Under The Law (biblical meaning)

Unlearning The Lies

This post aims to clarify misunderstandings about Elohim’s law and the meaning of “under the law,” which modern religion often misinterprets.

In the Old Testament, avoiding being “under the law” is the main goal—it’s about living in harmony with Elohim’s Law, free from sin’s influence. Modern religious people see the law as Elohim’s covenant only with Israel. However, it also applies to Gentiles, including those who traveled with Israel out of Egypt, guiding righteous living. To be free from its burden, one must obey faithfully. Perfect obedience was the ideal but nearly impossible due to misunderstanding and rebellion—breaking one law means breaking them all. (James 2:10)

Self-aware

I am aware that some modern day Christians use Galatians 3:10 to excuse themselves from obeying the commandments.

let’s use a western translation, I’ll use the NLT to understand Galatians 3:10,

”But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.””
‭‭(Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

This teaching emphasizes careful reading. The “book” mentioned isn’t where Elohim wrote His Commandments—He wrote them on two stone tablets. This book includes Moses’ concession on divorce, a law not intended by the Most High but given because Israel refused to obey. It was imperfect, unlike the Commandments, so the book of the law was placed outside the Ark of the Covenant, not inside. (Deuteronomy 31:24-26) It had a little “yeast,” meaning inaccuracies concerning the teachings, (Matthew 19:8), even though most of it was accurate. This concise with Elohim‘s perfection.

Moses Law

Though the book of the Law included God’s Ten Commandments, it was imperfect due to concessions. It didn’t reflect the perfection Elohim desired. The Messiah came to teach Elohim’s perfect way through his fulfillment, so those who obey His law, as perfected by the Messiah, can receive eternal life. It’s really that simple.

Deuteronomy 6:1-2 emphasizes following the commandments: “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your EL has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them… that you may fear the Lord your EL, to keep all His statutes and His commandments.” The word “fear” in Scripture isn’t just the reverence modern religion teaches. It’s a trembling fear. To understand the reverence Elohim desires from His children, study Deuteronomy 5:24-31.

Different Translations

Let’s look at Philippians chapter 2:12 in the NLT, ““Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.”
‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Let’s look at Philippians 2:12 KJV, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

Pay Attetion

Notice it mentions both, reverence and fear in the NLT. If reverence simply meant fear there was no need to mention them both. Also notice where it mentions obeying God. (EL), in modern-day religion they ignore him and his laws.

The NLT uses “reverence” (Strong’s G5401) instead of “fear” and swaps “trembling” for “fear.” Why? I’m not sure. Studying multiple translations helps clarify this. Despite the NLT’s simplicity, I understood “fear” as true fear. Through the NLT, I grasped the Torah, so it’s not just a translation issue—it’s an understanding issue. Are we seeing Elohim through Scripture or modern-day religious influence?

The Strongs

The word fear (G5401)

φόβος

phobos

fob’-os

From a primary φέβομαι phebomai (to be put in fear); alarm or fright: – be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror.

Observe that this is not the fear propagated by modern religions. Rather, it more closely resembles a profound, trembling awe. Grasping this distinction should sustain your interest, prompting deeper inquiry and questioning, akin to Yeshua in Luke 2:46. It embodies the same spirit.

Under The Curse

Being under the law equates simply to being under Elohim’s curse. Yet, how can a person fall under El’s curse? Let us examine a few additional passages.

Deuteronomy 28:15 states: “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you.” This verse introduces an extensive list of curses for forsaking God’s laws, such as spiritual impoverishment or defeat. See also Deuteronomy 11:26–28, Jeremiah 11:3, Deuteronomy 27:26, and Joshua 8:34–35. This encapsulates the biblical essence of being under the curse—or, equivalently, “under the law”—which diverges markedly from contemporary religious interpretations, does it not?

Opposite

It is not merely different—it is diametrically opposed to the convictions held by many contemporary religious adherents, who equate being “under the law” with obedience to God’s Ten Commandments.

Respectfully, irrespective of the time modern Christians devote to their churches, they remain under the law until they attain full obedience to the Most High God. Until then, He remains silent. Let them assert that Elohim has performed this or that for them. Let them consume forbidden meats (pork, lobster, shrimp, crabs, oysters, clams, octopus, etc.). Let them appropriate one another’s prophecies, criticize each other, and boast of knowing Elohim while violating the seventh-day Sabbath. They are foolish and bereft of understanding. Who can instruct them but the Most High? Yet they refuse to heed Him.

Hearing His Voice

Even the Israelites, whom Elohim rescued from Egypt, heard His voice prior to their destruction. Yet, modern Christians profess to know Him, despite never having heard His voice. They deliberately violate His seventh-day Sabbath—the fourth commandment—while instructing others to acquaint themselves with the very same El whom they have never encountered. I deem them the great pretenders. How profound is their Foolishness?

Until they renounce their pride and the deity they have fabricated for themselves (jesus)—who allegedly teaches them to ignore the seventh day Sabbath—they shall remain under the law and Elohim’s curse.

Shalom!