A snippet from a teaching from Jim Staley on Noah, where he addresses one of the most misunderstood bible verses that has led Christians down the wrong path and into wrong doctrines.
Many believe Romans 10:4 say that Christ is the ‘end’ of the law and therefore came to do away with God’s law as given through Moses (the Torah). But is it correct?
Let’s look at the word ‘end’: The Greek word for “end” in verse 4 is “telos.” It does not mean “end” as in destroyed. If “telos” means destroyed or made void like many Christian commentators want it to mean, then we have a serious problem. Consider these examples of the same Greek word being used elsewhere.
James 5:11 “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the “purpose” (telos) of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
>> So if “telos” in Romans 10:4 means that the law is ended as in made void, then that must mean that James is stating that our Creator was made void as well. We expect that you see the problem with that.
1 Timothy 1:5 “The aim (telos) of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
>> So, should our love be destroyed or made void just like the law of God was made void in Romans 10:4? Same word…”telos”
So “telos” can be translated as “purpose”, “aim” or “goal”. In this light, let’s re-read Romans 10:4 For Christ is the goal of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Jesus is our example on how to walk the Law of God…that is what Paul is saying. The Pharisees made up their own commandments for righteousness. Paul is simply pointing out that we do not need the example of the Pharisees and their traditions as commandments of men. We should just follow our Messiah and do what He did. He is our example. He is our goal. He is the image that we should conform to.
1 John 1:6 …whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
>> This means that we should just follow the Torah just as Jesus followed the Torah. That is the exact opposite of what many understand this verse to mean. This verse does not mean that Jesus ended Torah, but came to be the example of Torah.
I highly recommend you watch the “Pauline Paradox” a very in depth teaching series on Paul’s letters. They are long videos but if you are serious in seeking truth, these videos would definitely help you understand Paul’s letters in a correct and scriptural way.
