But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
Parallel translations
- WEB But we know that the law is good, if a person uses it lawfully,
- BSB Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.
- NKJV But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,
- NASB But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
- NLT We know that the law is good when used correctly.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul affirms that the law is good when used lawfully, as God intended. It guards against both dismissing the law and misusing it.
Overview
Paul concedes the goodness of the law while insisting it must be used rightly. The problem was not the law itself but its misapplication by the false teachers. Used lawfully, the law exposes sin and points toward the grace found in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Rom 7:12–13Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
- Ps 19:7–10The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
- Rom 7:16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
- 2 Tim 2:5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
- Ps 119:127–128Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
- Gal 3:21Is 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.
- Neh 9:13Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:
- Ps 119:96–105I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
- Rom 7:22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
- Rom 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
- Rom 7:18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
- Deut 4:6–8Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
There is 'one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all' — the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh.
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Original language
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