AGAINST THE LAW — PART 3: WHAT DOES “NOT UNDER THE LAW” MEAN?
Grace, Obedience, and the Truth Most Refuse to Face
The law was never the problem. Rebellion was.
Greg Witter | Ephraim’s Cry
Hebraic Mindset Study Series
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Now we deal with one of the most repeated, most misunderstood, and most abused phrases in all of Scripture:
“We are not under the law.”
It is quoted as a conclusion.
It is used as a shield.
It is presented as freedom.
But it is rarely defined.
And if you do not define it correctly, you will build an entire theology on a misunderstanding.
DEFINE THE WORD “UNDER” — THIS IS WHERE THE ERROR BEGINS
The word “under” is not about existence.
It is about position and jurisdiction.
To be “under” something means you are under its authority in a specific function.
So when Paul says:
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)
He is not saying the law no longer exists.
He is saying you are no longer in the position of being judged and condemned by it for your violations.
Under the law = under judgment, penalty, and condemnation.
Under grace = under forgiveness, restoration, and mercy.
This is a positional shift—not the removal of the standard.
PAUL’S LANGUAGE — YOU MUST LET HIM DEFINE HIS TERMS
Paul also says:
“All are under sin.” (Romans 3:9)
Now think carefully.
If “under the law” means the law is bad—then “under sin” would mean sin is good.
That’s absurd.
So clearly, “under” does not mean “aligned with” or “agreeing with.”
It means being under the authority and consequence of something.
So being “under sin” means dominated by it.
Being “under the law” means condemned by it.
Being “under grace” means released from that condemnation.
WHAT DOES PAUL SAY NEXT? — THIS DESTROYS THE FALSE INTERPRETATION
“What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? Elohim forbid.” (Romans 6:15)
If “not under the law” meant there is no law—
Then this question would make no sense.
Because if there is no law, there is no sin.
But Paul clearly says:
Sin still exists.
And grace is not permission to continue in it.
THE SLAVERY LANGUAGE — THIS IS NOT ABOUT FREEDOM TO SELF
Paul does not present this as freedom to do whatever you want.
He presents it as a transfer of mastery:
You were slaves to sin.
Now you are slaves to righteousness. (Romans 6:17–18)
So “not under the law” does not make you autonomous.
It places you under a different authority.
You are no longer under sin’s control.
But you are now accountable to righteousness.
WHAT DOES GRACE ACTUALLY DO?
Grace is not passive.
Grace is not permission.
Grace is not a covering for continued rebellion.
Scripture says:
“The grace of Elohim… teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts.” (Titus 2:11–12)
Grace teaches.
Grace corrects.
Grace trains.
Grace empowers obedience.
So if your understanding of grace allows you to remain unchanged—
You do not understand grace.
THE LAW OF LIBERTY — THIS FLIPS THEIR ARGUMENT
James calls it:
“The perfect law of liberty.” (James 1:25)
If the law is bondage—
Why does Scripture call it liberty?
Because the law does not enslave.
Sin enslaves.
The law exposes that slavery and points you out of it.
EXTERNAL VS INTERNAL — THIS IS WHERE THE COVENANT SHIFTS
Paul speaks of:
“Oldness of the letter” vs “newness of the Spirit.” (Romans 7:6)
This is not law vs no law.
This is:
External command without transformation
vs
Internal transformation producing obedience
Hebrews confirms this:
“I will write My law on their hearts.” (Hebrews 8:10)
If the law was removed—
There would be nothing to write.
The difference is not the law.
The difference is where it resides.
Stone → heart
External → internal
Forced → desired
OBEDIENCE — NOT THE ENTRY POINT, BUT THE EVIDENCE
This must be clear so it cannot be twisted.
Obedience does not save you.
Obedience does not earn covenant.
Obedience is the result of transformation.
You do not obey to become righteous.
You obey because you have been made new.
THE RIGHTEOUS REQUIREMENT STILL STANDS
Paul says:
“That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:4)
Not removed.
Not ignored.
Fulfilled.
The Spirit does not eliminate the standard.
The Spirit enables you to walk in it.
IF “NOT UNDER THE LAW” MEANS “NO LAW”—THEN EVERYTHING COLLAPSES
Follow it again:
No law → no sin
No sin → no need for grace
No need for grace → no need for Messiah
But Paul is teaching grace.
Which means sin exists.
Which means the law defines it.
Which means the standard remains.
COMMON SENSE TEST — THIS STILL DESTROYS THE ARGUMENT
If a man is pardoned—
Is he no longer under the penalty?
Yes.
Does that mean the law he broke is gone?
No.
The law remains.
The penalty is removed.
That is what Paul is saying.
WHY PEOPLE TWIST THIS
Because this is where accountability is removed.
People want:
Grace without repentance
Freedom without submission
Forgiveness without change
So they redefine “not under the law” to mean:
“No law exists.”
That is not interpretation.
That is rebellion given theological language.
YAHUSHA’S STANDARD — HE NEVER LOWERED IT
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
That is not optional.
That is not symbolic.
That is covenant relationship.
And He warns:
“Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:23)
Not ignorance.
Lawlessness.
THE IDENTITY SHIFT — THIS IS WHAT GRACE DOES
You are no longer defined by your violations.
You are defined by your transformation.
You are no longer under condemnation.
You are now responsible to walk in what you have been brought into.
FINAL STRUCTURE — LOCK THIS IN
Under the law → guilty
Under grace → forgiven
Under the Spirit → transformed
Walking in righteousness → restored
FINAL LINE — NO ESCAPE
“Not under the law” does not mean the law is gone.
It means you are no longer condemned by it—because the penalty has been paid.
But the standard remains.
And now you are called to walk in it—not to earn anything, but because you have been changed.
You don’t remove sin by removing the standard—you expose it and deal with it.
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