What does it mean Christ is the end of the law for righteousness?
lets take a look:
Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Rom 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
notice the issue is they are trying to establish their own righteousness rather than submit to Gods righteousness.
now notice the issue here its not righteousness but how one attains it. as can be seen in the verses preceding this one.
Rom 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Rom 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Rom 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
The Gentiles were able to attain but Israel was not, why? because one did so by works of the law/own righteousness and the other by faith/Gods righteousness.
notice the issue is not trying to attain righteousness but rather the method.
lets go back to chapter 10:
Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
what does Paul mean by: "law for righteousness" ? we have just seen that he likens it to self righteousness again the issue has not changed its the method that Paul is speaking of not the aim. The aim is fine the method is in question.
In other words taking context into account, Paul is saying we don't have to work for our salvation.
broader Context, Jesus the one who the law spoke of has now come so the sacrificial aspect of the law is done with, to continue in these would be righteousness by works and a denial of Christ.
Remember that the law of faith came before the law, as it is with our Father Abraham:
Gen_15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
So then was the law against faith? God forbid as it is written:
Gal 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
ok don't miss the point here, Faith came before the law and the law does not nullify or change faith. Faith was still the only method of salvation.
Notice also the insinuation in this last verse:
"f
or if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law."
Notice the issue is life given, Under the law could life be given by simply obeying the law/10 commandments God gave? no one had to have forgiveness for past sin in order to have life. thus the sacrificial system as it is written:
Lev_17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
life comes from the blood/sacrifice not keeping the law but by the atonement even in the Old Covenant was this true. But after Christ had come it is written:
Joh_6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
So then it is by blood that one is made righteous and given life.
So it is clear that when Paul speaks of righteousness that comes from the law he speaks of faith in the sacrifice for us. now that Christ has come the law of sacrifice which gave life is fulfilled in Christ who's own blood gives life.
notice what Paul says next:
Rom 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
This is quoted from Leviticus:
Lev 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
it is in relation to the sacrificial system and if you read chapter 17 which leads into this saying you will see the issue is again blood. let me quote it again:
Lev 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
and again:
Lev 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
Paul speaks of this as the righteousness of works, for you had to take the life and offer and offering of blood. but this was only to lead us to the true sacrifice even Jesus who died for us. we are only required to believe/trust/have faith. no longer do we offer any sacrifice.
as it is written:
Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above
Rom 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
see the issue is over sacrifice and this two was quoted from the law:
Deu 30:11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
Deu 30:12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
Deu 30:13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
Deu 30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do
It is not something you have to go get it or preform it yourself it is the work of God. as it is written:
Gen_22:8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
So it is that life comes through the blood but not of animals which are works but of the Christ who gave himself for us.