Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 26, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 21.

“Enquire and make search! and ask diligently.”

782. 1 Tim. 1:7-10. What Law?

To what law does Paul have reference? Light is especially wanted on first clause of verse 9. C. D. M.

The law referred to is the written law of God. God would never have given it in that form if man had not sinned; it would have remained written in man’s heart. But man sinned, corrupted his heart, and defaced the holy law, till in himself he did not know what sin was or what was righteousness. Had he remained righteous, with the law in his heart, he would not have needed the written law. “And the law came in beside, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly.” Rom. 5:20, R.V. “It [the law] was added [in its written form] because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise hath been made.” Gal. 3:19, R.V. God gave the law to convince sinful man that he was a sinner (Rom. 7:7), and to so shut him up to all avenues of escape that he would be directed to Jesus Christ (verses 22-25). The object of the law, then, is to convince of sin and so show men the need of Jesus Christ to deliver them from sin, and to write that law in their hearts, that the law may be kept and never more condemn. See Rom. 8:1-4. It will fill this office of pointing out sin till Christ’s work as priest is over; then the Seed will take possession of the promised inheritance.

783. The Word “Reverence.”

WHAT is the meaning of the word “reverence” in Eph. 5:33?

The word in Eph. 5:33 comes from the Greek word, phobeō, meaning to fear. It is used in the sense of being in subjection to, to consider her husband as the head, “as it is fit in the Lord.” Col. 3:18. Duty to God is first; but duty to God is not a stirrer up of strife at home. It is well in studying this question to read not only Eph. 5:22-33, but 1 Cor. 7:1-17; Col. 3:18, 19; 1 Tim. 2:8-14; 1 Peter 3:1-7. Ask God for wisdom, and seek it in His Word.