Forgive me for this long post. But full understanding sometimes requires more to be said.
Well, sad to say, it is more than technical.
The phrase "letter of the law" is incorrectly used to mean the external, literal sense in Scripture, or obedience to the external, literal sense of Scripture, as being deadly (kills) or unprofitable; while the "spirit of the law" is incorrectly used to mean the inner spiritual sense of Scripture, or our inner attitude, as being life giving.
However, in 2Co 3:6-9, "the letter" is simply "the law written," an external standard before which all people stand guilty and condemned to death (the letter kills).
The Spirit that gives life is the Spirit of the living God (v.3), not our inner attitude, or some "spiritual" sense of the words.
It is the Holy Spirit who writes that same law (the letter) inwardly "on tablets of human hearts," in fulfillment of the promise of the New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34), and the law is now an internal standard.
And the Holy Spirit gives the believer love of God's law, as well as power to keep it, neither of which he had previously possessed.
So "the letter of the law" and "the spirit of the law" are unBiblical phrases used in opposition to one another, or as distinct and different from one another, in an incorrect understanding of the law and the Spirit.
Elin, you say that "the letter of the law" and "the spirit of the law" are "unbiblical phrases" as if to condemn their use, concluding "an incorrect understanding of the law and the spirit". But I ask you, has everything about Christ been written?
John 21:25
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
And didn't Christ himself say that there was *more* to share and that the Holy Spirit will reveal?
John 16:12-13
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
And again, didn't Paul say that the hidden wisdom of God is revealed by his Spirit?
1 Corinthians 2:7-10
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
SOME of the things that Paul revealed in his writings weren't first written before Paul wrote them, but were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Paul even points out a couple of times that those who are supposed to be masters of the basics moving on to the "meat" of all of this, can still be stuck at the elementary stage, still needing milk.
1 Corinthians 3:2
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.
Hebrews 5:12
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
Now I'm not accusing you directly, Elin, or claiming that you're elementary. I'm just taking this opportunity to say there is truth that builds upon the foundation that was written...but there can be no growth or maturity towards this truth if one is STILL limited by the "letter", even today. Let me emphasize; I am NOT saying stray to the right or to the left from scripture!!! But we are to build upon it; precept upon precept; line upon line. So even though this *phrase* I use isn't in the bible, it is still truth. We do ourselves a disservice to limit our understanding "to the letters written". This book of books - just like the tables of stone - is not alive unless and until every part of it is on the inside and connections (i.e. meanings; purposes; understandings) are made by the Holy Spirit.
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So What does the spirit say about his relationship between He and the law BASED ON all that is understood of scripture?
Well..
1. It is true that the "written" law of God is
his very Character, "written" on tables of stone.
(Sinful Israel almost died hearing God speak the 10 commandments to them. They couldn't bear God's pure character, as God's "
words are [his] spirit".)
2. It is true that the Holy "Spirit" of God is
his very Character, imputed to a believer who is baptized in Christ.
Thus...
3. The Holy Spirit IS the spirit of the law; its embodiment and rightful interpreter. "The spirit of
truth"; God's very own character.
If it's written that "A = B"...and it's written that "B = C"...then A = C (even if "A = C" is not written).
So one can not separate The Law of God from The Holy Spirit, for both are the "Word(s) of God"; his very character. One can however make a distinction between "the letters written" of the law and "the truer meaning" those letters (that only the Holy Spirit can properly interpret...because he's the embodiment thereof).
This is why I also pointed out the perfect parallel between Mt. Sinai and Pentecost, because we are meant to recognize the relationship between these two events. The "milk" is the basic understanding of these events *separately*, as articulated by the
letters of scripture written. But the "meat" is understanding *why* these two events are connected; the
spirit moving behind these events.
There's a difference between knowing God's acts (i.e. what he does) and knowing God's ways (i.e. why he's doing them). One is on the surface and the other is in the depths. One is flesh; the other is spirit.
I'll give you another connection related to this thread...
1. It is true that Christ is the
word of God (the very "Word" of God made flesh)...and remember God's "words are [his] spirit"
2. It is true that Christ interpreted the law (God's commands/words) during his ministry
3. It is true that Christ had the authority to judge anyone based on the law, though he dispensed mercy. Scripture says that "the law judges".
Thus...
4. Christ IS the spirit of the law as well; its embodiment and rightful interpreter...and because of this, the deeper meaning of the phrase "the law was nailed to the cross" is revealed. The law is God's very character. Christ is God's very character. Christ was nailed to the cross.
...and as the law died in the flesh, so did the law resurrect in the spirit; in his true, glorified form...and he exists eternally at the right hand of the father.
This is the *why*; this is why it's possible to say "if one has Christ's spirit within them one fulfills the law". The outward form (i.e. the flesh...the letter) of the law is not alive, but the inward form (i.e. The Holy Spirit) of the law lives in us.
and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. 