Christ Is the End of the Law- Romans 10:4

The Objection

Paul says to the believers in Rome:

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.  (Romans 10:4)

If you are a believer then Christ ended the Law. If you are still attempting to keep the Law then you aren't a believer. 

The Response

This objection is another unfortunate example of bias in translation.  While not entirely incorrect, it leaves the reader with the impression that Messiah has caused the Law to cease.

A more accurate translation might be this:

For Christ is the outcome of the law for righteousness to everyone who is believing [believing is in a present-active tense].

Christ's sinless life is the law's outcome (the result, the goal) for righteousness to everyone who believes.

The Greek word in Romans 10:4 that is translated as "end" is τέλος [telos].  Telos means "the end" in the sense of result, culmination, pinnacle, or outcome.  For example, the exact same word is used in Matthew chapter 26:

Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome [telos].  (Matthew 26:57-58)

Anyone who claims that Messiah ended or annulled the Law must face the words of the Master, Himself:

Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.  (Matthew 5:17)

And for anyone who thinks that Messiah fulfilled the Law, therefore, we don't have to obey it must contend with His following declaration:

For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.  (Matthew 5:18)

The last time I checked, the heavens and earth were still present and had not passed away; therefore, the smallest letter or stroke has not passed from the Law.

There may be some who might agree: "Certainly, the entire Law is intact and in force."  And yet they go on to claim, "But the Law was given to the Jews.  I am not a Jew and therefore not a part of that covenant, so those Laws do not apply to me."  You can find my response to that objection in the article The Law Was Given To the Jews.

Christ's sinless life is the goal of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. And His example calls us to greater heights.

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