The Twofold Use of the Law & Gospel: Letter & Spirit

by Martin Luther (1483-1546)

The following sermon is taken from olume !""" of# The Sermons of Martin Luther, $ublishe% by &aker &ook 'ouse ((ran% )a$i%s# M")* "t was originally $ublishe% in 1+,+ in english by The Luther -ress (Minnea$olis# M.)# in a series title% Luther's Epistle Sermons, ol* 3* This e-te/t was s0anne% an% e%ite% by 1hane )osenthal for Reformation Ink 2 it is in the $ubli0 %omain an% it may be 0o$ie% an% %istribute% without restri0tion* 3riginal $agination from the &aker e%ition has been ke$t inta0t for $ur$oses of referen0e*

4 5orinthians 364-11* 7n% su0h 0onfi%en0e ha e we through 5hrist to (o%war%6 5 not that we are suffi0ient of oursel es# to a00ount anything as from oursel es2 but our suffi0ien0y is from (o%2 6 who also ma%e us suffi0ient as ministers of a new 0o enant2 not of the letter# but of the s$irit6 for the letter killeth# but the s$irit gi eth life* 8 &ut if the ministration of %eath# written# an% engra en on stones# 0ame with glory# so that the 0hil%ren of "srael 0oul% not look ste%fastly u$on the fa0e of Moses for the glory of his fa0e2 whi0h glory was $assing away6 8 how shall not rather the ministration of the s$irit be with glory9 + :or if the ministration of 0on%emnation hath glory# mu0h rather %oth the ministration of righteousness e/0ee% in glory* 1, :or erily that whi0h hath been ma%e glorious hath not been ma%e glorious in this res$e0t# by reason of the glory that sur$asseth* 11 :or if that whi0h $asseth away was with glory# mu0h more that whi0h remaineth is in glory*

(31-;L T)7.15;.<1 L7= 1* This e$istle lesson soun%s altogether strange an% won%erful to in%i i%uals una00ustome% to 10ri$ture language# $arti0ularly to that of -aul* To the ine/$erien0e% ear an% heart it is not intelligible* "n $o$e%om thus far it has remaine% >uite una$$rehen%e%# although rea%ing of the wor%s has been $ra0ti0e%* 4* That we may un%erstan% it# we must first get an i%ea of -aul?s theme* &riefly# he woul% o$$ose the ain boasting of false a$ostles an% $rea0hers 0on0erning their $ossession of

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the s$irit an% their $e0uliar skill an% gifts# by $raising an% glorifying the offi0e of a $rea0her of the (os$el with whi0h he is intruste%* :or he foun% that# es$e0ially in the 5hur0h at 5orinth# whi0h he ha% 0on erte% by the wor%s of his own li$s an% brought to faith in 5hrist# soon after his %e$arture the %e il intro%u0e% his heresies whereby the $eo$le were turne% from the truth an% betraye% into other ways* 1in0e it be0ame his %uty to make an atta0k u$on su0h heresies# he %e ote% both his e$istles to the $ur$ose of kee$ing the 5orinthians in the right way# so that they might retain the $ure %o0trine re0ei e% from him# an% beware of false s$irits* The main thing whi0h mo e% him to write this se0on% e$istle was his %esire to em$hasiAe to them his a$ostoli0 offi0e of a $rea0her of the (os$el# in or%er to $ut to shame the glory of those other tea0hers--the glory they boaste% with many wor%s an% great $retense* 3* 'e starts in on this theme Bust before he rea0hes our te/t* 7n% this is how it is he 0omes to s$eak in high terms of $raise of the ministration of the (os$el an% to 0ontrast an% 0om$are the twofol% ministration or message whi0h may be $ro0laime% in the 5hur0h# $ro i%e%# of 0ourse# that (o%?s =or% is to be $rea0he% an% not the nonsense of human falsehoo% an% the %o0trine of the %e il* 3ne is that of the 3l% Testament# the other of the .ew2 in other wor%s# the offi0e of Moses# or the Law# an% the offi0e of the (os$el of 5hrist* 'e 0ontrasts the glory an% $ower of the latter with those of the former# whi0h# it is true# is also the =or% of (o%* "n this manner he en%ea ors to %efeat the tea0hings an% $retensions of those se%u0ti e s$irits who# as he but lately foretol%# $er ert (o%Cs =or%# in that they greatly e/tol the Law of (o%# yet at best %o not tea0h its right use# but# instea% of making it tributary to faith in 5hrist# misuse it to tea0h work-righteousness* 4* 1in0e the wor%s before us are in reality a 0ontinuation of those with whi0h the 0ha$ter o$ens# the latter must be 0onsi%ere% in this 0onne0tion* =e rea%6 C7re we beginning again to 0ommen% oursel es9 or nee% we# as %o some# e$istles of 0ommen%ation to you
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or from you9 De are our e$istle# written in our hearts# known an% rea% of all men2 being ma%e manifest that ye are an e$istle of 5hrist# ministere% by us# written not with ink# but with the 1$irit of the li ing (o%2 not in tables of stone# but in tables that are hearts of flesh*C

C=e# my fellow-a$ostles an% 0o-laborers an% "#C he says# C%o not ask for letters an% seals from others 0ommen%ing us to you# or from you 0ommen%ing us to others# in or%er to se%u0e $eo$le after gaining their goo% will in your 0hur0h an% in others as well* 1u0h is the $ra0ti0e of the false a$ostles# an% many e en now $resent letters an% 0ertifi0ates from honest $rea0hers an% 5hur0hes# an% make them the means whereby their unrighteous $lotting may be re0ei e% in goo% faith* 1u0h letters# thank (o%# we stan% not in nee% of# an% you nee% not fear we shall use su0h means of %e0e$tion* :or you are yoursel es the letter we ha e written an% wherein we may $ri%e oursel es an% whi0h we $resent e erywhere* :or it is a matter of 0ommon knowle%ge that you ha e been taught by us# an% brought to 5hrist through our ministry*C -7@L?1 53.!;)T1 L"!".( ;-"1TL;1 5* "nasmu0h as his a0ti ity among them is his testimonial# an% they themsel es are aware that through his ministerial offi0e he has 0onstitute% them a 0hur0h# he 0alls them an e$istle written by himself2 not with ink an% in $aragra$hs# not on $a$er or woo%# nor engra e% u$on har% ro0k as the Ten 5omman%ments written u$on tables of stone# whi0h Moses $la0e% before the $eo$le# but written by the 'oly 1$irit u$on fleshly tables--hearts of ten%er flesh* The 1$irit is the ink or the ins0ri$tion# yes# e en the writer himself2 but the $en0il or $en an% the han% of the writer is the ministry of -aul* 6* This figure of a written e$istle is# howe er# in a00or% with 10ri$ture usage* Moses 0omman%s (<eut 666-+2 11# 18) that the "sraelites write the Ten 5omman%ments in all $la0es where they walke% or stoo% u$on the $osts of their houses# an% u$on their gates# an% e er ha e them before their eyes an% in their hearts* 7gain (-ro 864-3)# 1olomon
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says6 CEee$ my 0omman%ments an%***my law as the a$$le of thine eye* &in% them u$on thy fingers2 write them u$on the tablet of thy heart*C 'e s$eaks as a father to his 0hil% when gi ing the 0hil% an earnest 0harge to remember a 0ertain thing--C<ear 0hil%# remember this2 forget it not2 kee$ it in thy heart*C Likewise# (o% says in the book of Feremiah the $ro$het (0h* 31# 33)# C" will $ut my law in their inwar% $arts# an% in their heart will " write it*C 'ere man?s heart is re$resente% as a sheet# or slate# or $age# whereon is written the $rea0he% =or%2 for the heart is to re0ei e an% se0urely kee$ the =or%* "n this sense -aul says6 C=e ha e# by our ministry# written a booklet or letter u$on your heart# whi0h witnesses that you belie e in (o% the :ather# 1on an% 'oly (host an% ha e the assuran0e that through 5hrist you are re%eeme% an% sa e%* This testimony is what is written on your heart* The letters are not 0hara0ters tra0e% with ink or 0rayon# but the li ing thoughts# the fire an% for0e of the heart*

