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Understanding Paul
Excerpt from Keeping Yahweh's Appointments
revised with supplemental studies
Jonathan David Brown
Two Kinds Of Law
Words of the Apostle Paul have many times been misinterpreted (as all scripture can be) to
the extent of nullifying Yah's law on the sabbath, and others such as the food laws. One reason
why this happens is because of certain key words being mistranslated. An example of this is the
Greek word meaning "common" in Romans 14:14 being improperly translated as "unclean." This
kind of mistake causes teachers to hold doctrinal positions which are plainly insupportable in con-
text with the rest of scripture. But it is easy to do because Paul seems to be speaking out of both
sides of his mouth at times, which is perhaps the best explanation for this "law nullification"
process.
For instance, in Galatians 5:4 he states: "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever
of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." But then in Romans 2:13 he states, "For
not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." Many of
these contradictions are easily cleared up with the understanding that he is speaking of different
kinds of law. Mostly, that which is of the sacrificial versus that which is of the moral and civil.
We'll divert momentarily from Galatians to demonstrate this from the book of Hebrews
chapter 10:
vs. 1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the
things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make
the comers thereunto perfect.
vs. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once
purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
vs. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
vs. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
* * *
vs. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou
wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law.
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