Matthew and Paul on Christ and the Law: Compatible or Incompatible Theologies?

Abstract

<p>This present study is both exegetical (Part One) and analytical (Part Two). The exegetical effort aims at expressing as accurately as possible how the redactor of Matthew's gospel understood the relation of Christ to the law of Moses and how Paul, especially in Galatians and Romans, understood the relation of Christ and the law. The analytical effort aims at bringing these two views into relation to one another.</p> <p>With regard to Matthew and Paul on Christ and the law: Matthew understands Christ to bring the law to fulfilment, i.e., to its appointed eschatological measure of completeness. Paul understands Christ to be "the end of the law" (Rom. 10:4); that is, for those who have found salvation in Christ the law ceases to enslave and condemn.</p> <p>Such views may be contradictory or complementary or neither contradictory nor complementary but simply compatible. The thesis argues that the views of Matthew and Paul on Christ and the law belong to the third or middle category. The differences of view are real and remain intact, but the two are finally compatible theologies.</p>