Nab footnote on Matt 5:17-20

[fhansen]

This footnote from the NAB on Matt 5:17-20 seems more in line with the teachings of many Protestant denominations. I’d be interested in any thoughts on this. Are they saying the Law was abolished after Jesus death and resurrection? In my understanding, grace never abolished the Law, it simply provided the authentic means to fulfill it.

*** [5:17–20] This statement of Jesus’ position concerning the Mosaic law is composed of traditional material from Matthew’s sermon documentation (see note on Mt 5:1–7:29), other Q material (cf. Mt 18; Lk 16:17), and the evangelist’s own editorial touches. To fulfill the law appears at first to mean a literal enforcement of the law in the least detail: until heaven and earth pass away nothing of the law will pass (Mt 5:18). Yet the “passing away” of heaven and earth is not necessarily the end of the world understood, as in much apocalyptic literature, as the dissolution of the existing universe. The “turning of the ages” comes with the apocalyptic event of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and those to whom this gospel is addressed are living in the new and final age, prophesied by Isaiah as the time of “new heavens and a new earth” (Is 65:17; 66:22). Meanwhile, during Jesus’ ministry when the kingdom is already breaking in, his mission remains within the framework of the law, though with significant anticipation of the age to come, as the following antitheses (Mt 5:21–48) show.**

 

[JRKH]

Don’t know if this will answer your question but I look at it like this.

Mt 22:36-40 gives the basis for all of the Law and all of the Prophets…It’s all based on Love.

In Jesus ministry he had no problem with “The Law” being violated so long as the underlying principle of the Law (Agape Love) was not violated. Thus - He had no problems healing on the Sabbath or allowing the Apostles to pick grain on the sabbath.
So - what then is the “jot and tittle” of the Law?? It is Love - the basis of all of the Law.

In Acts 15 we see the Church acting in a manner that devout Jews would see as “outside the Law” when they set aside the old covenant requirements when it came to Gentile Christians. Thus they released Christians from the “legalism” of the OT Law, but not from the “jot and tittle” of the Law - which is Love.

Hope this helps.

Peace
James

 

[fhansen]

Don’t know if this will answer your question but I look at it like this.

Mt 22:36-40 gives the basis for all of the Law and all of the Prophets…It’s all based on Love.

In Jesus ministry he had no problem with “The Law” being violated so long as the underlying principle of the Law (Agape Love) was not violated. Thus - He had no problems healing on the Sabbath or allowing the Apostles to pick grain on the sabbath.
So - what then is the “jot and tittle” of the Law?? It is Love - the basis of all of the Law.

In Acts 15 we see the Church acting in a manner that devout Jews would see as “outside the Law” when they set aside the old covenant requirements when it came to Gentile Christians. Thus they released Christians from the “legalism” of the OT Law, but not from the “jot and tittle” of the Law - which is Love.

Hope this helps.

Peace
James

Thanks, James. I understand what you’re saying-and this explains how even the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees are exceeded, but that footnote seems to be saying that Jesus is still teaching the Old Covenant in Matt 5. A lot of Protestants claim this is and then go on to teach a faith alone doctrine, where the Law is essentially abolished, replaced by the doctrine of grace. My understanding of Catholic theology is that the Law is not abolished in the least, it just needs to be fulfilled, by grace, in the authentic way that you mentioned.