:25; 1Sam. 12:10; 2Kin. 22:17; 2Chr 24:20-24; 28:6; Jer. 17:13; 19:4; 22:9); they have rejected the Lord (1Sam. 15:17-35); they have not kept His commandments (1Sam. 13:13-14; 1Kin. 11:34); they have cast off the law (Isa. 5:24; Amos 2:4); they have forgotten God (Isa. 17:10; Jer. 17:13; 18:15; Ezek. 23:35); because of their evil and wickedness (Jer. 4:4; 21:12; 26:3; 32:32; 44:3; Hos. 10:15) and of their abominations (Jer. 44:22; Ezek. 5:9; 44:7); they repented not (Matt. 11:20); because of their unbelief (Rom. 11:20; Heb. 4:6).

Election of Grace

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Romans 11:5-10 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeks for; but the election has obtained it, and the rest were blinded  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. And David said, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 

‘Remnant’ – the doctrine of the remnant always refers to Judah and the other tribes of Israel, never to Gentiles or the body of Christ. It teaches that God is obligated to save a remnant of all Israel, so as to preserve their line to eventually fulfil with them the covenants made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. God promised an eternal line to these men, and He promised their descendants an eternal land (Gen. 12:1-3, 7; 13:14-17; 15:18-21; 17:2-8, 19; 21:12; 22:17-18; 26:3-4; 28:3-4, 13-15; 2Sam. 7:1-29). God often predicted the deliverance and preservation of a remnant of the thirteen tribes and their final and eternal restoration under their Messiah (Isa. 1:9; 10:20-22; 11:10-12, 11:16; 38:1-22; 46:3; Jer. 23:3; 31:7; 39:9; 40:11; Ezek. 6:8-10; Joel 2:32; Mic. 2:12; 5:3-8; Zeph. 2:7-9; 3:13; Zech. 8:6-12; Rom. 9:27; 11:5; Rev. 12:17). According to Isaiah 1:9 Isaiah predicted that a very small remnant would be saved in the coming destruction of Judah and Jerusalem; otherwise Israel would have been totally destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah.

‘Election of grace’ – grace elects to save all that will believe. Anyone chosen of God at any time, Jew or Gentile, is the elect of God (9:11; 11:5, 7, 28; 1Thess. 1:4; 1Pet. 5:13; 2Pet. 1:10). All men are called to become God’s elect or chosen ones and can be if they will choose God (Matt. 11:28-30; 20:16; John 1:12; 3:16-20; 6:37; Eph. 1:4; 2Thess. 2:13; Jas. 2:5; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; Rev. 17:14; 22:17).

‘And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace’ – the Jews were saved by grace and not because of any connection with a covenant of works. If it were of works, then it would cease to be a free and unmerited gift.

‘What then?’ What then is the real case under discussion? It is this, Israel has so earnestly desired. The election or chosen ones only have obtained it. The rest have been blinded.

‘God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear’ this is the 12th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Romans (11:8; Isa. 29:10). The very Word of God that should have awakened them has blinded them. God is not to blame, Israel is (9:12-18).

‘Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock …’ this is the 13th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Romans (11:9-10; Ps. 69:22-23). Their table (i.e., providential blessings) become a snare, a trap, a stumbling block and a means of punishment.

Not Cast Away

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Romans 11:1-4 I say then, Has God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot you not what the scripture said of Elias? how he makes intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what said the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

‘Has God cast away his people? … Wot you not what the scripture said of Elias? … But what said the answer of God unto him?’ What shall we conclude? Has God cast off Israel completely and permanently? God forbid. I am an Israelite myself and proof that God is not through with Jews, but willing to save all that will believe.

‘I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.’ Paul refers to himself here as proof that God did not cast away His people.

‘Which he foreknew’ God’s foreknowledge [Greek: prognosis] is a perceiving beforehand where it refers to God seeing ahead. God’s invitations, promises, provision, and warnings of punishment are general for all people are invited to choose life and are warned of eternal punishment if they do not do so.

‘Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life’ quoted from 1Kings 19:10-18. This proves the doctrine of the remnant, according to the election of grace (11:5-6; Isa. 1:9).

‘I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal’ – this illustrates how God can reserve 144,000 Jews to Himself after the rapture and during the first 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 7:1-8; 14:1-5).