8* .ote further# that it is his ministry to whi0h -aul as0ribes the $re$aration of their heart thereon an% the ins0ri$tion whi0h 0onstitutes them Cli ing e$istles of 5hrist*C 'e 0ontrasts his ministry with the blin% fan0ies of those fanati0s who seek to re0ei e# an% %ream of ha ing# the 'oly 1$irit without the oral wor%2 who# $er0han0e# 0ree$ into a 0orner an% gras$ the 1$irit through %reams# %ire0ting the $eo$le away from the $rea0he% =or% an% isible ministry* &ut -aul says that the 1$irit# through his $rea0hing# has wrought in the hearts of his 5orinthians# to the en% that 5hrist li es an% is mighty in them* 7fter su0h statement he bursts into $raise of the ministerial offi0e# 0om$aring the message# or $rea0hing# of Moses with that of himself an% the a$ostles* 'e says6 C1u0h 0onfi%en0e ha e we through 5hrist to (o%war%6 not that we are suffi0ient of oursel es# to a00ount anything as from oursel es2 but our suffi0ien0y is from (o%*

T)@; -);75';)1 53MM"11"3.;< &D (3< 8* These wor%s are blows an% thrusts for the false a$ostles
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an% $rea0hers* -aul is mortal enemy to the blo0khea%s who make great boast# $reten%ing to what they %o not $ossess an% to what they 0annot %o2 who boast of ha ing the 1$irit in great measure2 who are rea%y to 0ounsel an% ai% the whole worl%2 who $ri%e themsel es on the ability to in ent something new* "t is to be a sur$assingly $re0ious an% hea enly thing they are to s$in out of their hea%s# as the %reams of $o$e an% monks ha e been in time $ast* C=e %o not so#C says -aul* C=e rely not u$on oursel es or our wis%om an% ability* =e $rea0h not what we ha e oursel es in ente%* &ut this is our boast an% trust in 5hrist before (o%# that we ha e ma%e of you a %i ine e$istle2 ha e written u$on your hearts# not our thoughts# but the =or% of (o%* =e are not# howe er# glorifying our own $ower# but the works an% the $ower of him who has 0alle% an% e>ui$$e% us for su0h an offi0e2 from whom $ro0ee%s all you ha e hear% an% belie e%* +* "t is a glory whi0h e ery $rea0her may 0laim# to be able to say with full 0onfi%en0e of heart6 CThis trust ha e " towar% (o% in 5hrist# that what " tea0h an% $rea0h is truly the =or% of (o%*C Likewise# when he $erforms other offi0ial %uties in the 5hur0h--

ba$tiAes a 0hil%# absol es an% 0omforts a sinner--it must be %one in the same firm 0on i0tion that su0h is the 0omman% of 5hrist* 1,* 'e who woul% tea0h an% e/er0ise authority in the 5hur0h without this glory# Cit is $rofitable for him#C as 5hrist says (Mt* 1866)# Cthat a great millstone shoul% be hange% about his ne0k# an% that he shoul% be sunk in the %e$ths of the sea*C :or the %e il?s lies he $rea0hes# an% %eath is what he effe0ts* 3ur -a$ists# in time $ast# after mu0h an% long-0ontinue% tea0hing# after many in entions an% works whereby they ho$e% to be sa e%# ne ertheless always %oubte% in heart an% min% whether or no they ha% $lease% (o%* The tea0hing an% works of all hereti0s an% se%itious s$irits 0ertainly %o not bes$eak for them trust in 5hrist2 their own glory is the obBe0t of their tea0hing# an% the homage an% $raise of the $eo$le is the goal of their %esire*
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C.ot that we are suffi0ient of oursel es# to a00ount anything as from oursel es*C 11* 7s sai% before# this is s$oken in %enun0iation of the false s$irits who belie e that by reason of eminent e>ui$ment of s$e0ial 0reation an% ele0tion# they are 0alle% to 0ome to the res0ue of the $eo$le# e/$e0ting won%ers from whate er they say an% %o*

'@M7. <35T)".; .3 -L75; ". T'; 5'@)5' 14* .ow# we know oursel es to be of the same 0lay whereof they are ma%e2 in%ee%# we $erha$s ha e the greater 0all from (o%6 yet we 0annot boast of being 0a$able of oursel es to a% ise or ai% men* =e 0annot e en originate an i%ea 0al0ulate% to gi e hel$* 7n% when it 0omes to the knowle%ge of how one may stan% before (o% an% attain to eternal life# that is truly not to be a0hie e% by our work or $ower# nor to originate in our brain* "n other things# those $ertaining to this tem$oral life# you may glory in what Dou know# you may a% an0e the tea0hings of reason# you may in ent i%eas of your own2 for e/am$le6 how to make shoes or 0lothes# how to go ern a househol%# how to manage a her%* "n su0h things e/er0ise your min% to the best of your ability* 5loth or leather of this sort will $ermit itself to be stret0he% an% 0ut a00or%ing to the goo% $leasure of the tailor or shoemaker* &ut in s$iritual matters# human reasoning 0ertainly is not in or%er2 other intelligen0e# other skill an% $ower# are re>uisite here--something to be grante% by (o% himself an% re eale% through his =or%* 13* =hat mortal has e er %is0o ere% or fathome% the truth that the three $ersons in the eternal %i ine essen0e are one (o%2 that the se0on% $erson# the 1on of (o%# was

