If we are going to TEST this commonly held Christian idea, shouldn’t we have the desire to really understand Paul, by honestly wanting to know as much as we can about him ?
In order to do this, surely we must search the Scriptures for all the details that are available about Paul. In doing that, I believe that we will need to apply the biblical principles of Isaiah 28:13, namely, to examine “precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little”.
I strongly believe that we certainly should imitate what we are told the Bereans did in Acts 17:11. There it tells us “that they received the word with all readiness of mind (from Paul), and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things (that Paul told them), were so”.
Q: So what do we know about Paul ?
A:
Acts 21:39 & 22:3, tell us that Paul was a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilica. Acts 22:25 indicates that Paul was a Roman citizen.
In Acts 22:3, we are told that Paul was “brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day”.
Acts 5:34 refers to Gamaliel, as “one in the council, a Pharisee, … a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people”. It is believed that to be a disciple of Gamaliel, a young man needed to be among the brightest, & most zealous of Pharisees - only the very best young Pharisees could be mentored by Gamaliel. After Paul’s “training” by Gamaliel, I have read that Paul knew the Tanach so well, that he had it memorised. He certainly knew, & practised the oral laws, the traditions of the elders, in his life before his encounter with Messiah Yahushua.
We know from Acts 26 that Paul was a strict Pharisee, & the son of a Pharisee. In Acts 7 & 9, we know that he participated in the stoning of Stephen. Paul “breathed threats & slaughter against the disciples” in Acts 9, & in Gal 1:13-14, Paul tells the Galatians some interesting information when he writes, “For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of YHWH, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers”.
Q: What is the “Jews’ religion” ?
A: In Gal 1:13-14, we see mention of the “Jews’ religion”, twice. Clearly, that was the Pharisaic religion that many Jews of the first century, including Paul, practiced. There are two main things that we need to know about these Pharisees.
1: They revere the “oral law”, including the Talmud, (the primary source of Jewish law & theology), the Mishnah, (the written copy of the oral law), & the Gemara (the rabbinic commentary on the Jewish law), even above the written Torah of Moses.
2: They taught that to be saved, you must first be circumcised, & then keep the Torah (based on the oral laws teachings of the Talmud, Mishnah & the Gemara).
While the “Jews religion” was the religion that Paul originally believed in, practiced, & “profited in”, it is NOT the same spiritual walk he practiced, after His encounter with Messiah Yahushua. This is why Paul had several conflicting encounters with those of the Jews’ religion, during his ministry. (Acts 15, Gal 2:2). Sometimes, the “Jews religion” are referred to as “the circumcision” (Gal 2:7-8 is an example).
In Acts 9, we read of Paul’s encounter with Messiah Yahushua, & later, in Gal 1:1, how he was appointed as an apostle to the Gentiles.
In Gal 1:17-18, we are told that Paul went into Arabia, & after three years, he went to Jerusalem to see Peter & James.
Q: Why might Paul have gone to Arabia ?
A: We are not told the reason in Scripture, but I am guessing that Paul may have gone to Mt Sinai, (Arabia), the mountain where YHWH gave the original Israelites His written Torah instructions, in order to reassess his scriptural thinking & beliefs, after his encounter with Messiah Yahushua.
Q: Why might Paul have visited with Peter, three years later ?
A: Again, we are not told, but perhaps it was to test what he had discovered about his revised beliefs, when in Arabia.
Q: What did Paul believe, & now practice after his encounter with Messiah Yahushua, his trip to Arabia, & his visit with Peter & James?
A:
Paul confesses to the Jews of Caesarea, saying in Acts 24:14 that “so worship I the Elohim of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets”. Clearly, isn’t Paul declaring that he believed ALL things that Moses wrote, & what was written in the Prophets ? Surely, this would include YHWH’s written Torah ?
We also know from checking the book of Acts, & reading Paul’s epistles that specifically :
~ Paul observed the 7th day Sabbath (Acts 13:42, 17:2, 18:4),
~ he kept Passover (1 Cor 5:8).
