The Mosaic Law was faulty from man's perspective because it was weak through the flesh — it could not empower anyone to obey it.
Paul writes that what the law could not do, it was weak through the flesh. Les Feldick explains that the Law only exposed man's sin and condemned him; it offered no power to stop sinning or to save. From man's point of view it was weak and beggarly, and Hebrews 8:7 makes the point that if the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second.
Romans 8:3 — Romans 8:3 directly states that the law was weak through the flesh, which is the biblical basis for viewing the Mosaic Law as faulty from man's perspective.
Hebrews 8:7 — Hebrews 8:7 explicitly raises the possibility that the first covenant was not faultless, since a second covenant was needed.
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:3, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh." The Scripture shows that the Law itself was not the problem; it was weak through the flesh. The Law made demands but could not provide the ability to fulfill them. Romans 3:20 adds, "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." Hebrews 8:7 also says, "For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second." This indicates that the first covenant was not faultless in terms of what it could accomplish.
Les Feldick consistently teaches that from man's perspective, the Mosaic Law was weak and beggarly. He points to Romans 8:3 and Hebrews 8:7 to show that the Law was unable to do what man needed — it could not justify, save, or empower. Les explains that the Law was "weak through the flesh," and that the Holy Spirit now becomes the believer's law. He also says the Ten Commandments did exactly what God intended: they showed the old Adam how he really operated. The Law could only give the knowledge of sin; it had no power to stop sin. Les further teaches that the Law was a severe yoke of bondage that Israel could not bear, and that under the Mosaic system even faith was required along with works — but the legalist left out faith. He concludes that the Law does absolutely nothing but condemn us.
Romans 8:3 says the law was weak through the flesh. Les explains that this was not from God's perspective but from man's point of view — the Law was weak and beggarly. The fleshly human nature rebels against the Law; the Law commands but gives no power. It showed the old Adam how he really operated — bent to idolatry, envy, theft, and taking God's name in vain. The problem was not the Law, but the weakness of human flesh.
The Law was never given to save or to make a person righteous. Les points out that the Law's one purpose was to give the knowledge of sin. The Ten Commandments showed Israel how the old Adam operated: bent to take God's name in vain, worship idols, envy, thieve, and more. Paul says in Romans 3:20 that by the deeds of the Law no flesh is justified; the Law only brings the knowledge of sin. Les emphasizes that the Law has no power to do anything but condemn.
Les explains that Romans 8 begins to answer the dilemma of overcoming the old Adam. Instead of an external law of commandments, the believer now has the indwelling Holy Spirit, which becomes his law. Romans 8:2 says, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." The Spirit gives the power to live in a way that pleases God — something the Mosaic Law could never do.
The Law Weak Through the Flesh
Les connects Romans 8:3 and Hebrews 8:7 to show the Mosaic Law's fault and introduces the indwelling Holy Spirit as the believer's new law.
Impossible to Keep the Law
Les explains it is foolish to claim to keep the Ten Commandments; Israel had to turn to the sacrificial system when they broke the Law.
The Law Only Shows Sin
Les says the Law's one purpose is the knowledge of sin — it shows the old Adam how he really operates.
The Law Is Weak and Beggarly from Man's View
Les points to Romans 8:2–3 to show that from man's point of view the Mosaic system was weak and beggarly.
Works Must Be Joined with Faith
Les explains that the Mosaic system was legalism that also required faith; without faith, works are unacceptable to God.
The Law Was a Yoke of Bondage
Les says the Law was severe and a yoke of bondage that Israel could not even bear, showing how faulty it was from man's perspective.
The Law Condemns but Cannot Save
Les emphasizes Paul's teaching that the Law does nothing but condemn; there is no power in the Law to save.
No Flesh Justified by the Deeds of the Law
Les explains that keeping the Ten Commandments cannot justify anyone, because by the Law is the knowledge of sin.
Hebrews 8:7: For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Shows the first covenant was not faultless in the sense that it could not accomplish what man needed.
Romans 8:3: For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Explicitly says the weakness of the Law was through the flesh.
Romans 8:2: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Shows the contrast between the Spirit's law and the Mosaic law of sin and death.
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.
Says the Law cannot justify and only gives knowledge of sin.
Les teaches that from man's perspective the Law was weak and beggarly. The weakness was not in the Ten Commandments themselves but in the flesh — the Law could not enable a person to keep it. It could expose sin, but it could not provide the power to overcome it.
Les says it is impossible. The Law was severe, a yoke of bondage that Israel could not even bear. Even under the Mosaic system, the law required faith along with works; most people left out the faith element and just did the works, which God would not accept.
Les explains that the Law's only purpose was to give the knowledge of sin. It showed the old Adam how he really operated — bent on idolatry, envy, theft, and every thing the Law prohibits. The Law condemns and exposes, but it was never intended to save.
Watch the Teaching: Romans 8:2 Explained — Free from the Law of Sin and Death