Did Jesus Abolish the Law?

Matthew 5:17-18 says Jesus did NOT come to destroy the law

Ephesians 2:15 says that the law was abolished

Is there a contradiction?

Matthew 5:17-18

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Ephesians 2:14-16 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has

made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,

16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

Meaning of Words

Destroy (Matthew 5:17) 21 times in NT Greek word from “to loose down” Means – to render vain, deprive of success Used in connection with laws – to deprive of force,

to invalidate To take away the power or force of the law, make

the law no longer valid

Meaning of Words

Abolish (Ephesians 2:15) 44 times in NT Greek word from “to remove from power” Thayer – 1) to render idle, unemployed, inactivate,

inoperative; to cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency; to deprive of force, influence, power

Think of a TV – unplugged Still a TV – but inoperative Lost its ability to function

Meaning of Words

Jot - Tittle In Hebrew there are very minor differences is some

letters Tittle – the little swirl or extension Jot – smallest letter in Hebrew alphabet We would say – dot the “i” and cross the “t”

Meaning of Words

Jot - Tittle Jesus said not a jot or tittle would pass

until ALL is fulfilled This means – NOTHING of the law of

Moses would pass away until all was fulfilled

NOTHING of the law was to fail until it had completely accomplished its purpose.

Destroy / Abolish

Destroy = remove its force, render vain, invalidate

Abolish = reduce to inactivity, render idle

NOTE: Neither word means – annihilate, totally destroy, erase from existence

2 “Tills”

Matthew 5:18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

TILL heaven and earth pass away – end of time TILL all is fulfilled – purpose of law is complete Either / Or – EITHER the end of time OR the

law is fulfilled

IF Law is not fulfilled: The Law is not done away Law still has force – animal sacrifices, feast days,

atonement, Passover, clean and unclean foods, new moons, Sabbath day, etc.

ALL of it is still in force - Galatians 5:3 And I testify again to every man

who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

The Law Ended

Amos 8:5, 9-10 – Sabbath, new moons ended 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 – 10 Commandments Ephesians 2:14-17 – commandments contained

in ordinances Colossians 2:14-17 – Do not judge food,

sabbaths, new moons Romans 7:6-7 – Delivered from Covet law Jeremiah 31:31-34 – Law replaced

Were parts were carried over?

NO – All was done away. If any remained – All remained All the “law of Christ” is NEW Old = physical – murder adultery New = spirit, mind – hate lust

Conclusion:

Matthew 5:17-18; Ephesians 2:15 Harmony between these passages Purpose of the law – bring us to Christ Galatians 3:24 Therefore the law was our tutor

to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

When it was fulfilled by Christ – it was no longer needed – nailed to cross, destroyed, abolished

Conclusion:

Consider all the facts The law was destroyed - deprived of force,

made invalid The law was abolished - deprived of force,

influence, or power The law was not erased from existence The law was “unplugged” - removed its power

Conclusion:

Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

Jesus' purpose was not to destroy (unplug) the law

His purpose was to fulfill the law Once fulfilled – It had served its purpose