保羅的律法 Paul and the Law

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保羅在新約書信裡常用一個字 ──「律法」。他在羅馬書中，不厭其煩地解釋恩典、罪與律法的關係。「我們曉得“律法”上的話都是對“律法”以下之人說的，好塞住各人的口，叫普世的人都伏在神審判之下。所以凡有血氣的，沒有一個因行“律法”能在神面前稱義，因為“律法”本是叫人知“罪”。」（羅馬書3：19-20）「“律法”本是外添的，叫過犯顯多；只是“罪”在哪裡顯多，“恩典”就更顯多了。」（羅馬書5：20）保羅所說的「律法」就是指猶太人所遵行的希伯來“律法書”，תּוֹרָה‎（發音為Torah）中文翻譯成“妥拉”。許多人也把它稱為Pentateuch「摩西五經」，就是舊約聖經的頭五本書──創世記、出埃及記、利未記、民數記及申命記。

「律法」這個字在希臘文是 νομός (發音為 Nomos)。保羅的書信是用希臘文寫的，他選擇用 “Nomos” 這個字。“Nomos” 有法律、標準、規則或法令的含義，它著重於行為的規則與規範 ；相對於 “Nomos”，“Torah” 的含義比 “Nomos” 廣泛得多。“Torah” 的字根為 “hora”，就是英文的 “instruction”，有指導、教學、方向、指引的意思。它著重廣義的 “指南方向”，不是狹義的 “規則限定”。而“hora" 又來自另一個希伯來字אור （發音為Or），“Or”的意思就是“亮光”。它是一個亮光，是一盞燈，它照明你的道路，引導你，讓你看清楚你的走向。Torah 跟 Nomos 含義不同：Torah 有一個道德世界和範圍，它不是黑與白，它不局限於單一和具體的法令，告訴你什麼可以做，什麼不可以做。然而，當「律法」被翻成 “Nomos”， 而不是 “Torah” 時，「律法」的定義順理成章，會透過希臘語的鏡頭被讀者理解（參 Dr. Henry著：Abramson Paul of Tarsus）。同樣都是「律法」一詞，若不分辨 Nomos 與 Torah 其中之不同含義，很容易導致讀者對猶太人那種死板遵循希伯來律法的刻板印象，也因而深深地烙印在那些只對新約聖經熟悉的基督徒心理。

神賜給我們的律法誡命是一個指南。 它像一盞燈，而且是在我們能力範圍之內可以遵行的，不是要讓我們敬而遠之。「我今日所吩咐你的誡命不是你難行的，也不是離你遠的。」（申命記30：11）但許多基督徒把遵行律法視為令人厭惡的 “咒詛”（加拉太書3：13），是人人都討厭的可怕苦差事。其實這是對猶太人“律法” 極不公平的誤解。「猶太民族認為能夠維護、珍惜律法，是上帝賜給他子民的最大喜樂，也是最大的禮物禮物。」( 參Rabbi Tovia Singer著作: Let's Get Biblical)

如果基督徒喜歡用大衛的詩禱告：「行為正直、遵行耶和華律法的，這人有福了！遵守他的法度、一心尋求他的，這人有福了！」（詩篇119：1-2）就會瞭解到，遵行律法既不落後、更不過時。反之，它是上帝賜給我們現今最寶貴的福份和禮物。

Paul and the Law

Paul frequently employs a phrase in his New Testament letters - "the law." In the book of Romans, he elaborates tirelessly on the relationship between grace, sin, and the law. "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." (Romans 3:19-20) "The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more." (Romans 5:20) When Paul speaks of "the law," he is referring to the Hebrew "Torah," which is the law followed by Jewish people, often called "Pentateuch" or the "Mosaic Law." This consists of the first five books of the Old Testament - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

The word "law" in Greek is νομός (pronounced Nomos). Paul's letters were written in Greek, and he chose to use the word "Nomos." "Nomos" carries the meaning of law, standards, rules, or ordinances, emphasizing rules and regulations of behavior. In contrast to "Nomos," the meaning of "Torah" is much broader. The root of "Torah" is "hora’ah"(הוראה), which translates to "instruction" in English, conveying guidance, teaching, direction, and guidance in a broader sense rather than rigid rules. Furthermore, "hora’ah" is derived from another Hebrew word, אור (Or), which means "light." It is a light, a lamp that illuminates your path, guides you, and helps you see your way clearly. Torah and Nomos have different meanings: Torah encompasses a moral world and scope, not strictly black and white, and it goes beyond single, specific laws, telling you what you can and cannot do.

However, when "the law" is translated as "Nomos" rather than "Torah," the definition of "the law" naturally falls into the readers' understanding through the lens of Greek (Note: see Dr. Henry Abramson: "Who was Paul of Tarsus?"). It is important to distinguish between Nomos and Torah to avoid misconceptions and stereotypes about rigid adherence to Hebrew law, which may be deeply ingrained in those familiar only with the New Testament.

The commandments and laws given to us by God are a guide. They are like a lamp, and they are something we can practice within our abilities, not meant to be distant and daunting. "Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach." (Deuteronomy 30:11) However, many Christians have come to view the observance of the law as a detestable "curse" (Galatians 3:13), a dreadful and onerous task. This is a severe misunderstanding of the Jewish "law." "The Jewish nation regards the ability to uphold and cherish the law as the greatest joy God has given to His people, the greatest gift of all" (Note: Refer to Rabbi Tovia Singer's work: "Let's Get Biblical").

If Christians appreciate David's prayer: " Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart." (Psalm 119:1-2), they will understand that observing the law is neither outdated nor behind the times. On the contrary, it is one of the most valuable blessings and gifts God has given us today.