(3) As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, (4) Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. (5) В¶ Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (6) From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; (7) Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. (8) But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; (9) Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, (10) For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (11) According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
I consider what the Apostle hath here said on the subject of the law, to be one of the most decisive and unanswerable determinations, (and from inspiration itself), which ever hath been, or can be given, to quiet the minds of the faithful respecting it. And sure I am, if it were attended to, under the divine teaching, it would put an end to all the disputes with which the people of God have been disturbed on the point, by the vain arguments and reasoning's of men. A moment's attention will place the Apostle's statement of the subject, concerning the law, in a clear light.
First. The Apostle sets down the great excellency of the law, as it is in itself. We know, (saith he), that the law is good. And the holiness, perfection, and everlasting blessedness of all that is good, confirms every tittle of the law. Sooner, saith Christ, shall heaven and earth pass, than one tittle of it to fail. Luke 16:17. The law is the very transcript of the mind of God. And, therefore, when Christ came in the purity of his nature to fulfil the law, he sums up the infinite blessedness of it in these words: I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart; or, as the margin of the Bible renders it, in the midst of my bowels; meaning, that his whole human nature was formed in the perfect holiness of it, and wrapped up in it. Psalms 40:8. Seen in this point of view, how truly blessed is it! Well might Paul say, we know that the law is good!
Secondly. Paul qualifies the character of the law, as it relates to a poor sinner who hath broken the whole of it, by adding, that it is good, if a man use it lawfully. That is, if in a conscious sense of the infinite purity of the law itself, and its demands of unsinning obedience, with condemnation to every son and daughter of Adam who breaks it, we so use it, as those who are conscious of having sinned, and come short of God's glory, we lay hold of Christ, as the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. In this sense the law is good indeed, and this is to use it lawfully. For by Christ's perfect obedience to the whole law, in our room and stead, and as the Head of his body the Church, we are accepted as holy in him. And this comes up to what the Lord said by the Prophet; Surely shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength. In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. Isaiah 45:24-25
Thirdly. The Apostle next proceeds to define the purposes of the law. Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man. The law, which was delivered on Mount Sinai, the Holy Ghost informs the Church, was added because of transgressions. Galatians 3:19. And Paul, in his own experience, declares, that he should not have known sin but by the law; for he should not have known lust, except the law had said; Thou shalt not covet. Romans 7:7. Hence we learn, that as from the fall of the first man, none was righteous before God, the law was designed to teach sinners God's holiness, and their total depravity. And this became a blessed way to set forth the holiness of the God-man Christ Jesus, who only could, and did, obey the whole law of God. And how blessedly in him is seen, that all his seed are considered righteous and holy before God.
Fourthly. The Apostle closeth this part of the subject, with showing for whom the law was made, and whom it universally condemns, being out of Christ. And a melancholy catalogue it forms! The law against all such stands unrepealed, unalterable, and everlastingly fixed. And in confirmation, Paul adds, according to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God! Reader! ponder the vast subject. Behold! how universally condemning the law is against all unrighteousness and ungodliness of men! See, the only possible safety from its condemnation is in Christ! Call to mind that every man by nature is in this state of condemnation, until called by sovereign grace! And when you have duly pondered the subject, and heard the unalterable sentence of all that live and die in the unregenerated state of the unrenewed mind, then ask your heart whether you yourself, personally considered, are interested in the blessed deliverance from it, which Paul describes: And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11.