In Matthew 5:17, is the word "fulfil" meant as a completion, or the beginning of a new phase, or both?

Question

With this statement being made pre-crucifixion, and pre-pentecost, how can this passage be exegeted to bring it into focus with today's society?

Answer 1

Mt 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Mh; nomivshte o&ti h\lqon katalu'sai to;n novmon h^ tou;� profhvta�: oujk h\lqon katalu'sai ajlla; plhrw'sai.

The precise meaning of "fulfil" has been the subject of much controversy. Throughout Matthew's gospel Jesus is the true mind of God's will as expressed in the Word (cf. Matthew 15:13,14; 16:6,12; 19:3-9; 22:23-46; 23:10).

Fulfilling would appear to be revealing in power and Word, God's will as preserved in the scriptures. I wouldn't take it as fulfilling in the sense of Pharisee-like adhereance to the law. This is further brought out as Jesus continues on to focus on the lawgiver and the spirit of the law as opposed to the letter of the law.

Answer 2

I know you are looking for a sermon for Sunday. Just joking. Now back to the truth at hand. Jn 1:17 to get started and going to Gal. 3 basically the whole chapter. I really like verses 10, 11 and 23-26. Just use the whole chapter. Bless you in the name of Jesus.

Answer 3

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

The Law is there so that we can be conscious of sin. If ever we need a reminder that we are sinners, we have at least 613 reasons why we are!

And Jesus didn't take it away. He was the only one who could complete it. Perfect and without blemish to all of it. God counted his performance and gave that performance to all of us, IF we claim it. And how are we to do that unless we trust Him?

Paul wrote in Romans 3:
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

So it is impossible for us to obtain righteousness by the works of the Law.

And Paul also wrote in Romans 3:
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Since Jesus fulfilled the Law, we can obtain righteousness by faith:
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

So the Law was fulfilled by Jesus Christ, and still no man can resolve His salvation by working the Law of Moses.

The fulfillment was necessary in order that there would be a propitiation (sacrifice acceptable to God) finalized in the death of Christ. Those that trust in him for their grace through that sacrifice become righteous in God's eyes, and we are free from the promise of the penalty for sin.

What this means for us is that we not only have salvation, redemption, and peace with God, but also we have a focus. And that focus is Jesus. ( Hebrews 12:2)

I am saying that with what Jesus did for us we began in our walk with God by focusing on Him in Faith for salvation. We are to continue in our lives looking to Him throughout our Christian experience.

Hebrews 12
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I think that ought to affect us in our lives greatly!

Answer 4

To fill to the full. Jesus came to show us what the Law was, a transcript of the character of God. Jesus lived the law, He kept the Sabbath. We are to walk as he walked, and so we are also to keep the Sabbath.
It amuses me that people have no problem with the Law of God in general, but only the Sabbath commandment.
Satan only needs to deceive you into breaking one commandment, for if we break one then we are guilty of all.

Answer 5

"To fulfil... By accomplishing all the figures and prophecies; and perfecting all that was imperfect."
http://www.newadvent.org/bible/mat005.htm

Christ's statement of purpose. Pretty bold, I'd say. Those words probably zinged a few spines when He spoke 'em.

Answer 6

Fulfillment is to make full.