oblige% to be0ome man# born of a irgin2 an% that no way of life 0oul% be o$ene% for us# sa e through his 0ru0ifi/ion9 1u0h truth ne er woul% ha e been hear% nor $rea0he%# woul% ne er in all eternity ha e been $ublishe%# learne% an% belie e%# ha% not (o% himself re eale% it* 14* :or this season they are blin% fools of first magnitu%e an% %angerous 0hara0ters who woul% boast of their gran% $erforman0es# an% think that the $eo$le are ser e% when they
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$rea0h their own fan0ies an% in entions* "t has been the $ra0ti0e in the 5hur0h for anyone to intro%u0e any tea0hing he saw fit2 for e/am$le# the monks an% $riests ha e %aily $ro%u0e% new saints# $ilgrimages# s$e0ial $rayers# works an% sa0rifi0es in the effort to blot out sin# re%eem souls from $urgatory# an% so on* They who make u$ things of this kin% are not su0h as $ut their trust in (o% through 5hrist# but rather su0h as %efy (o% an% 5hrist* "nto the hearts of men# where 5hrist alone shoul% be# they sho e the filth an% write the lies of the %e il* Det they think themsel es# an% themsel es only# >ualifie% for all essential tea0hing an% work# self-grown %o0tors that they are# saints all-$owerful without the hel$ of (o% an% 5hrist* C&ut our suffi0ien0y is from (o%*C 15* 3f oursel es--in our own wis%om an% strength--we 0annot effe0t# %is0o er nor tea0h any 0ounsel or hel$ for man# whether for oursel es or others* 7ny goo% work we $erform among you# any %o0trine we write u$on your heart that is (o%?s own work* 'e $uts into our heart an% mouth what we shoul% say# an% im$resses it u$on your heart through the 'oly 1$irit* Therefore# we 0annot as0ribe to oursel es any honor therein# 0annot seek our own glory as the self-instru0te% an% $rou% s$irits %o2 we must gi e to (o% alone the honor# an% must glory in the fa0t that by his gra0e an% $ower he works in you unto 1al ation# through the offi0e 0ommitte% unto us* 16* .ow# -aul?s thought here is that nothing shoul% be taught an% $ra0ti0e% in the 5hur0h but what is un>uestionably (o%?s =or%* "t will not %o to intro%u0e or $erform anything whate er u$on the strength of man?s Bu%gment* Man?s a0hie ements# man?s reasoning an% $ower# are of no a ail sa e in so far as they 0ome from (o%* 7s -eter says in his first e$istle (0h* 4611)6 C"f any man s$eaketh# s$eaking as it were ora0les of (o%2 if any man ministereth# ministering as of the strength whi0h (o% su$$lieth*C "n short# let him who woul% be wise# who woul% boast of great skill# talents an% $ower# 0onfine himself to things other than s$iritual2 with res$e0t to s$iritual matters# let him kee$ his $la0e an%
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refrain from boasting an% $retense* :or it is of no moment that men obser e your greatness an% ability2 the im$ortant thing is that $oor souls may rest assure% of being $resente% with (o%?s =or% an% works# whereby they may be sa e%* C=ho also ma%e us suffi0ient as ministers of a new 0o enant2 not of the letter# but of the s$irit6 for the letter killeth# but the s$irit gi eth life*C

T'; .;= 53!;.7.T 18* -aul here $ro0ee%s to e/alt the offi0e an% $ower of the (os$el o er the glorying of the false a$ostles# an% to ele ate the $ower of the =or% abo e that of all other %o0trine# e en of the Law of (o%* Truly we are not suffi0ient of oursel es an% ha e nothing to boast of so far as human a0ti ity is 0onsi%ere%* :or that is without merit or $ower# howe er strenuous the effort may be to fulfil (o%?s Law* =e ha e# howe er# something infinitely better to boast of# something not groun%e% in our own a0ti ity6 by (o% we ha e been ma%e suffi0ient for a noble ministry# terme% the ministry Cof a .ew 5o enant*C This ministry is not only e/alte% far abo e any tea0hing to be e ol e% by human wis%om# skill an% $ower# but is more glorious than the ministry terme% the C3l% 5o enant#C whi0h in time $ast was %eli ere% to the Fews through Moses* =hile this ministry 0lings# in 0ommon with other %o0trine# to the =or% gi en by re elation# it is the agen0y whereby the 'oly 1$irit works in the heart* Therefore# -aul says it is not a ministration of the letter# but CCof the s$irit*C

C1-")"TC G CL;TT;)C 18* This $assage relati e to s$irit an% letter has in the $ast been wholly strange language to us* "n%ee%# to su0h e/tent has man?s nonsensi0al inter$retation $er erte% an% weakene% it that "# through a learne% %o0tor of the holy 10ri$tures# faile% to un%erstan% it altogether# an% " 0oul% fin% no one to tea0h me* 7n% to this %ay it is unintelligible to all $o$e%om* "n fa0t# e en the ol% tea0hers--3rigen# Ferome an% others--ha e not 0aught -aul?s thought* 7n% no won%er# trulyH :or it is essentially a %o0trine far beyon% the $ower of man?s intelligen0e to 0om$rehen%* =hen human
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reason me%%les with it# it be0omes $er$le/e%* The %o0trine is wholly unintelligible to it# for human thought goes no farther than the Law an% the Ten 5omman%ments* Laying hol% u$on these it 0onfines itself to them* "t %oes not attem$t to %o more# being

go erne% by the $rin0i$le that unto him who fulfils the %eman%s of the Law# or 0omman%ments# (o% is gra0ious* )eason knows nothing about the wret0he%ness of %e$ra e% nature* "t %oes not re0ogniAe the fa0t that no man is able to kee$ (o%?s 0omman%ments2 that all are un%er sin an% 0on%emnation2 an% that the only way whereby hel$ 0oul% be re0ei e% was for (o% to gi e his 1on for the worl%# or%aining another ministration# one through whi0h gra0e an% re0on0iliation might be $ro0laime% to us* .ow# he who %oes not un%erstan% the sublime subBe0t of whi0h -aul s$eaks 0annot but miss the true meaning of his wor%s* 'ow mu0h more %i% we in ite this fate when we threw the 10ri$tures an% 1aint -aul?s e$istles un%er the ben0h# an%# like swine in husks# wallowe% in man?s nonsenseH Therefore# we must submit to 0orre0tion an% learn to un%erstan% the a$ostle?s utteran0e aright* 1+* CLetterC an% Cs$iritC ha e been un%erstoo% to mean# a00or%ing to 3rigen an% Ferome# the ob ious sense of the written wor%* 1t* 7ugustine# it must be a%mitte%# has gotten an inkling of the truth* .ow# the $osition of the former tea0hers woul% $erha$s not be >uite in0orre0t %i% they 0orre0tly e/$lain the wor%s* &y Cliterary senseC they signify the meaning of a 10ri$ture narrati e a00or%ing to the or%inary inter$retation of the wor%s* &y Cs$iritual senseC they signify the se0on%ary# hi%%en sense foun% in the wor%s* :or instan0e6 The 10ri$ture narrati e in (enesis thir% re0or%s how the ser$ent $ersua%e% the woman to eat of the forbi%%en fruit an% to gi e to her husban%# who also ate* This narrati e in its sim$lest meaning re$resents what they un%erstan% by Cletter*C C1$irit#C howe er# they un%erstan% to mean the s$iritual inter$retation# whi0h is thus6 The ser$ent signifies the e il tem$tation whi0h lures to sin* The woman re$resents the sensual state# or the s$here in whi0h su0h enti0ements an% tem$tations make themsel es
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felt* 7%am# the man# stan%s for reason# whi0h is 0alle% man?s highest en%owment* .ow# when reason %oes not yiel% to the allurements of e/ternal sense# all is well2 but when it $ermits itself to wa er an% 0onsent# the fall has taken $la0e* 4,* 3rigen was the first to trifle thus with the holy 10ri$tures# an% many others followe%# until now it is thought to be the sign of great 0le erness for the 5hur0h to be fille% with su0h >uibblings* The aim is to imitate -aul# who ((al 4244-44) figurati ely inter$rets the story of 7braham?s two sons# the one by the free woman# or the mistress of the house# an% the other by the han%-mai%* The two women# -aul says# re$resent the two 0o enants6 one 0o enant makes only bon%ser ants# whi0h is Bust what he in our te/t terms the ministration of the letter2 the other lea%s to liberty# or# as he says here# the ministration of the s$irit# whi0h gi es life* 7n% the two sons are the two $eo$les#

