No — there is no contradiction; Jesus answered the rich young ruler while the Law was still in force, and Paul’s grace teaching belongs to believers under grace.
In Matthew 19, Jesus told the young ruler to keep the commandments because Israel was still under the Law. Paul later writes that believers are not under the Law but under grace, yet he never presents grace as freedom to break the commandments. Les Feldick points out that law and grace are two contrary principles, and God has changed His dealing with Israel under Law to His dealing with believers today under Grace.
Matthew 19:16-17 — Jesus gives the rich young ruler the direct answer to keep the commandments while the Law was still in force.
Romans 6:14-15 — Paul states that believers are not under the Law but under grace, and immediately rejects the idea that grace permits sin.
When the young man asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus answered, “if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). This was consistent with the Law that governed Israel at that time. Later, Paul writes to believers, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). He immediately asks, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid” (Romans 6:15). Scripture itself shows that being under grace does not discard the moral weight of the Law, for Paul writes, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).
Les explains that the rich young ruler’s conversation with Jesus happened while the Law was still in force. Jesus’ answer was simply “Keep the commandments,” because Israel was under the Law (Clip 3). Paul’s writings, on the other hand, are directed to believers who are not under the Law but under grace (Clip 4). Les says the difference is like “daylight and dark” and that law and grace cannot mix (Clips 4, 5, 6). At the same time, grace is not license. Paul never tells believers they are free to break the Ten Commandments; the believer obeys from the heart because his appetites and motives are changed (Clips 1, 2).
Les points out that when the rich young ruler asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus answered “Keep the commandments,” because “it was all under law” (Clip 3). The same law context continued into the early chapters of Acts, where the twelve apostles still met at the temple, since no one had yet told them the Law was no longer in force (Clip 3).
No. Les says grace is not license. It changes the believer’s appetites and motives instead of giving permission to sin (Clip 2). Paul asks, “shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace?” and answers, “God forbid” (Romans 6:15; Clip 5). Les also notes that Paul never says the Ten Commandments are of no earthly good; he reiterates them, as with children obeying their parents (Clip 1).
Les describes law and grace as two totally contrary principles that cannot mix. God dealt with Israel under the Law, and He deals with believers today under Grace (Clip 6). The believer is not under the Law but under grace, and salvation is based on God’s unmerited favor, not anything we can do (Clip 4). Law and grace cannot mix, just as Ishmael and Isaac could not dwell under the same roof (Clip 5).
Why Poor Churches Begged to Give - 2 Corinthians 8:1-6
Hello, and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Law’s moral content under grace
Les says the believer under grace automatically adheres to the moral requirements of the law because they now come from within; Paul never says the commandments are useless.
Grace is not license
Les says grace is not a license to sin; it changes our appetites and motives, answering the objection that grace lets people do whatever they want.
The rich young ruler under law
Les points to Jesus’ answer to the rich young ruler — “Keep the commandments” — as proof that this took place under the law, and that even the apostles remained at the temple until told otherwise.
Law vs. grace
Les contrasts being under law with being under grace, explaining that grace is unmerited favor and that coming out of legalism is like moving from darkness to light.
Law and grace cannot mix
Les stresses that under grace we should not let the old Adam control us, and that God commanded the separation of law and grace, as with Ishmael and Isaac.
Two contrary principles
Les teaches that God dealt with the Jew under Law and with believers today under Grace; law and grace will not mix, and Paul constantly warns against legalism.
Ten Commandments still perfect
Les says the Ten Commandments remain the perfect law of a holy God; being saved by grace does not mean freedom to do as we please.
Matthew 19:16-17: And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Jesus gives the rich young ruler the direct answer to keep the commandments while the Law was still in force.
Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Paul’s foundational statement that believers are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:15: What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Paul immediately rejects the idea that grace gives permission to sin.
Romans 13:8: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Paul under grace still upholds the law’s moral requirement, centering it on love.
No. Les Feldick explains that Jesus answered the rich young ruler under the Law, while Paul writes to believers under grace. The two teachings belong to two different programs: Israel under Law, and the Body of Christ under Grace (Clip 3, Clip 6).
No. Les says grace is not license, and Paul never says the Ten Commandments are of no earthly good. He reiterates the commandments and says the believer’s changed appetites and motives lead to obedience from the heart (Clip 1, Clip 2, Clip 7).
Because the Law was still in force at that time. Les points out that even in early Acts the apostles still met at the temple, since no one had told them they were no longer under the Law (Clip 3).
Watch the Teaching: Why Poor Churches Begged to Give - 2 Corinthians 8:1-6