~ Paul observed Shavuot (Pentecost) in Jerusalem (Acts 20:16);
~ he also kept the annual feasts of Lev 23 (Acts 18:21).
~ in Eph 4:25, Paul states that he believed in the Prophets (Zech 8:16), & the words of the Writings (Ps 4:4).
~ in 1 Tim 1:8-11, Paul calls the Torah "sound teaching", while in 2 Tim 2:15, he called the Torah the "word of Truth".
Paul tells us that in 2 Tim 3:16 that “scripture (the Tanach) is written by inspiration of the Ruach (Holy Spirit), & is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction & instruction in righteousness
We also know that Paul took a Nazarite vow, according to Acts 18:18, & Acts 21:24-26, which was based on Num 6:18).
Clearly, these are the major, & significant reasons we can have to know that Paul kept YHWH’s Torah, & that he never taught against YHWH’s Torah.
In 2 Peter 3:15-16, we read that Peter calls Paul, a “beloved brother”, & in verse 16, he explains his understanding of how & what Paul wrote :
2Pe 3:16 As also in all (Paul’s) epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as (they do) also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Peter begins by explaining that in “all Paul’s epistles” (letters), “some things are hard to understand”. This is extremely important to know because, we really need to understand what Paul has written.
The next part of this verse is very significant ! There Peter tells us that people who are “unlearned”, as well as “unstable”, wrest (distort, twist, pervert), what Paul has written.
Q: What are such people “unlearned” in ?
A: Based on the context, they must be unlearned about YHWH’s written Torah, because of his reference to “other scriptures”, which at the time this was written, could only be the Tanach.
Q: What does Peter mean, when he describes some people as “unstable” ?
A: Again, in this context, wouldn’t someone who is “unstable” have no fixed principles & views ? Would they be, as Eph 4:14 explains, be “tossed to & fro . . . with every wind of doctrine” ?
Q: What does Peter mean when he tells us that these unlearned & unstable people, “wrest” the hard things that Paul writes ?
A: The Greek word translated as “wrest” is streb’lo’o, which literally means to torture by twisting & wrenching apart. It seems to me that, “wrest” in this context means, to distort, to twist, to pervert, or even reversing, what is actually being written.
Isn’t it obvious from Peter’s comment that, even at the time of Peter's writing, people were “twisting” what Paul has written – isn’t it very obvious, that they do so now ?
Q: What are the “other scriptures” that Peter is mentioning ?
A: Again, we know that any “Renewed Covenant Scriptures (NT) would not be published, & widely distributed until much later than this time, so it must be a reference to the rest of the Tanach (OT), the writings of the Prophets, & the Psalms.
Q: What does Peter mean when he says, these “unlearned” & “unstable” people distort, twist & pervert, not only what Paul has written in his epistles, but these other scriptures ?
A: By embracing distorted, twisted & perverted doctrines, these unlearned & unstable people, bring a curse upon themselves, resulting in probably a loss of their own salvation, in other words, “their own destruction”.
So the lesson for us is that, if we are really going to comprehend, understand, & know the “things that are hard to understand” by Paul, shouldn’t we diligently read, & study what he read & studied, before, we read what he wrote.
If we look at 2 Pet 2:14, we see another reference to “unstable” souls – it is the same Greek word as Peter uses in 2 Peter 3:16.
2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
In 2 Pet 2:1, we read about “false prophets” & “false teachers”, who “privily” shall bring damnable heresies. “privily” here means bring in secretly.
Q: Why would these "false prophets" & "false teachers", do this ?
A: Because they don’t want their “audiences” to know their real motives.
These false teachers use the Bible, but only certain verses as decoys, to manipulate others – this is twisting of Paul’s words. In doing this, a false teacher might say something like, “legalism is disobedience to YHWH”, in order to bring about “a damnable heresy”.
There are several verses, just in Paul’s letter to the Galatians that are hard to understand, including :
Gal 2:14, 2:16, 2:19, 3:2, 3:13, 3:24-25, 4:8, 4L21-31, 5L1-2, 5:14, 118, 6:2, 13, 14-15.