one of whi0h %oes not go farther than the Law# while the other a00e$ts in faith the (os$el* True# this is an inter$retation not %ire0tly suggeste% by the narrati e an% the te/t* -aul himself 0alls it an allegory2 that is# a mysti0 narrati e# or a story with a hi%%en meaning* &ut he %oes not say that the literal te/t is ne0essarily the letter that killeth# an% the allegory# or hi%%en meaning# the s$irit* &ut the false tea0hers assert of all 10ri$ture that the te/t# or re0or% itself# is but a %ea% Cletter#C its inter$retation being Cthe s$irit*C Det they ha e not $ushe% inter$retation farther than the tea0hing of the Law2 an% it is $re0isely the Law whi0h -aul means when he s$eaks of Cthe letter*C 41* -aul em$loys the wor% CletterC in su0h 0ontem$tuous sense in referen0e to the Law--though the Law is# ne ertheless# the =or% of (o%--when he 0om$ares it with the ministry of the (os$el* The letter is to him the %o0trine of
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the Ten 5omman%ments# whi0h tea0h how we shoul% obey (o%# honor $arents# lo e our neighbor# an% so on--the ery best %o0trine to be foun% in all books# sermons an% s0hools* The wor% CletterC is to the a$ostle -aul e erything whi0h may take the form of %o0trine# of literary arrangement# of re0or%# so long as it remains something s$oken or written* 7lso thoughts whi0h may be $i0ture% or e/$resse% by wor% or writing# but it is not that whi0h is written in the heart# to be0ome its life* CLetterC is the whole Law of Moses# or the Ten 5omman%ments# though the su$reme authority of su0h tea0hing is not %enie%* "t matters not whether you hear them# rea% them# or re$ro%u0e them mentally* :or instan0e# when " sit %own to me%itate u$on the first 0omman%ment6 CThou shalt ha e no other go%s before me#C or the se0on%# or the thir%# an% so forth# " ha e something whi0h " 0an rea%# write# %is0uss# an% aim to fulfil with all my might* The $ro0ess is >uite similar when the em$eror or $rin0e gi es a 0omman% an% says6 CThis you shall %o# that you shall es0hew*C This is what the a$ostle 0alls Cthe letter#C or# as we ha e 0alle% it on another o00asion# the written sense* 44* .ow# as o$$ose% to Cthe letter#C there is another %o0trine or message# whi0h he terms the Cministration of a .ew 5o enantC an% Cof the 1$irit*C This %o0trine %oes not tea0h what works are re>uire% of man# for that man has alrea%y hear%2 but it makes known to him what (o% woul% %o for him an% bestow u$on him# in%ee% what he has alrea%y %one6 he has gi en his 1on 5hrist for us2 be0ause# for our %isobe%ien0e to the Law# whi0h no man fulfils# we were un%er (o%?s wrath an% 0on%emnation* 5hrist ma%e satisfa0tion for our sins# effe0te% a re0on0iliation with (o% an% ga e to us his own righteousness* .othing is sai% in this ministration of man?s %ee%s2 it tells rather of

the works of 5hrist# who is uni>ue in that he was born of a irgin# %ie% for sin an% rose from the %ea%# something no other man has been able to %o* This %o0trine is re eale% through none but the 'oly 1$irit# an% none other 0onfers the 'oly 1$irit* The 'oly 1$irit works in the hearts of them who hear an%
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a00e$t the %o0trine* Therefore# this ministration is terme% a ministration Cof the 1$irit*C 43* The a$ostle em$loys the wor%s CletterC an% Cs$irit#C to 0ontrast the two %o0trines2 to em$hasiAe his offi0e an% show its a% antage o er all others# howe er eminent the tea0hers whom they boast# an% howe er great the s$iritual un0tion whi0h they aunt* "t is of %esign that he %oes not term the two %is$ensations CLawC an% C(os$el#C but names them a00or%ing to the res$e0ti e effe0ts $ro%u0e%* 'e honors the (os$el with a su$erior term--Cministration of the s$irit*C 3f the Law# on the 0ontrary# he s$eaks almost 0ontem$tuously# as if he woul% not honor it with the title of (o%?s 0omman%ment# whi0h in reality it is# a00or%ing to his own a%mission later on that its %eli eran0e to Moses an% its inBun0tion u$on the 0hil%ren of "srael was an o00asion of sur$assing glory* 44* =hy %oes -aul 0hoose this metho%9 "s it right for one to %es$ise or %ishonor (o%?s Law9 "s not a 0haste an% honorable life a matter of beauty an% go%liness9 1u0h fa0ts# it may be 0onten%e%# are im$lante% by (o% in reason itself# an% all books tea0h them2 they are the go erning for0e in the worl%* " re$ly6 -aul?s 0hief 0on0ern is to %efeat the ainglory an% $retensions of false $rea0hers# an% to tea0h them the right 0on0e$tion an% a$$re0iation of the (os$el whi0h he $ro0laime%* =hat -aul means is this6 =hen the Fews aunt their Law of Moses# whi0h was re0ei e% as Law from (o% an% re0or%e% u$on two tables of stone2 when they aunt their learne% an% saintly $rea0hers of the Law an% its e/$onents# an% hol% their %ee%s an% manner of life u$ to a%miration# what is all that 0om$are% to the (os$el message9 The 0laim may be well ma%e6 a fine sermon# a s$len%i% e/$osition2 but# after all# nothing more 0omes of it than $re0e$ts# e/$ositions# written 0omments* The $re0e$t# CThou shalt lo e the Lor% thy (o% with all thy heart# an% thy neighbor as thyself#C remains a mere array of wor%s* =hen mu0h time an% effort ha e been s$ent in 0onforming one?s life to it# nothing has been a00om$lishe%* Dou ha e $o%s without $eas# husks without kernels*
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45* :or it is im$ossible to kee$ the Law without 5hrist# though man may# for the sake of honor or $ro$erty# or from fear of $unishment# feign outwar% holiness* The heart whi0h %oes not %is0ern (o%?s gra0e in 5hrist 0annot turn to (o% nor trust in him2 it 0annot lo e his 0omman%ments an% %elight in them# but rather resists them* :or nature

