What does "abolishing in His flesh" mean for Old Testament law observance? The phrase in context Ephesians 2:14-16: “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He extinguished their hostility.” What “abolishing in His flesh” means - “In His flesh” points to Christ’s physical, substitutionary death on the cross. - The “law of commandments and decrees” refers to the Mosaic ordinances that established Israel’s distinct worship life (sacrifices, dietary rules, ritual purity, feast days). - At the cross, Jesus fulfilled every requirement (Matthew 5:17) and removed the law’s power to condemn (Colossians 2:14). - The result: the barrier separating Jew and Gentile is gone; both approach God on identical terms—grace through faith (Romans 3:29-30). Impact on Old Testament law observance • Sacrificial system—finished. “But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12). • Dietary and ceremonial boundaries—lifted. “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (Acts 10:15; cf. Mark 7:19). • Circumcision as covenant marker—no longer required (Galatians 5:6). • Civil regulations tied to Israel’s theocracy—no longer binding on the multi-ethnic church (Galatians 3:24-25). • Moral revelation—still authoritative, now written on our hearts and empowered by the Spirit (Romans 8:3-4; 13:8-10). Living out this freedom today - Rest in Christ’s finished work; law-keeping is never a path to justification (Ephesians 2:8-9). - Guard against legalism that re-erects “dividing walls” (Galatians 5:1). - Pursue holiness, not to earn favor, but because the Spirit enables obedience that reflects God’s character (1 Peter 1:15-16). - Celebrate unity: one body, one Spirit, one hope (Ephesians 4:4-6). - Express love, which “fulfills the law” (Romans 13:10). Key related passages • Romans 10:4 — “Christ is the end of the law, so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” • Colossians 2:14 — He “canceled the record of debt… nailing it to the cross.” • Hebrews 9:11-12 — Christ entered the greater tabernacle “by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.” • Galatians 3:28 — “There is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Practical takeaways - Confidence: condemnation has been removed. - Freedom: worship without ceremonial barriers. - Unity: ethnic and cultural differences no longer dictate spiritual status. - Responsibility: walk by the Spirit, demonstrating the moral beauty the law pointed toward (Galatians 5:22-23). |
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