This truth is ground breaking for understanding Paul’s writings! When I first learned this my reaction was “Why haven’t I ever heard of this?” The Dead Sea scrolls were found in 1946 and they fully gathered them all by 1991. That’s a long time ago. Every historian and Christian theologian who was anyone “important “ with an esteemed title and education on this stuff have studied them. You’d think something so important to understanding the New Testament would have went through every church pastor, and denomination everywhere. But we as “regular uneducated” folks well I guess that’s not for us. Right? Or is there an agenda? The Liars that try and say that Gods Commandments and His Holy Law is done away with try and use this phase as a gotcha phrase whenever someone suggests being obedient to scripture saying “If you follow the Law your under a curse “ we’ve all heard it and some of you may have even said it yourselves. So the term in scripture “Works of law” or “deeds of law” both are the same in the Greek. simply means man’s religious rules or more accurately Rabbinical Law. Let’s look at Gods Holy Word with the understanding we now have. Gal 3:10-11 For as many as are of the works of the law (religious laws)are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Why would they be under a curse? Because they are breaking the law by adding to it. Deu 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. Rom 9:31-32 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, (Gods law)hath not attained(To reach; to come to or arrive at, by an effort of mind) to the law of righteousness. (Gods law)Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law.(religious laws) Rom 3:27-28 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.(religious law) Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law(religious law) there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.(sin is the transgression of the law 1Jn 3:4) Let’s read an excerpt from the works of the law found in the Dead Sea scrolls. Remember David, that he was a man of piety, and that he was also saved from many troubles and pardoned. We have also written to you concerning some of the works of the law which we think are beneficial to you and your people for we have noticed that prudence and knowledge of the law are with you. Understand all these matters and ask him to straighten your council and put you far away from thoughts of evil in the council of Belial. Consequently, you will rejoice at the end of time when you discover that some of our sayings are true, and it will be reckoned for you as righteousness when you perform what is right and good before Him, for your own good in that of Israel. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? Do you see how subtle this is? Same thing still goes on today! So in closing let us take warning from this; not to be adding man’s tradition or church rules to Gods Holy Instructions no matter how well meaning it may seem to you. Be careful who you are calling Pharisees you may very well have a log stuck in your own eye. Jn 10:11-14 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Works of the law This term is used by Paul in Galatians and Romans and sometimes translated from the same Greek to “deeds of the law” Let’s look Gal 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. Justified (G1344 Greek: δικαιόω Transliteration: dikaioō Pronunciation: dik-ah-yo'-o Definition: From G1342; to render (that is show or regard as) just or innocent: - free justify (-ier) be righteous.) Paul also says Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. (G1344 same word) Contradiction? Which is it Paul? The problem is our understanding. Paul was highly educated in both the Law of God but also in the Rabbinical Laws as well. He was trained and brought up as a Pharisee. Gal 2:11-14 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? Paul was angry with Peter because he was following the man made Jewish religious laws. There’s no law in Gods law that says not to eat with a gentile. There is in the Talmud which are these very same Jewish religious laws. Tractate Shabbath 13a A set apart one may not dine with a zab (one who is forsaken) who is a non jew lest he cause him to associate with him? Rather say (thus) lest he offer him unclean food. The Jew thought gentiles to be unclean. Unless they went through the works of the law to become a proper proselyte. Tractate Yabamoth 46a A man cannot become a proper proselyte unless he has been circumcised and has also performed ritual ablution (water immersion) when therefore, no ablution has been performed he is regarded as an idolater. Gentiles received salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ Peter had just been given this revelation in Acts chapter 10. Which would seem to be why Paul rebuked Peter. Act 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful (we just read the Jews religious law for this. Again this is not in the law of Moses) thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Let’s look to history The Dead Sea scrolls. 4qmmt written 75 BC This is a Halakhic letter. Halakhic: Jewish religious law based on the written law but also includes Talmudic and rabbinical laws, customs, and traditions, many which Jesus himself stood against because they were elevated above the commandments of God. Mat 15 and Mark 7. 4Qmmt says Miqsat Ma’ase Ha Torah Which translates to Some of the works of the law. It goes on to say that The “works of the law” although are based in the Torah are actually Rabbinical Laws, customs, and traditions which men were taught to obey even if the contradict Gods written Law. 👇👇

I used to think the being under the law just simply meant you were under the law because you broke it. I was wrong. While that makes sense on the surface. Example if I’m not speeding I’m not under the traffic law but as soon I’m speeding I’m under the penalty of the law. Which makes complete sense but if we are going be honest about the scripture that definition cannot be true. Jesus never sinned.(transgressed the law) Gal 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,(old covenant)To redeem them that were under the law,(old covenant)that we might receive the 👉adoption of sons.(being born again into the new covenant where by Gods influence on our hearts we obey) I’ve heard many arguments saying we are not in the new covenant because of how Jeremiah describes it which seems like a good argument until you look at it from the prospective of being born again. Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Everyone who is genuinely born again knows the Lord. The all there is those who are born again into the new covenant. And the least of them and the greatest…. Well I’ll let Jesus explain. Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Let’s read the whole prophecy all together concerning the new covenant. Notice the order. He starts with both Houses then it goes to the house of Israel. The two become one house under the new covenant. Jer 31:31-34 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. So being under grace or the new covenant does not mean the law is done away. It just means that God himself will change our hearts and make us want to obey His Word. It should be a tell of them who refuse. Mat 7:19-20 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. What fruit? Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And those without fruit are not in the new covenant are not born again but break the Law of God. All these are written in the law. 👇👇

Under the Law In the last study we learned what Paul was talking about in using the term “works of the law” which is the religious laws of the Pharisees and not the Law of God given by Moses. Next I think we should also look at the term used “under the law” and what that means. This just simply means under the old covenant. There is much confusion on this in Gods people. Many will reject this because they don’t believe that we are even in the new covenant yet. Paul often used in conjunction with “works of law& deeds of law” which are exactly the same in the original Greek. Also know 1Jn 3-4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. Rom 3:19-20 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law(the old covenant) that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law(man’s law) there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Also when we see the term under grace used, Paul is referred to under the new covenant. When a believer becomes born again he enters into the new covenant. The covenant of grace. Let’s look at that. The word grace in the New Testament in the Greek is G5485 Greek: χάρις Transliteration: charis Pronunciation: khar'-ece Definition: From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying) of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life; So it means Gods influence on our hearts and its reflection in our lives. Let’s compare this to what scripture says about the new covenant. Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Sounds like Devine influence on your heart to me. Let’s get another witness. Ezk 11:19-20 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. Devine influence on the heart? Under grace. Rom 6:14-17 For sin (transgressing the law) shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law(old covenant)but under grace(new covenant) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law,(old covenant)but under grace?(new covenant)God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the 👉heart 👈that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Do you see it yet? Is it making sensee? 1 Co 9:20-21 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, (old covenant)as under the law, (old covenant)that I might gain them that are under the law;(old covenant)To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 👆notice how he distinguished the difference between the Jews and the Gentiles. Gentiles weren’t part of the old covenant unless they joined themselves to Israel and entered covenant. 👇👇