rebels at 0om$ulsion* .o man likes to be a 0a$ti e in 0hains* 3ne %oes not oluntarily bow to the ro% of $unishment or submit to the e/e0utioner?s swor%2 rather# be0ause of these things# his anger against the Law is but in0rease%# an% he e er thinks6 C=oul% that " might unhin%ere% steal# rob# hoar%# gratify my lust# an% so onHC 7n% when restraine% by for0e# he woul% there were no Law an% no (o%* 7n% this is the 0ase where 0on%u0t shows some effe0ts of %is0i$line# in that the outer man has been subBe0te% to the tea0hing of the Law* 46* &ut in a far more a$$alling %egree %oes inwar% rebellion ensue when the heart feels the full for0e of the Law2 when# stan%ing before (o%?s Bu%gment# it feels the senten0e of 0on%emnation2 as we shall $resently hear# for the a$ostle says Cthe letter killeth*C Then the truly har% knots a$$ear* 'uman nature fumes an% rages against the Law2 offenses a$$ear in the heart# the fruit of hate an% enmity against the Law2 an% $resently human nature flees before (o% an% is in0ense% at (o%?s Bu%gment* "t begins to >uestion the e>uity of his %ealings# to ask if he is a Bust (o%* "nfluen0e% by su0h thoughts# it falls e er %ee$er into %oubt# it murmurs an% 0hafes# until finally# unless the (os$el 0omes to the res0ue# it utterly %es$airs# as %i% Fu%as# an% 1aul# an% $erha$s $ass out of this life with (o% an% 0reation* This is what -aul means when he says ()om 868-+) that the Law works sin in the heart of man# an% sin works %eath# or kills* 48* Dou see# then# why the Law is 0alle% Cthe letterC6 though noble %o0trine# it remains on the surfa0e2 it %oes not enter the heart as a ital for0e whi0h begets obe%ien0e* 1u0h is the baseness of human nature# it will not an% 0annot 0onform to the Law2 an% so 0orru$t is mankin%# there is no in%i i%ual who %oes not iolate all (o%?s 0omman%ments in
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s$ite of %aily hearing the $rea0he% =or% an% ha ing hel% u$ to iew (o%?s wrath an% eternal 0on%emnation* "n%ee%# the har%er $resse% man is# the more furiously he storms against the Law* 48* The substan0e of the matter is this6 =hen all the 0omman%ments ha e been $ut together# when their message re0ei es e ery $arti0le of $raise to whi0h it is entitle%# it is still a mere letter* That is# tea0hing not $ut into $ra0ti0e* &y CletterC is signifie% all manner of law# %o0trine an% message# whi0h goes no farther than the oral or written wor%# whi0h 0onsists only of the $owerless letter* To illustrate6 7 law $romulgate% by a $rin0e or the authorities of a 0ity# if not enfor0e%# remains merely an o$en letter# whi0h makes a %eman% in%ee%# but ineffe0tually* 1imilarly# (o%?s Law# although a tea0hing of su$reme authority an% the eternal will of (o%# must suffer itself to be0ome a mere em$ty letter or husk* =ithout a >ui0kening heart# an% %e oi% of fruit# the Law is $owerless to effe0t life an% sal ation* "t may well be 0alle% a eritable table of

omissions (Lass-tafel)2 that is# it is a written enumeration# not of %uties $erforme% but of %uties 0ast asi%e* "n the languages of the worl%# it is a royal e%i0t whi0h remains unobser e% an% un$erforme%* "n this light 1t* 7ugustine un%erstoo% the Law* 'e says# 0ommenting on -salm 18# C=hat is Law without gra0e but a letter without s$irit9C 'uman nature# without the ai% of 5hrist an% his gra0e# 0annot kee$ it* 4+* 7gain# -aul in terming the (os$el a Cministration of the s$iritC woul% 0all attention to its $ower to $ro%u0e in the hearts of men an effe0t wholly %ifferent from that of the Law6 it is a00om$anie% by the 'oly 1$irit an% it 0reates a new heart* Man# %ri en into fear an% an/iety by the $rea0hing of the Law# hears this (os$el message# whi0h# instea% of remin%ing him of (o%?s %eman%s# tells him what (o% has %one for him* "t $oints not to man?s works# but to the works of 5hrist# an% bi%s him 0onfi%ently belie e that for the sake of his 1on (o% will forgi e his sins an% a00e$t him as his 0hil%* 7n% this message# when re0ei e% in faith# imme%iately 0heers an% 0omforts the heart* The heart will
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no longer flee from (o%2 rather it turns to him* :in%ing gra0e with (o% an% e/$erien0ing his mer0y# the heart feels %rawn to him* "t 0ommen0es to 0all u$on him an% to treat an% re ere him as its belo e% (o%* "n $ro$ortion as su0h faith an% sola0e grow# also lo e for the 0omman%ments will grow an% obe%ien0e to them will be man?s %elight* Therefore# (o% woul% ha e his (os$el message urge% un0easingly as the means of awakening man?s heart to %is0ern his state an% re0all the great gra0e an% lo ingkin%ness of (o%# with the result that the $ower of the 'oly 1$irit is in0rease% 0onstantly* .ote# no influen0e of the Law# no work of man is $resent here* The for0e is a new an% hea enly one--the $ower of the 'oly 1$irit* 'e im$resses u$on the heart 5hrist an% his works# making of it a true book whi0h %oes not 0onsist in the tra0ery of mere letters an% wor%s# but in true life an% a0tion* 3,* (o% $romise% of ol%# in Foel 4648 an% other $assages# to gi e the 1$irit through the new message# the (os$el* 7n% he has erifie% his $romise by $ubli0 manifestations in 0onne0tion with the $rea0hing of that (os$el# as on the %ay of -ente0ost an% again later* =hen the a$ostles# -eter an% others# began to $rea0h# the 'oly 1$irit %es0en%e% isibly from hea en u$on their hearts* 70ts 86182 1,644* @$ to that time# throughout the $erio% the Law was $rea0he%# no one ha% hear% or seen su0h manifestation* The fa0t 0oul% not but be gras$e% that this was a astly %ifferent message from that of the Law when su0h mighty results followe% in its train* 7n% yet its substan0e was no more than what -aul %e0lare% (70ts 13638-3+)6 CThrough this man is $ro0laime% unto you remission of sins6 an% by him e ery one that belie eth is Bustifie% from all things# from whi0h ye 0oul% not be Bustifie% by the law of Moses*C

31* "n this tea0hing you see no more the em$ty letters# the alueless husks or shells of the Law# whi0h un0easingly enBoins*# CThis thou shalt %o an% obser e#C an% e er in ain* Dou see instea% the true kernel an% $ower whi0h 0onfers 5hrist an% the fullness of 'is 1$irit* "n 0onse>uen0e# men heartily belie e the message of the (os$el an% enBoy its
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ri0hes* They are a00ounte% as ha ing fulfille% the Ten 5omman%ments* Fohn says (Fn 1616-18)6 C3f his fullness we all re0ei e%# an% gra0e for gra0e* :or the Law was gi en through Moses2 gra0e an% truth 0ame through Fesus 5hrist*C Fohn?s thought is6 The Law has in%ee% been gi en by Moses# but what a ails that fa0t9 To be sure# it is a noble %o0trine an% $ortrays a beautiful an% instru0ti e $i0ture of man?s %uty to (o% an% all mankin%2 it is really e/0ellent as to the letter* Det it remains em$ty2 it %oes not enter into the heart* Therefore it is 0alle% Claw#C nor 0an it be0ome aught else# so long as nothing more is gi en*