If we examine just Gal 2:14, we know that false teachers often say that it means “gentiles don’t have to keep the law, because Jews keep it”. This is “twisting” what Paul has written.
If you accept what these “false teachers” say Gal 2:14 means, haven’t you missed the warning, Peter said when he wrote that “some of what Paul writes is hard to understand” ? This makes absolutely no sense because, it was written by Paul who kept the law.
Another reason we can know that Paul kept YHWH’s Torah concerns what I’ll call, “Paul’s personal examination”. This may take a bit of time to explain, so I hope you can be patient.
In Gal 2:1 we read that “after 14 years, Paul, Barnabas & Titus went to Jerusalem”. If we examine
Gal 2:2, there are several things we need to investigate.
Q1: Why does Paul write that by “revelation”, he “communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation” ?
Q2: What was the “gospel” Paul preached to the Gentiles ?
Q3: Who were the “them which were of reputation” ?
Q4: Why did Paul meet with them “privately” ?
Gal 2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
Gal 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
A1: I believe the Ruach (Holy Spirit) prompted Paul to go to Jerusalem (by revelation).
A2: I’ll get to more details soon, but for now, it seems reasonable to assume that Paul wanted to CHECK, & TEST that, the gospel he was teaching for 14 years, was the same as the gospel, “them which were of reputation”, taught.
A3: The “them which were of reputation” were the apostles that walked, & lived with Messiah Yahushua for 3 years, specifically, Peter, John, & James.
A4: Paul met with them “privately” because he wanted to discuss with them what “their understanding” was of Messiah Yahushua’s gospel message – after all, they had “personal” contact with Messiah Yahushua. Even though, Paul too, got his instructions about the gospel from Messiah Yahushua, Paul wanted to double check that the gospel he had been teaching for 14 years, was the same gospel Messiah Yahushua had taught them.
Please note that at the end of Gal 2:2, Paul writes “lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain”. Paul is really saying that, unless the gospel that he had been teaching for 14 years, was the same as the gospel Peter, John & James were teaching, THEN, his (Paul’s) teaching would have been “in vain” (of absolutely no value).
Because I don’t have a great deal of time to examine what Peter & James taught, I’ll focus briefly on what John taught. I believe that Peter & James’ understanding of Messiah Yahushua’s gospel message was the same as John’s.
In 1 John 2:1-6, we find the following :
1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Messiah Yahushua the righteous:
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation (atonement) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1Jn 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of YHWH perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1Jn 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked
Notice that John, in v1, mentions sin, & connects it with our advocate with the heavenly Father, Messiah Yahushua.
In v2, John says that Messiah Yahushua atones for the sins of the world.
V3 tells us that if we know (have a relationship) with Father YHWH, then we “keep HIS commandments”. John continues in v4, by writing that if someone says that they are in a relationship with YHWH (they know Him), but do not keep YHWH’s commandments, that person is a liar, & the Truth isn’t in him.
John then writes in v5 that, the person who keeps YHWH’s word, perfects YHWH’s love, resulting in him, being in YHWH.
I believe the crucial point John is making occurs in v6, where John writes, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked”. If we are true disciples & believers in Messiah Yahushua, we must walk as He walked”.
Q: How did Messiah Yahushua walk ?
A: I’ll answer this by giving 4 examples.
1: Messiah Yahushua agreed with, supported & believed what Moses wrote (Matt 5:17-19).
~ He kept the 7th day Sabbath (Mark 1:21, Luke 4:16)
~ He kept the annual moedim (feasts) of Lev 23 (John 2;23, John 7:1-6, 10) .
~ He was circumcised on the 8th day (Luke 2:21-24)
~ He wore fringes on his garments (Luke 8:44), in accordance with Num 15:38 & Deut 22:12.
~ Paul calls Him the firstfruits of those who have fallen (1 Cor 15:20).
~ He taught on fasting (Matt 6:16-18).
~ In Luke 17:14, He told the ten lepers who were cleansed to show themselves to the priests, as was required by Lev 13:2.