‘Baal’ the name of the idol god of Moab, and Peor was the name of the place where the idol was worshipped (Num. 25:18; 23:28; Jos. 22:17; Hos. 9:10). Baal-worship was the state religion of Israel under Ahab and Jezebel. It was with this god that Elijah had his great contest (1Kin. 18:1-46). Baal was the male sun-god worshipped as the chief deity among heathen nations in western Asia (Num. 22:41; Jud. 2:13; 6:25-32; 1Kin. 16:31-32; 18:19-26,40; 19:18; 1Kin. 22:53; 2Kin. 3:2; 10:18-28; 11:18; 17:16; 21:3; 23:4-5; 1Chron. 4:33; 5:5; 8:30; 9:36; 2Chron. 23:17; Jer. 2:8; 7:9; 11:13, 17; 12:16; 19:5; 23:13, 27; 32:29, 35; Hos. 2:8; 13:1; Zeph. 1:4; Rom. 11:4). His altars and sanctuaries were located on high places-even the summits of high mountains-in order to get the first view of the rising sun, the last of the setting sun. The sun was believed to be the source and emblem of all life and the generative power of nature.

Have They Not Heard?

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Romans 10:18-21 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses said, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and said, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he said, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. 

‘Did not Israel know?’ Paul here answers a third question in the Jewish mind: “Why did not Israel know about these things?” He proves by Moses and Isaiah that they were made clear to Israel centuries ago (10:19-21).

‘I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you’ this is the 10th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Romans (10:19; Deut. 32:21). Just as Israel made God jealous and angry over their worship of gods which are not real, so God was to provoke Israel to jealousy and anger by choosing a people who were not His chosen ones.

‘I was found of them that sought me not …’ this is the 11th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Romans (10:20-21; Isa. 65:1-2). I have put My salvation in reach of the Gentiles who were not seeking for it and who knew nothing about it and they have received it (9:30). As to Israel, I have done my best to save them, but they refuse to listen after many centuries.

‘All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people’ Five purposes for using Old Testament Scripture: To show similarity of ideas (10:6-8); to show parallel cases (2:24; 8:36; 9:27-29; 11:2-10; 15:21); to explain a doctrinal point (1:17; 4:6-8, 18-21; 9:20-21; 10:15; 15:3); to prove a doctrinal point (3:4, 10-19; 4:3-17; 5:12-14; 9:7-17; 10:5, 11, 13; 12:19-20; 13:9; 14:11); to prove the fulfilment of prophecy (9:25-26, 33; 10:16, 19, 20-21; 11:26-27; 15:9-13).

The Gospel of Peace

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Romans 10:14-17 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias said, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

‘How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? … Lord, who hath believed our report?’ Seven steps in gospel faith:

The gospel was given by Christ; the gospel must be preached; a preacher was necessary (10:14); the preacher must be sent (10:15); the gospel must be heard (10:14-15); the gospel must be believed (10:16); the gospel must be obeyed (10:9-17).

‘How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things’ this is the 8th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Romans (10:15; Isa. 52:7). This prophecy is only partially fulfilled in New Testament ministers. They cannot now say of Zion, “Thy God reigns.” In the Millennium they will say this, so the passage will then be fully fulfilled.

‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ this is the 9th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Romans (10:16; Isa. 53:1). Paul here answers a question in the Jewish mind thus: “But they have not all obeyed the gospel;” that is if the gospel was of God, it should have divine success, and so, since many do not believe it, then it must not be of God. Paul proves by prophecy that many would not believe and obey the gospel (Isa. 53:1). God sends the message, but He does not obligate people to accept and obey it (1:16; Mark 16:16; John 3:16-20).

‘Have they not heard? … Did not Israel know?’ In this verse Paul answers another Jewish question, “Have they not heard;” that is, have all the Jews of the world heard the gospel? Yes, for like the heavenly bodies of Psalm 19:4 that send forth their testimony of a living God to all the world, so the gospel of Christ has borne testimony to all the Jews of the known world.

Whosoever Believes

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Romans 10:8-13 But what said it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture said, Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

‘The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith’ the gospel is now plain and easy to obey. The doctrine of the death and resurrection of Christ is fully effective to save. It is near you. It is easy to be confessed with your mouth and believed in your heart if you want to be saved (10:8-13). It is the word of faith, and if acted upon (as in Romans 10:9-10), you shall be saved.

‘That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved’ – a simple guarantee of salvation.

‘Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed’ quoted from Isaiah 28:16; 49:23. He that confides and trusts in the sure foundation is secure and will not make haste or be ashamed (9:33; 1Pet. 2:6).

‘No difference between the Jew and the Greek’ all people are equal in Christ (1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11). All races, classes, and sexes are one in Christ and equal in rights and privileges regarding gospel benefits. They make one body with Christ as the head (1Cor. 12:13, 28-31; Eph. 1:20-23; 2:19-22; Col. 3:11). The gulf between Jews and Gentiles, masters and slaves, male and female have been bridged by Christ and the gospel. All Christians are one in unity, in rights, and in privileges as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one in unity and not one in person (John 17:11, 21-22; 1Jn. 5:7).