5')"1T 1@-;)1;<;1 M31;1 &efore there 0an be fulfilment# another than Moses must 0ome# bringing another %o0trine* "nstea% of a law enBoine%# there must be gra0e an% truth re eale%* :or to enBoin a 0omman% an% to embo%y the truth are two %ifferent things2 Bust as tea0hing an% %oing %iffer* Moses# it is true# tea0hes the %o0trine of the Law# so far as e/$osition is 0on0erne%# but he 0an neither fulfil it himself nor gi e others the ability to %o so* That it might be fulfille%# (o%?s 1on ha% to 0ome with his fullness2 he has fulfille% the Law for himself an% it is he who 0ommuni0ates to our em$ty heart the $ower to attain to the same fullness* This be0omes $ossible when we re0ei e gra0e for gra0e# that is# when we 0ome to the enBoyment of 5hrist# an% for the sake of him who enBoys with (o% fullness of gra0e# although our own obe%ien0e to the Law is still im$erfe0t* &eing $ossesse% of sola0e an% gra0e# we re0ei e by his $ower the 'oly 1$irit also# so that# instea% of harboring mere em$ty letters within us# we 0ome to the truth an% begin to fulfil (o%?s Law# in su0h a way# howe er# that we %raw from his fullness an% %rink from that as a fountain*

5')"1T T'; 13@)5; 3: L":; ();7T;) T'7. 7<7M T'; 13@)5; 3: <;7T'

34* -aul gi es us the same thought in )omans 5618-18# where he 0om$ares 7%am an% 5hrist* 7%am# he says# by his
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%isobe%ien0e in -ara%ise# be0ame the sour0e of sin an% %eath in the worl%2 by the sin of this one man# 0on%emnation $asse% u$on all men* &ut on the other han%# 5hrist# by his obe%ien0e an% righteousness# has be0ome for us the abun%ant sour0e wherefrom all may obtain righteousness an% the $ower of obe%ien0e* 7n% with res$e0t to the latter sour0e# it is far ri0her an% more abun%ant than the former* =hile by the single sin of one man# sin an% %eath $asse% u$on all men# to wa/ still more $owerful with the a% ent of the Law# of su0h sur$assing strength an% greatness# on the other han%# is the gra0e an% bounty whi0h we ha e in 5hrist that it not only washes away the $arti0ular sin of the one man 7%am# whi0h# until 5hrist 0ame# o erwhelme% all men in %eath# but o erwhelms an% blots out all sin whate er* Thus they who re0ei e his fullness of gra0e an% bounty unto righteousness are# a00or%ing to -aul# lor%s of life through Fesus 5hrist alone*

T'; L7= ".;::;5T@7L 33* Dou see now how the two messages %iffer# an% why -aul e/alts the one# the $rea0hing of the (os$el# an% 0alls it a Cministration of the s$irit#C but terms the other# the Law# a mere em$ty Cletter*C 'is obBe0t is to humble the $ri%e of the false a$ostles an% $rea0hers whi0h they felt in their Fu%aism an% the law of Moses# telling the $eo$le with bol% $retensions6 C&elo e%# let -aul $rea0h what he will# he 0annot o erthrow Moses# who on Mount 1inai re0ei e% the Law# (o%?s irre o0able 0omman%# obe%ien0e to whi0h is e er the only way to sal ation*C 34* 1imilarly to%ay# -a$ists# 7naba$tists an% other se0ts make out0ry6 C=hat mean you by $rea0hing so mu0h about faith an% 5hrist9 7re the $eo$le thereby ma%e better9 1urely works are essential*C 7rguments of this 0hara0ter ha e in%ee% a semblan0e of merit# but# when e/amine% by the light of truth# are mere em$ty# worthless twa%%le* :or if %ee%s# or works# are to be 0onsi%ere%# there are the Ten 5omman%ments2 we tea0h an% $ra0ti0e these as well as they* The 5omman%ments woul% answer the $ur$ose in%ee%--if one 0oul% $rea0h them so effe0ti ely as to 0om$el their fulfilment*
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&ut the >uestion is# whether what is $rea0he% is also $ra0ti0e%* "s there something more than were wor%s--or letters# as -aul says9 <o the wor%s result in life an% s$irit9

This message we ha e in 0ommon2 un>uestionably# one must tea0h the Ten 5omman%ments# an%# what is more# li e them* &ut we 0harge that they are not obser e%* Therefore something else is re>uisite in or%er to ren%er obe%ien0e to them $ossible* =hen Moses an% the Law are ma%e to say6 CDou shoul% %o thus2 (o% %eman%s this of you#C what %oes it $rofit9 7y# belo e% Moses# " hear that $lainly# an% it is 0ertainly a righteous 0omman%2 but $ray tell me when0e shall " obtain ability to %o what# alas# " ne er ha e %one nor 0an %o9 "t is not easy to s$en% money from an em$ty $o0ket# or to %rink from an em$ty 0an* "f " am to $ay my %ebt# or to >uen0h my thirst# tell me how first to fill $o0ket or 0an* &ut u$on this $oint su0h $rattlers are silent2 they but 0ontinue to %ri e an% $lague with the Law# let the $eo$le sti0k to their sins# an% make merry of them to their own hurt* 35* "n this light -aul here $ortrays the false a$ostles an% like $erni0ious s0hismati0s# who make great boasts of ha ing a 0learer un%erstan%ing an% of knowing mu0h better what to tea0h than is the 0ase with true $rea0hers of the (os$el* 7n% when they %o their ery best# when they $reten% great things# an% %o won%ers with their $rea0hing# there is naught but the mere em$ty Cletter*C "n%ee%# their message falls far short of Moses* Moses was a noble $rea0her# truly# an% wrought greater things than any of them may %o* .e ertheless# the %o0trine of the Law 0oul% %o no more than remain a letter# an 3l% Testament# an% (o% ha% to or%ain a %ifferent %o0trine# a .ew Testament# whi0h shoul% im$art the Cs$irit*C C"t is the letter#C says -aul# Cwhi0h we $rea0h* "f any glorying is to be %one# we 0an glory in better things an% make the %efiant $lea that they are not the only tea0hers of what ought to be %one# in0a$able as they are of 0arrying out their own $re0e$ts* =e gi e %ire0tion an% $ower as to $erforming an% li ing those $re0e$ts* :or this reason our message is not 0alle% the 3l% Testament# or the message of
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the %ea% letter# but that of the .ew Testament an% of the li ing 1$irit*C 36* .o se%itious s$irit# it is 0ertain# e er 0arries out its own $re0e$ts# nor will he e er be 0a$able of %oing so# though he may lou%ly boast the 1$irit alone as his gui%e* 3f this fa0t you may rest assure%* :or su0h in%i i%uals know nothing more than the %o0trine of works--nor 0an they rise higher an% $oint you to anything else* They may in%ee% s$eak of 5hrist# but it is only to hol% him u$ as an e/am$le of $atien0e in suffering* "n short# there 0an be no .ew Testament $rea0he% if the %o0trine of faith in 5hrist be left out2 the s$irit 0annot enter into the heart# but all tea0hing# en%ea or# refle0tion# works an% $ower remain mere Cletters#C %e oi% of gra0e# truth# an% life* =ithout 5hrist the heart remains un0hange% an% unrenewe%* "t has no more $ower to