There are 23 verses where Yahushua attributes the Torah to Moses. (Matt 8:4; 19:7, 8; 23:2; Mark 1:44; 10:3, 4; 7:10; Luke 5:14; 16:19, 31; 20:37; 24:27, 44; John 3:14; 5:39, 45, 46; 6:32; 7:19, 22, 23)
2: Messiah Yahushua explained the true meaning, & application of several of YHWH’s commandments. In Matt 5:27-32, He expands on the commandment of adultery, & in John 8:3-11, He applies the teaching of Deut 17:6-7, when the woman caught in adultery is brought to Him.
3: Messiah Yahushua prayed to His heavenly Father (Matt 14:23, Matt 26:36), & taught His disciples how to pray (Luke 11:1). In John 17:26, Messiah Yahushua says that He “declared unto them thy name, and will declare it”. Clearly, YHWH’s name is exceptionally important, (a) because it is written 6823 times in Scripture, & (b) because we are told to in various other verses we are told to :
~ bless His name (Ps 100:4)
~ exalt His name (Ps 34:3) &
~ praise His name (Ps 149:3)
~ hallow His name (Luke 11:2)
My research indicates that very few Christians know, or use YHWH’s name, so how can they bless, exalt, praise or hallow His name ?
4: In John 17:26, Messiah Yahushua says that He has “declared to them Your (YHWH’s) name”. Clearly, knowing, & using YHWH’s name is vitally important, if someone wants to have a relationship with Him.
Joh 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
A third reason that we know that Paul didn’t teach against keeping YHWH’s Torah, could be based on his own personal experience.
In Gal 1:1, we read that Paul was an apostle ordained by Messiah Yahushua, & YHWH the Father, & definitely not by men. This was Paul’s experience.
Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Messiah Yahushua, and YHWH the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
Paul expounds upon this experience in verses 11-12, where he writes, “I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Messiah Yahushua”.
If those things are true, & I believe that they are, then wouldn’t any person who thinks rationally, ask this question.
Is it possible for YHWH, & Messiah Yahushua, to call a man to go & teach something that would be different than what YHWH had said to Moses ?
If a person is sent by YHWH, does it make any sense to even imagine that YHWH would have spoken one message to Moses, & then said to Paul, “ I need you to go correct a few things I said to Moses”. It makes no sense, & defies logic !
Isn’t it ludicrous that YHWH would call Paul to go out & contradict what He, YHWH, said to Moses, especially when we read what YHWH said to Moses? Doesn’t YHWH say things to Moses like “this shall be a statute forever” (Exod 12:17), & “this is My name forever” (Exod 3:15), “the Sabbath is a sign forever” (Exod 31:17), & “You shall keep it (Passover) a feast to YHWH throughout your generations – you shall keep it a feast forever”(Exod 12:14) ?
If YHWH, through Moses, said those things were forever, would He now call Paul & say, “go tell people that I changed my mind, that they really were temporary”. To believe that, is to believe that which is absurd ! It's the epitome of what it means to be “unlearned” & “unstable”, to believe that YHWH would send Paul to contradict what he said to Moses.
Have you ever investigated what happens to those who “speaks against Moses” ?
If you check out Num 12:1-16, I believe that you will see that, when Aaron & Miriam criticised Moses for taking the Ethiopian wife, “YHWH took that personally” (Num 12:9)
Num 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
Num 12:9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.
Q: What happened to Miriam then ?
A: She became leprous, & was put out of the camp (v10 & v14)
In Num 16:1-33, we have the situation where Korah & others spoke against Moses. Verse 4 tells us that when Moses heard their complaint, “he fell on his face” (Moses remembered what happened to Miriam).
Q: What happened to Korah & his followers ?
A: Num 16:32 tells us that the ”earth opened her mouth & swallowed them up”.
YHWH certainly reacts in a very negative way to those who criticise Moses, & what YHWH told him to write.
Based on all this information, the only logical conclusion that I believe that we can reach is that, Paul never taught against YHWH’s Torah !