No longer under the law

What Is “the Law”?
While the question may sound basic, it’s critical to understand that in the Bible—especially in the New Testament—the term “law” doesn't always mean the same thing. Yes, sometimes it refers to:

- The Ten Commandments (moral law),
- Ceremonial laws (rituals, sacrifices, temple ordinances),
- Health and civil laws, and at times,
- The entire Old Testament Scriptures, as in John 10:34 where Jesus refers to Psalms as “your law.”

This broad application of “law” points to a larger system—a system of government, behavior, and spiritual tutelage under the Old Covenant.

Under the Law = Under Its Government
Paul is the only biblical writer who uses the exact phrase “under the law.” In 1 Corinthians 9:20-21, he defines it clearly:

“To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law)...”

Paul contrasts Jews (under the law) and Gentiles (not under it), showing that “under the law” means being under the jurisdiction of the Mosaic system—not necessarily under condemnation. While he adapted to each group for the sake of the gospel, he emphasized that he himself was not under the Mosaic law but under Christ (1 Corinthians 9:21). Likewise, believers today are called to “serve in newness of Spirit and not in oldness of the letter” (Romans 7:6), no longer governed by external commands, but led by the indwelling Spirit of Christ.

Galatians: Children Under Guardians
Galatians 3:23–4:5 expands this idea using the analogy of a child under guardians:

“Before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterward be revealed... the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.”

- Children require external control.
- The law functioned like a guardian, appropriate for spiritual infancy.
- But now that Christ has come, believers are no longer children. We’re adopted sons and daughters with direct access to the Father through Christ.
- So Paul says clearly: “We are no longer under a schoolmaster.”

Delivered from the Dominion of the Law
Romans 7 provides a powerful illustration:

“The law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth…”

Just as a woman is bound to her husband while he lives, the Jews were bound to the law. But in Christ, that relationship has ended:

“Now we are delivered from the law... that we should serve in newness of spirit.”

This does not mean the law is abolished in terms of moral relevance, but rather that its governing role over believers has ended. We are no longer driven by external obligation but guided by the Spirit within.

Why the Law Had to Go
Paul affirms in 1 Timothy 1:9 that:

“The law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient…”

The law was designed to govern the carnal nature. It restrained the flesh, not transformed the heart. But to remain under the law is to remain in the flesh. That’s why Paul writes:

“If ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” (Gal. 5:18)

Under the Spirit, a supernatural transformation occurs. Righteousness becomes the fruit of a new nature, not a response to a rule.

The Three Laws: Flesh, Spirit, and the Ten Commandments
In Romans 7 and 8, Paul introduces three “laws”:

- The law of God (10 Commandments) – holy but powerless to change hearts.
- The law of sin – the nature that drives rebellion from within.
- The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus – the new principle that sets us free.

“What the law could not do... God did, by sending His own Son...” (Rom. 8:3)
Legal law demands. Natural law (sin) dominates. But spiritual law produces what legal and natural law cannot.

The Glory That Faded
In 2 Corinthians 3:6–11, Paul boldly contrasts the two covenants:

- The letter (engraved in stone) kills.
- The Spirit gives life.
- The ministration of death, though glorious, is being done away.
- The ministration of righteousness is far more glorious and remains.

Conclusion: Living Under Grace

To be “no longer under the law” means:
- Not under condemnation.
- Not under a system of external control.
- Not guided by legalism or old covenant shadows.

Instead, we are under grace, governed by the Spirit of Christ, and empowered by new life from within.

This is not a call to lawlessness, but a call to Spirit-filled righteousness—a life that naturally produces the fruit of obedience through union with Christ.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.” (Rom. 6:14)