fulfil the Law than the book in whi0h the Ten 5omman%ments are written# or the stones u$on whi0h engra e%* C:or the letter killeth# but the s$irit gi eth life*C 38* 'ere is yet stronger 0on%emnation of the glory of the %o0trine of the Law2 yet higher e/altation of the (os$el ministry* "s the a$ostle o erbol% in that he %ares thus to assail the Law an% say6 CThe Law is not only a lifeless letter# but >ualifie% merely to killC9 1urely that is not 0alling the Law a goo% an% $rofitable message# but one altogether harmful* =ho# unless he woul% be a 0urse% hereti0 in the eyes of the worl% an% in ite e/e0ution as a blas$hemer# woul% %are to s$eak thus# e/0e$t -aul himself9 ; en -aul must $raise the Law# whi0h is (o%?s 0omman%# %e0laring it goo% an% not to be %es$ise% nor in any way mo%ifie%# but to be 0onfirme% an% fulfille% so 0om$letely# as 5hrist says (Mt 5618)# that not a tittle of it shall $ass away* 'ow# then# %oes -aul 0ome to s$eak so %is$aragingly# e en abusi ely# of the Law# a0tually $resenting it as eritable %eath an% $oison9 =ell# his is a sublime %o0trine# one that reason %oes not un%erstan%* The worl%# $arti0ularly they =ho woul% be 0alle% holy an% go%ly# 0annot tolerate it at all2 for it amounts to nothing short of $ronoun0ing all our works# howe er $re0ious# mere %eath an% $oison*
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38* -aul?s $ur$ose is to bring about the 0om$lete o erthrow of the boast of the false tea0hers an% hy$o0rites# an% to re eal the weakness of their %o0trine# showing how little it effe0ts e en at its best# sin0e it offers only the Law# 5hrist remaining un$ro0laime% an% unknown* They say in terms of ainglorious elo>uen0e that if a man %iligently kee$ the 0omman%ments an% %o many goo% works# he shall be sa e%* &ut theirs are only ain wor%s# a $erni0ious %o0trine* This fa0t is e entually learne% by him who# ha ing hear% no other %o0trine# trusts in their false one* 'e fin%s out that it hol%s neither 0omfort nor $ower of life# but only %oubt an% an/iety# followe% by %eath an% %estru0tion*

T;))3)1 3: T'; L7= 3+* =hen man# 0ons0ious of his failure to kee$ (o%?s 0omman%# is 0onstantly urge% by the Law to make $ayment of his %ebt an% 0onfronte% with nothing but the terrible wrath of (o% an% eternal 0on%emnation# he 0annot but sink into %es$air o er his sins* 1u0h is the ine itable 0onse>uen0e where the Law alone is taught with a iew to attaining hea en thereby* The anity of su0h trust in works is illustrate% in the 0ase of the note% hermit mentione% in !itae -atrum* (Li es of the :athers)* :or o er se enty years this hermit ha% le% a life of utmost austerity# an% ha% many followers* =hen the hour of %eath 0ame he began to tremble# an% for three %ays was in a state of agony* 'is

%is0i$les 0ame to 0omfort him# e/horting him to %ie in $ea0e sin0e he ha% le% so holy a life* &ut he re$lie%6 C7las# " truly ha e all my life ser e% 5hrist an% li e% austerely2 but (o%?s Bu%gment greatly %iffers from that of men*C 4,* .ote# this worthy man# %es$ite the holiness of his life# has no a0>uaintan0e with any arti0le but that of the %i ine Bu%gment a00or%ing to the Law* 'e knows not the 0omfort of 5hrist?s (os$el* 7fter a long life s$ent in the attem$t to kee$ (o%?s 0omman%ments an% se0ure sal ation# the Law now slays him through his own works* 'e is 0om$elle% to e/0laim6 C7las# who knows how (o% will look u$on my efforts9 =ho may stan% before him9C That means# to forfeit hea en through the er%i0t of his own
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0ons0ien0e* The work he has wrought an% his holiness of life a ail nothing* They merely $ush him %ee$er into %eath# sin0e he is without the sola0e of the (os$el# while others# su0h as the thief on the 0ross an% the $ubli0an# gras$ the 0omfort of the (os$el# the forgi eness of sins in 5hrist* Thus sin is 0on>uere%2 they es0a$e the senten0e of the Law# an% $ass through %eath into life eternal*

;::"575D 3: T'; (31-;L 41* .ow the meaning of the 0ontrasting 0lause# Cthe s$irit gi eth life#C be0omes 0lear* The referen0e is to naught else but the holy (os$el# a message of healing an% sal ation2 a $re0ious# 0omforting wor%* "t 0omforts an% refreshes the sa% heart* "t wrests it out of the Baws of %eath an% hell# as it were# an% trans$orts it to the 0ertain ho$e of eternal life# through faith in 5hrist* =hen the last hour 0omes to the belie er# an% %eath an% (o%?s Bu%gment a$$ear before his eyes# he %oes not base his 0omfort u$on his works* ; en though he may ha e li e% the holiest life $ossible# he says with -aul (1 5or* 464)6 C" know nothing against myself# yet am " not hereby Bustifie%*C 44* These wor%s im$ly being ill $lease% with self# with the whole life# in%ee%# e en the $utting to %eath of self* Though the heart says# C&y my works " am neither ma%e righteous nor sa e%#C whi0h is $ra0ti0ally a%mitting oneself to be worthy of %eath an% 0on%emnation# the 1$irit e/tri0ates from %es$air# through the (os$el faith# whi0h 0onfesses# as %i% 1t* &ernar% in the hour of %eath6 C<ear Lor% Fesus# " am aware that my life at its best has been but worthy of 0on%emnation# but " trust in the fa0t that thou hast %ie% for me an% hast s$rinkle% me with bloo% from thy holy woun%s* :or " ha e been ba$tiAe% in thy name an% ha e gi en hee% to thy =or% whereby thou hast 0alle% me# awar%e% me gra0e an% life# an% bi%%en me belie e* "n this assuran0e will " $ass

