In Jesus’ day Jews made up approximately 10% of the population of the Roman Empire, and probably a maximum of 4% in the entire known world. Therefore, in Romans, Paul refers to the non-Jews who did NOT possess the Law, the Law of Moses, but they showed evidence of “the law” that was written in their hearts, and this would be a very large number compared to the Jews.
For, when nations that have not a law, by nature may do the things of the law, these not having a law--to themselves are a law; who do shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also witnessing with them, and between one another the thoughts accusing or else defending, (Rom 2:14-15, YLT)
The early church was largely Jewish, and Paul was a Pharisee himself prior to conversion, Acts 23:6, and while being the Apostle to the Gentiles, his messages were first addressed to Jews in and around the Synagogues. While Galatian churches were mainly Jews, Ga 3:23, they also had Gentiles Ga 4:8. It may be expected that Paul, being a Jew, writing to mostly Jews, he’d mainly refers to the law, the Law of Moses; but does he write also to include the law recognized in the hearts of Gentiles? I find it helpful when studying Paul about law, to notice the definite article “the” for Mosaic Law, and the absence of the definite article, leaving it open for the law on the heart of Gentiles, and I find the YLT helpful in this.
There was God’s law prior to the life of Moses though not the Old Covenant, the Mosaic Law. In Paul’s sermon to the Gentiles in Athens, Acts 17:16-31, Paul does not mention any “law” as we have it recorded by Luke. I take notice of the absence “the” in reference to law in the following words of Paul:
having known also that a man is not declared righteous by works of law, if not through the faith of Jesus Christ, also we in Christ Jesus did believe, that we might be declared righteous by the faith of Christ, and not by works of law, wherefore declared righteous by works of law shall be no flesh.' (Gal 2:16, YLT)
Paul is not writing about the Mosaic Law alone in Galatians, but about any law or command used as any form of merit in salvation, whether baptism or circumcision, keeping of the 7th day sabbath or any other law. Paul is not speaking solely of ceremonial law, circumcision or baptism as law, but any law, the Gentile law on the heart and the Mosaic Law. When Paul references the commandments speaking of love in Rom. 13:8-10, notice he adds "if there is any other command".
Gal 1:6‑9 Paul rebukes those who “turn to a different gospel,” implying that any reliance on a legal system (whether Mosaic or otherwise) is contrary to the true gospel.
Gal 2:3‑5 He recounts a private meeting with the Jerusalem apostles concerning “the people of the circumcision” and the “requirements of the law.” This refers to the Mosaic covenant but also to the broader expectation that believers live under a set of rules.
Gal 3:19‑25 Paul explicitly calls the law a “guardian” that was placed until Christ came. The guardian is not limited to ceremonial rites; it serves to restrain sinful behavior in general. Gentiles did not have the Mosaic Law as a guardian leading them to Christ, and Paul did not mention law in his sermon to Jews in Athens.
Gal 5:1‑12 He warns against “being circumcised again” (a symbol of returning to the Mosaic covenant) and urges freedom from “the yoke of slavery” to the law, which includes any attempt to achieve righteousness through rule‑keeping of any law.
Gal 5:13‑26 The “works of the flesh” versus the “fruit of the Spirit” contrast a life governed by self‑imposed moral codes (including Gentile moral standards) with a life empowered by the Spirit.
Gal 6:1‑10 Instructions on bearing one another’s burdens and doing good reflect universal moral principles that apply to all believers, regardless of ethnic background.
It is interesting that the Berean Study Bible Interlinear is the only one out of 6 I’ve checked that translates “the” law as if it is in the Greek. I have one Interlinear NT that puts “the” in brackets. Adding “the” is a theological construction not found in the Greek of Gal. 2:16.
For, when nations that have not a law, by nature may do the things of the law, these not having a law--to themselves are a law; who do shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also witnessing with them, and between one another the thoughts accusing or else defending, (Rom 2:14-15, YLT)
The early church was largely Jewish, and Paul was a Pharisee himself prior to conversion, Acts 23:6, and while being the Apostle to the Gentiles, his messages were first addressed to Jews in and around the Synagogues. While Galatian churches were mainly Jews, Ga 3:23, they also had Gentiles Ga 4:8. It may be expected that Paul, being a Jew, writing to mostly Jews, he’d mainly refers to the law, the Law of Moses; but does he write also to include the law recognized in the hearts of Gentiles? I find it helpful when studying Paul about law, to notice the definite article “the” for Mosaic Law, and the absence of the definite article, leaving it open for the law on the heart of Gentiles, and I find the YLT helpful in this.
There was God’s law prior to the life of Moses though not the Old Covenant, the Mosaic Law. In Paul’s sermon to the Gentiles in Athens, Acts 17:16-31, Paul does not mention any “law” as we have it recorded by Luke. I take notice of the absence “the” in reference to law in the following words of Paul:
having known also that a man is not declared righteous by works of law, if not through the faith of Jesus Christ, also we in Christ Jesus did believe, that we might be declared righteous by the faith of Christ, and not by works of law, wherefore declared righteous by works of law shall be no flesh.' (Gal 2:16, YLT)
Paul is not writing about the Mosaic Law alone in Galatians, but about any law or command used as any form of merit in salvation, whether baptism or circumcision, keeping of the 7th day sabbath or any other law. Paul is not speaking solely of ceremonial law, circumcision or baptism as law, but any law, the Gentile law on the heart and the Mosaic Law. When Paul references the commandments speaking of love in Rom. 13:8-10, notice he adds "if there is any other command".
Gal 1:6‑9 Paul rebukes those who “turn to a different gospel,” implying that any reliance on a legal system (whether Mosaic or otherwise) is contrary to the true gospel.
Gal 2:3‑5 He recounts a private meeting with the Jerusalem apostles concerning “the people of the circumcision” and the “requirements of the law.” This refers to the Mosaic covenant but also to the broader expectation that believers live under a set of rules.
Gal 3:19‑25 Paul explicitly calls the law a “guardian” that was placed until Christ came. The guardian is not limited to ceremonial rites; it serves to restrain sinful behavior in general. Gentiles did not have the Mosaic Law as a guardian leading them to Christ, and Paul did not mention law in his sermon to Jews in Athens.
Gal 5:1‑12 He warns against “being circumcised again” (a symbol of returning to the Mosaic covenant) and urges freedom from “the yoke of slavery” to the law, which includes any attempt to achieve righteousness through rule‑keeping of any law.
Gal 5:13‑26 The “works of the flesh” versus the “fruit of the Spirit” contrast a life governed by self‑imposed moral codes (including Gentile moral standards) with a life empowered by the Spirit.
Gal 6:1‑10 Instructions on bearing one another’s burdens and doing good reflect universal moral principles that apply to all believers, regardless of ethnic background.
It is interesting that the Berean Study Bible Interlinear is the only one out of 6 I’ve checked that translates “the” law as if it is in the Greek. I have one Interlinear NT that puts “the” in brackets. Adding “the” is a theological construction not found in the Greek of Gal. 2:16.