‘Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved’ quoted from Joel 2:32 and Acts 2:21. Believing on Christ and calling upon Him is in effect the same thing (10:9-13). Calling upon God presupposes faith in Him, and if one has faith he will call upon God in all times of need.

‘Lord’ Paul uses the Greek word kurios for the Hebrew Jehovah of Joel 2:32, proving that Jesus of Romans 10:9 is called Jehovah. Thus there was more than one Jehovah in the Old Testament (Gen. 19:24). Compare Psalm 110:1 with Matthew 22:44 and Acts 2:34 were the same Greek word is used of both God and Christ in the Septuagint and the New Testament. It is translated “Lord” 667 times as the equivalent of the Old Testament Jehovah.

The Righteousness Which is of Faith

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Romans 10:5-7 For Moses described the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which does those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 

‘That the man which does those things shall live by them’ – perfect obedience was required by the law. Since no man could accomplish this, all people were condemned by the law and cursed by it (Deut. 27:26; Gal. 3:10-13; Rom. 3:19-20). This shows the impossibility of being saved by the law and the fact that all can be saved by the gospel (10:6-13).

‘But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above)’ Law righteousness demanded perfect obedience; faith righteousness asks only confession of sins and surrender to God who, by the Holy Spirit, sets free from the law of sin and death (8:2), transforms the nature and life (1Cor. 6:11; 2Cor. 5:17-18), fulfils in man the righteousness of the law (8:3), and makes man righteous in Christ (4:1-25; 10:6-13; 1Cor. 1:30; 2Cor. 5:21;).

‘Who shall ascend into heaven? … Or, Who shall descend into the deep? … But what said it?’ This is quoted from Deuteronomy 30:12-14. Paul here simply shows that people do not have to search for Christ or the Word of the gospel, for it is near them and only needs to be acted upon. It is like the law in Deuteronomy 30:12-14: they did not have to search for it; they already had it if they would recognize it. So people have the gospel that will save their souls if they will accept it.

‘Deep’ [Greek: abussos] meaning bottomless, unbounded by any definite known limits. Christ did descend into the lower parts of the earth to liberate the righteous dead and take them with Him when He ascended on high (Matt. 12:40; Eph. 4:8-10; Heb. 2:14-15).

The End of the Law

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Romans 10:1-4 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes. 

‘That they might be saved’ Paul knew that God was still willing to forgive if they would only repent.

‘Zeal of God, but not according to knowledge’ – zealous but stubbornly ignorant (10:2-3).

‘Have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God’ – this shows their rebellion to the end.

‘For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes’ – the law ends in Christ who fulfilled it by being the real sacrifice of which the law sacrifices were merely typical (Eph. 2:14-15; Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 8:5; 10:1). The law was our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ and was added because of transgression until Christ should come (Gal. 3:19-25; Rom. 5:20; Heb. 9:10). It cannot save, but condemns, making the sinner realize his need of salvation. Christ is the end of the law of sacrifices, types, rituals, and outward religion which foreshadowed Him and the spiritual realities of the New Testament

The Law of commandments were abolished as we see from the Greek word katargeo that means to make of no effect (3:3; 4:14; Gal. 3:17; 5:4); come and bring to naught (1Cor. 1:28; 2:6); done away (1Cor. 13:10; 2Cor. 3:7, 3:11, 14); fail (1Cor. 13:8); cease (Gal. 6:11); vanish away (1Cor. 13:8); make void (3:31); cumber (Luke 13:7); deliver (7:6); loose (7:2); put away (1Cor. 13:11); put down (1Cor. 15:24); destroy (6:6; 1Cor. 6:13; 15:26; 2Thess. 2:8; Heb. 2:14); and abolish (2Cor. 3:13; Eph. 2:15; 2Tim. 1:10).

It is clear from these passages that whatever is abolished is completely null and void. What is it here (Eph. 2:14-15) that is abolished? It is the law of commandments in decrees, or the law of dogmatic commandments. The word for ordinances is dogma translated “decree” (Luke 2:1; Acts 16:4; 17:7) and “ordinance” (Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14). The law was made to expose sin (3:19-20; 7:13; Gal. 3:19-25) and to keep the Jews a distinct people until Christ came. After that it was no longer needed.

From Colossians 2:14-15, we see that the handwriting of ordinances was blotted out because it was against them and contrary to them; and it was taken out of the way by nailing it to Christ’s cross where He spoiled the principalities and powers (satan and his emissaries). Here it means satan and his forces were stripped of their power to condemn and kill the race. The law was blotted out and they had no further claim to hold man in sin and bondage, as they did by means of the law.