Comparative Theology · Pauline Epistles & Early Church
Jesus commanded Torah observance; Paul called the Law a curse
Handle with care. Christians have real theological answers here about fulfilment and covenant. Listen to the answer properly before replying.
In short
- 1.**Matthew 5:17-19** — not the smallest letter will pass from the Law; whoever sets aside the least of these commands will be called least in the kingdom.
- 2.**Galatians 3:13** — Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law.
- 3.**Romans 10:4** — Christ is the end of the Law.
- 4.**Both cannot be the message of the same teacher.** One says every stroke stands; the other says it is finished.
The claim being examined
On the single question of whether the Law of Moses remains binding, Jesus in Matthew and Paul in Galatians give opposite answers.
The Islamic position
Islam teaches that every prophet came confirming the law before him and calling to obedience. Jesus in Matthew 5 speaks exactly like that. Paul does not.
Analysis
The Greek in Matthew 5:18 is emphatic: not one iota, not one keraia, the smallest stroke of a Hebrew letter, will pass from the Law until heaven and earth pass away. Tabor treats this saying as belonging to the Jewish-Christian stream that James represented, preserved in Matthew, the most Jewish of the Gospels. Paul''s language runs the other way: the Law brings wrath (Romans 4:15), it was added because of transgressions (Galatians 3:19), and those who rely on it are under a curse (Galatians 3:10). Ali Ataie points out that Matthew 5:19 does not merely permit Torah observance, it condemns those who teach others to relax the commandments — a description that fits Paul''s Gentile mission with uncomfortable precision.
Side by side
| Matthew | 5:17-19 | I have not come to abolish the Law. Not one stroke will pass until all is accomplished. |
|---|---|---|
| Luke | 16:17 | Easier for heaven and earth to pass than one stroke of the Law to fail. |
| Galatians | 3:13 | Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law. |
| Romans | 10:4 | Christ is the end of the law. |
From the Qur'an
Qur'an 5:46
وَقَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم بِعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ مُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ
And We sent Jesus son of Mary, confirming the Torah that came before him.
Qur'an 3:50
وَمُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ
And I come confirming the Torah which was before me.
From the Bible
Matthew 5:18-19
ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κεραία οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου
Not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Whoever sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.
Read it in their BibleGalatians 3:13
ἐξηγόρασεν ἡμᾶς ἐκ τῆς κατάρας τοῦ νόμου
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.
Read it in their BibleRomans 10:4
τέλος γὰρ νόμου Χριστὸς
Christ is the end of the law, so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Read it in their BibleLuke 16:17
εὐκοπώτερον δέ ἐστιν τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν παρελθεῖν
It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.
Read it in their BibleSources
James D. Tabor, Paul and Jesus (2012), ch. 5 · Ali Ataie, lectures on Matthew and Torah observance (Zaytuna College) · Bart D. Ehrman, Lost Christianities (2003) · Matthew 5:17-19; Galatians 3; Tabor, Paul and Jesus, ch. 5
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