Did Paul Challenge God’s Law? A Surprising Truth The Apostle Paul, one of the most influential figures in early Christianity, is often misunderstood when it comes to his views on obedience to the law. Some might argue that his teachings on grace and freedom in Christ imply a disregard for legal or societal laws. However, a closer examination of Paul’s letters reveals a consistent message of respecting authority and submitting to governing laws, while also upholding the higher moral and spiritual laws that guide Christian conduct.
Paul’s Teachings on Submission to Authority
In several passages, Paul clearly teaches that Christians should respect and submit to the governing authorities. In Romans 13:1-2, Paul writes:
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
This passage establishes a key principle: all governing authorities are ordained by God. Paul emphasizes that the role of governments is to promote order, justice, and peace. Disobedience to government, then, is equated with disobedience to God’s will. This does not mean that Paul advocates blind submission to corrupt or unjust regimes, but rather that in general, Christians should respect the law and work for positive change through lawful means.
Further, in Titus 3:1, Paul instructs believers:
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.”
Paul’s instructions here are clear: Christians should live as law-abiding citizens, contributing positively to society by obeying laws and helping to maintain the public good.
The Role of the Law in Christian Life
Paul’s letters also speak to the relationship between Christians and the Mosaic law, especially in the context of salvation. Paul makes it clear that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ, not by adhering to the laws of the Old Covenant. In Galatians 2:16, Paul writes:
“A person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith and not by the works of the law.”
Here, Paul is addressing the issue of justification—being made right with God—and stresses that this is not achieved by following the law, but through faith in Christ. This does not negate the law’s role in revealing God’s righteousness but rather emphasizes that the law cannot save.
Paul teaches that the law serves as a guide to moral living and as a means to understand God’s standards, but it is not the means of salvation. Romans 8:3-4 explains this further:
“For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
In this way, Paul advocates for living according to the Spirit of God, which leads to a higher moral life than merely following external rules.
Did Paul Challenge God’s Law at Least 3 Times?
Some might question whether Paul challenged God’s law, especially when considering his teachings about salvation by faith and his critiques of certain aspects of the law. The answer lies in understanding the context of Paul’s writings. While he did not challenge the moral principles of God’s law, he often contrasted the works of the law with the grace and faith available through Jesus Christ. For instance, in Galatians 2:16, Paul makes it clear that justification is not through the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. Additionally, in Romans 7:6, he notes that believers have “been released from the law” so they can serve in the new way of the Spirit. In these instances, Paul does not challenge the righteousness of God’s law, but rather emphasizes the need for Christ to fulfill what the law could not do on its own.
Obedience to God over Human Law
While Paul generally upholds respect for authority, there are circumstances in which obedience to God takes precedence over obedience to human laws. One of the most famous examples of this is found in Acts 5:29, where the apostles, including Paul, refuse to stop preaching about Jesus despite being ordered by the authorities to do so:
“We must obey God rather than human beings!”
This principle holds that when the laws of the land directly contradict the commands of God, Christians are to choose obedience to God over human authority. This does not mean that Christians should rebel against all laws, but rather that when faced with a clear moral dilemma, their allegiance to God must supersede any earthly law.
Paul’s Teachings on Lawlessness
Some might argue that Paul’s emphasis on grace and faith in Christ could lead to a disregard for the law. However, Paul’s teachings actually aim to uphold a higher moral law—one that is fulfilled in Christ. For example, in Romans 13:8-10, Paul writes:
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Here, Paul teaches that love—specifically the love Christians are called to show one another—fulfills the law. The moral law of God, while still relevant, is embodied in the selfless love that Christ demonstrated and calls His followers to live out. This is the “law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2), and it provides the basis for ethical behavior and social responsibility.
Conclusion
Paul’s teachings do not promote disobedience to the law, but rather an understanding of the law’s place in the life of a Christian. He teaches that Christians should respect governing authorities, live moral lives, and obey laws, unless those laws directly conflict with God’s commands. For Paul, the ultimate authority is God, and all laws are subordinate to His will. His message calls Christians to live by a higher law—one of love, justice, and grace—while still being responsible and obedient members of society.
Thus, Paul did not teach disobedience to the law but encouraged believers to navigate the complexities of human authority while remaining faithful to God’s higher calling.
