What did Paul say the Old Testament was written for?
Paul states in Romans 15 that the Old Testament writings were recorded for our learning, not necessarily for our doctrine. These earlier things, including types and pictures, enhance understanding of the New Testament. They instruct believers rather than establish doctrine.
Les teaches that Paul, in Romans 15:4, says all these things written before time—that is, the Old Testament—are written for our learning, not for our doctrine necessarily. Les emphasizes there is a big difference. As we learn all the pictures of the types and everything that took place back in the Old Testament, it enhances what we have to understand in the New. In the context of I Corinthians 5:7, Paul tells the Gentile church at Corinth to purge out the old leaven, because Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. This connects back to Exodus 12 and Israel’s bondage in Egypt, showing how Old Testament pictures and types illuminate New Testament truth.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
More Questions
Who is the Old Testament written for?
Everything written before Paul wrote, that is the Old Testament, is written for the believer's learning, and the same is true of the Gospels.
What was the Old Testament written for according to Romans 15:4?
According to Romans 15:4, the Old Testament scriptures were written for our learning, not for our salvation or our doctrine.