Law-breaker
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Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, a "law-breaker" refers to an individual who transgresses the commandments and statutes set forth by God. The concept of law-breaking is deeply rooted in the narrative of Scripture, beginning with the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). This initial act of rebellion against God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil set the stage for humanity's ongoing struggle with sin and disobedience.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Law, or Torah, given to Moses on Mount Sinai, served as the foundation for Israel's covenant relationship with God. The Law encompassed moral, ceremonial, and civil regulations designed to guide the Israelites in holiness and righteousness. Breaking these laws was considered a serious offense, often requiring restitution or sacrifice to atone for the sin. For instance, Leviticus 5:17 states, "If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment."

The prophets frequently addressed the issue of law-breaking, calling the people of Israel to repentance and warning of the consequences of their disobedience. Isaiah 1:4 laments, "Oh, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children of corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of law-breaking is expanded to include not only the Mosaic Law but also the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus emphasized the spirit of the Law, teaching that true righteousness exceeds mere external compliance. In Matthew 5:19, He warns, "So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven."

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the nature of law-breaking, explaining that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). He underscores the universality of sin and the inability of the Law to justify humanity, stating in Romans 7:7, "What then shall we say? Is the Law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been aware of sin if it had not been for the Law."

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, law-breaking is synonymous with sin, which separates humanity from God. The Law serves to reveal sin and the need for a Savior. In Galatians 3:24, Paul writes, "So the Law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith." The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and the remedy for sin. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, believers are offered forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

Practical Application

For Christians, understanding the gravity of law-breaking is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. Believers are called to live in obedience to God's commandments, empowered by the Holy Spirit. In 1 John 3:4, it is written, "Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness." Thus, Christians are encouraged to pursue holiness and to rely on God's grace for transformation and sanctification.

In summary, the biblical concept of a law-breaker encompasses the universal human condition of sin and the need for divine redemption through Jesus Christ. The Law reveals sin, while grace offers the solution, calling believers to a life of obedience and faith.
Greek
3848. parabates -- one who stands beside
... Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: parabates Phonetic Spelling: (par-ab-at'-
ace) Short Definition: a transgressor Definition: a transgressor, law-breaker ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3848.htm - 7k
Library

Our Status.
... status, but his sovereign or judge determines it for him, the status of this clerk,
altho innocent, is, from the moment of his conviction, that of a law-breaker ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxi our status.htm

Christianity
... The sermon of the preacher should appeal to the law-maker rather than to the
law-breaker; it should arouse men, not to the danger of a hell far off, but to a ...
/.../haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/christianity.htm

The Good Samaritan
... Supreme love to God and impartial love to man are the principles to be wrought
out in the life. The lawyer found himself a lawbreaker. ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 54 the good samaritan.htm

Our Death.
... But there is also punishment, which is the Lawgiver's act of upholding His law against
the lawbreaker. The Sacred Scripture calls this punishment "death.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xvi our death.htm

The First Evangelists
... court of justice. These are necessary to strike terror to the lawbreaker,
but the loving missionary can do more than this. Often the ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 37 the first evangelists.htm

Certainty of Our Justification.
... whereby a boy can be registered as a girl; the peasant's child for that of a nobleman;
whereby a law-abiding citizen can be judged as a law-breaker, and vice ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxiii certainty of our justification.htm

Yokes of Wood and Iron
... who was the type of them all said, 'Every man that seeth me shall kill me': if you
think of the sword that hangs over the head of every law-breaker, and which ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/yokes of wood and iron.htm

The Morning-Meal in the Pharisee's House - Meals and Feasts among ...
... The company responded by Amen, always supposing the benediction to have been
spoken by an Israelite, not a heathen, slave, nor law-breaker. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii the morning-meal in.htm

On the Great Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria.
... For it is not the intruder, but he whose rights are intruded upon, who is the successor,
not the lawbreaker, but the lawfully appointed, not the man of ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxi on the great.htm

A Tribute from Enemies
... sake, refuses to render active obedience to an unrighteous law, and unresistingly
accepts the appointed penalty, he is not properly regarded as a law-breaker. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a tribute from enemies.htm

Thesaurus
Lawbreaker (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lawbreaker (3 Occurrences). ... Galatians 2:18 For if I build
up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker. ...
/l/lawbreaker.htm - 7k

Law-breaker (3 Occurrences)
Law-breaker. Lawbreaker, Law-breaker. Lawbreakers . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEB). Lawbreaker, Law-breaker. Lawbreakers . Reference Bible.
/l/law-breaker.htm - 7k

Outlaw (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A lawbreaker; a fugitive; a habitual
criminal. 2. (vt) To deprive of the benefit and protection ...
/o/outlaw.htm - 8k

Obeys (17 Occurrences)
... if he scrupulously obeys the Law, shall he not sit in judgement upon you who,
possessing, as you do, a written Law and circumcision, are yet a Law-breaker? ...
/o/obeys.htm - 11k

Lawbreakers (2 Occurrences)

/l/lawbreakers.htm - 6k

Gentile (24 Occurrences)
... if he scrupulously obeys the Law, shall he not sit in judgement upon you who,
possessing, as you do, a written Law and circumcision, are yet a Law-breaker? ...
/g/gentile.htm - 13k

Tore (59 Occurrences)
... rods. (WEB NAS RSV). Galatians 2:18 For if I build up again those things
which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker. (See RSV). ...
/t/tore.htm - 25k

Possessing (18 Occurrences)
... if he scrupulously obeys the Law, shall he not sit in judgement upon you who,
possessing, as you do, a written Law and circumcision, are yet a Law-breaker? ...
/p/possessing.htm - 12k

Circumcised (58 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:25 Circumcision does indeed profit, if you obey the Law; but if you are
a Law-breaker, the fact that you have been circumcised counts for nothing. ...
/c/circumcised.htm - 24k

Resources
What should Christians learn from the Mosaic Law? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between the ceremonial law, the moral law, and the judicial law in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

What was the purpose of the Levitical Law? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Law-breaker (3 Occurrences)

Romans 2:25
Circumcision does indeed profit, if you obey the Law; but if you are a Law-breaker, the fact that you have been circumcised counts for nothing.
(WEY)

Romans 2:27
although he is a Gentile by birth, if he scrupulously obeys the Law, shall he not sit in judgement upon you who, possessing, as you do, a written Law and circumcision, are yet a Law-breaker?
(WEY)

Galatians 2:18
For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker.
(WEB)

Subtopics

Law-breaker

Related Terms

Lawful (38 Occurrences)

Law-breaker (3 Occurrences)

Lawbreaker
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