out of life2 not in un0ertainty an% an/iety# thinking# ?=ho knows what senten0e (o% in hea en will $ass u$on me9?C The 5hristian must not utter su0h a >uestion* The senten0e against his life an% works has long sin0e been $asse%
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by the Law* Therefore# he must 0onfess himself guilty an% 0on%emne%* &ut he li es by the gra0ious Bu%gment of (o% %e0lare% from hea en# whereby the senten0e of the Law is o errule% an% re erse%* "t is this6 C'e that belie eth on the 1on hath eternal lifeC (Fn* 3636)* 43* =hen the 0onsolation of the (os$el has on0e been re0ei e% an% it has wreste% the heart from %eath an% the terrors of hell# the 1$irit?s influen0e is felt* &y its $ower (o%?s Law begins to li e in man?s heart2 he lo es it# %elights in it an% enters u$on its fulfilment* Thus eternal life begins here# being 0ontinue% fore er an% $erfe0te% in the life to 0ome* 44* .ow you see how mu0h more glorious# how mu0h better# is the %o0trine of the a$ostles--the .ew Testament--than the %o0trine of those who $rea0h merely great works an% holiness without 5hrist* =e shoul% see in this fa0t an in0enti e to hear the (os$el with gla%ness* =e ought Boyfully to thank (o% for it when we learn how it has $ower to bring to men life an% eternal sal ation# an% when it gi es us assuran0e that the 'oly 1$irit a00om$anies it an% is im$arte% to belie ers* C&ut if the ministration of %eath# written# an% engra en on stones# 0ame with glory# so that the 0hil%ren of "srael 0oul% not look ste%fastly u$on the fa0e of Moses for the glory of his fa0e2 whi0h glory was $assing away6 how shall not rather the ministration of the 1$irit be with glory9 :or if the ministration of 0on%emnation hath glory# mu0h rather %oth the ministration of righteousness e/0ee% in glory*C

(L3)D 3: T'; (31-;L 45* -aul is in an e0stasy of %elight# an% his heart o erflows in wor%s of $raise for the (os$el* 7gain he han%les the Law se erely# 0alling it a ministration# or %o0trine# of %eath an% 0on%emnation* =hat term signifi0ant of greater abomination 0oul% he a$$ly to (o%?s Law than to 0all it a %o0trine of %eath an% hell9 7n% again ((al 4618)# he 0alls it a Cminister (or $rea0her) of sin2C an% ((al 361,) the message whi0h $ro0laims a 0urse# saying# C7s many as are of the

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works of the law are un%er a 0urse*C 7bsolute# then# is the 0on0lusion that Law an% works are $owerless to Bustify before (o%2 for how 0an a %o0trine $ro0laiming only sin# %eath an% 0on%emnation Bustify an% sa e9 46* -aul is 0om$elle% to s$eak thus# as we sai% abo e be0ause of the infamous $resum$tion of both tea0hers an% $u$ils# in that they $ermit flesh an% bloo% to 0o>uet with the Law# an% make their own works whi0h they bring before (o% their boast* Det# nothing is effe0te% but self-%e0e$tion an% %estru0tion* :or# when the Law is iewe% in its true light# when its Cglory#C as -aul has it# is re eale%# it is foun% to %o nothing more than to kill man an% sink him into 0on%emnation* 48* Therefore# the 5hristian will %o well to learn this te/t of -aul an% ha e an armor against the boasting of false tea0hers# an% the torments an% trials of the %e il when he urges the Law an% in%u0es men to seek righteousness in their own works# tormenting their heart with the thought that sal ation is %e$en%ent u$on the a0hie ements of the in%i i%ual* The 5hristian will %o well to learn this te/t# " say# so that in su0h 0onfli0ts he may take the %e il?s own swor%# saying6 C=hy %ost thou annoy me with talk of the Law an% my works9 =hat is the Law after all# howe er mu0h you may $rea0h it to me# but that whi0h makes me feel the weight of sin# %eath an% 0on%emnation9 =hy shoul% " seek therein righteousness before (o%9C 48* =hen -aul s$eaks of the Cglory of the Law#C of whi0h the Fewish tea0hers of work-righteousness boast# he has referen0e to the things narrate% in the twentieth an% thirtyfourth 0ha$ters of ;/o%us--how# when the Law was gi en# (o% %es0en%e% in maBesty an% glory from hea en# an% there were thun%erings an% lightnings# an% the mountain was en0ir0le% with fire2 an% how when Moses returne% from the Mountain# bringing the Law# his fa0e shone with a glory so %aAAling that the $eo$le 0oul% not look u$on his fa0e an% he was oblige% to eil it* 4+* Turning their glory against them# -aul says6 CTruly# we %o not %eny the glory2 s$len%or an% maBesty were there6
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but what %oes su0h glory %o but 0om$el souls to flee before (o%# an% %ri e into %eath an% hell9 =e belie ers# howe er# boast another glory#--that of our ministration* The (os$el re0or% tells us (Mt 1864-4) that 5hrist 0learly re eale% su0h glory to his %is0i$les when his fa0e shone as the sun# an% Moses an% ;liBah were $resent* &efore the manifestation of su0h glory# the %is0i$les %i% not flee2 they behel% with amaAe% Boy

an% sai%6 CLor%# it is goo% for us to be here* =e will make here taberna0les for thee an% for Moses#C et0* 5,* 5om$are the two s0enes an% you will un%erstan% $lainly the im$ort of -aul?s wor%s here* 7s before sai%# this is the substan0e of his meaning6 CThe Law $ro%u0es naught but terror an% %eath when it %aAAles the heart with its glory an% stan%s re eale% in its true nature* 3n the other han%# the (os$el yiel%s 0omfort an% Boy*C &ut to e/$lain in %etail the signifi0ation of the eile% fa0e of Moses# an% of his shining un0o ere% fa0e# woul% take too long to enter u$on here* 51* There is also es$e0ial 0omfort to be %eri e% from -aul?s assertion that the Cministration#C or %o0trine# of the Law C$asseth awayC2 for otherwise there woul% be naught but eternal 0on%emnation* The %o0trine of the Law C$asses awayC when the $rea0hing of the (os$el of 5hrist fin%s $la0e* To 5hrist# Moses shall yiel%# that he alone may hol% sway* Moses shall not terrify the 0ons0ien0e of the belie er* =hen# $er0ei ing the glory of Moses# the 0ons0ien0e trembles an% %es$airs before (o%?s wrath# then it is time for 5hrist?s glory to shine with its gra0ious# 0omforting light into the heart* Then 0an the heart en%ure Moses an% ;liBah* :or the glory of the Law# or the un eile% fa0e of Moses# shall shine only until man is humble% an% %ri en to %esire the blesse% 0ountenan0e of 5hrist* "f you 0ome to 5hrist# you shall no longer hear Moses to your fright an% terror2 you shall hear him as one who remains ser ant to the Lor% 5hrist# lea ing the sola0e an% the Boy of his 0ountenan0e unobs0ure%* "n 0on0lusion6 C:or erily that whi0h hath been ma%e glorious hath not been ma%e glorious in this res$e0t# by reason of the glory that sur$asseth*C
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54* The meaning here is2 =hen the glory an% holiness of 5hrist# re eale% through the $rea0hing of the (os$el# is rightly $er0ei e% then the glory of the Law--whi0h is but a feeble an% transitory glory--is seen to be not really glorious* "t is mere %ark 0lou%s in 0ontrast to the light of 5hrist shining to lea% us out of sin# %eath an% hell unto (o% an% eternal life*
This arti0le was ma%e a ailable on the internet ia );:3)M7T"3. ".E (www*markers*0omIink)* )efer any 0orres$on%en0e to 1hane )osenthal6 )eformation"nk at ma0*0om (0onne0t an% write as Jma0*0om -- when " 0onne0t them " get a lot of Bunk mail)*