Are We Justified by Law or Faith? Exploring Biblical Contradictions
In this article, you will learn how Deuteronomy 7:11 contradicts Galatians 2:16, Romans 3:28, Romans 6:14, Ephesians 2:15 and Hebrews 8:13. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
The Bible, a collection of sacred texts, often presents themes that seem contradictory on the surface. Consider Deuteronomy 7:11, where Moses emphasizes the importance of following God's commandments. This can be likened to parents setting rules for their children, aiming to protect and guide them toward a fulfilled life. Here, the message appears clear: adherence to divine laws is an expression of love and trust in God.
However, the New Testament introduces a different perspective. In Galatians 2:16, the Apostle Paul argues that a person is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. This shift is like a student who, despite not following school rules perfectly, is given a prize for excellence based on the teacher’s belief in the student's potential rather than strict adherence to guidelines.
Romans 3:28 reinforces this idea, asserting justification by faith without the deeds of the law. It's as if one were saying that while rules are important, their ultimate purpose is not to bind us but to lead us to greater truths, such as the importance of faith.
Romans 6:14 suggests that believers are not under the law but under grace. This grace transcends the need for strict rule-following, similar to how an artist might first learn strict techniques only to later focus on creativity and expression.
Ephesians 2:15 and Hebrews 8:13 further challenge Deuteronomy's message by highlighting how Jesus abolished the law of commandments and established a new covenant. This creates a dynamic tension between old and new, similar to technological advancements rendering old methods obsolete, demanding an adaptation to new ways.
These biblical references raise thought-provoking questions about the nature of faith and obedience. Are rules the foundation of spiritual life, or is faith the ultimate path to divine connection? As we delve deeper into these scriptures, we encounter a complex interplay of law and grace, each with its own place in the journey of faith.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Deuteronomy 7:11 | Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them. |
| 2. | Galatians 2:16 | Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. |
| 3. | Romans 3:28 | Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. |
| 4. | Romans 6:14 | For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. |
| 5. | Ephesians 2:15 | Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace; |
| 6. | Hebrews 8:13 | In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away. |