Getting down in the Greek
Many people out there have grown up with the notion that Jesus did away with the “Old Law” and implemented a new law. This is very misunderstood especially due to the English language. I want to look at the root of this misunderstanding. Matthew 5:17 is the most often quoted verse to me so let’s start there.
Matthew 517 ~ ‘Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. (KVJ)’
Taking this at face value I would say that you have a good argument but let’s take a dictionary definition of fulfill courtesy of dictionary.com
Link
ful•fill also ful•fil P Pronunciation Key (f l-f l )
tr.v. ful•filled, ful•fill•ing, ful•fills, also ful•fils
1. To bring into actuality; effect: fulfilled their promises.
2. To carry out (an order, for example).
3. To measure up to; satisfy. See Synonyms at perform. See Synonyms at satisfy.
4. To bring to an end; complete.
As you will see there are two definitions here. To measure up to and To bring to an end. Do we just roll the dice and let fate decide? I do not find it so easy. So it is off to the Greek to hopefully resolve this conflict.
Utilizing Biblebrowser.com we will use their greek Lexicon for our study.
pleroo < play-ro'-o: to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish
Now going back to dictionary.com we will look at the word replete.
re•plete P Pronunciation Key (r -pl t )
adj.
1. Abundantly supplied; abounding: a stream replete with trout; an apartment replete with Empire furniture.
2. Filled to satiation; gorged.
3. Usage Problem. Complete: a computer system replete with color monitor, printer, and software.
So if we take the definition of fulfill and the definition of replete what definition do we find in common? I know that you see the word ‘complete’ in replete but look at the following elaboration of the use of ‘complete.’ It is probably not the same definition you had in mind is it?
Jesus didn’t come do away with the law as he states but to replete by following the Laws perfectly. He is our perfect example of how we should strive to live.
He observed all of the Laws and when we say, “What would Jesus Do?” Does that have a new meaning to you?