Word Studies¶
Question¶
What is the "law of Christ" (Gal 6:2), the "law of the Spirit of life" (Rom 8:2), and the "law of liberty" (Jas 1:25)? Are these new laws replacing the Ten Commandments, or are they the moral law under a new covenant administration?
G3551 -- nomos (law)¶
Original: nómos Transliteration: nomos Part of Speech: Masculine noun (n-m) Definition: From a primary nemo ("to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals"); law, custom, principle BLB Count: 197 NT occurrences
Translations (169 total mapped occurrences)¶
| Translation | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| law | 95 | 56.2% |
| the law | 49 | 29.0% |
| of the law | 14 | 8.3% |
| a law | 2 | 1.2% |
| to the law | 2 | 1.2% |
| laws | 2 | 1.2% |
| Other variants | 5 | 3.0% |
Semantic Range (from prior studies N080, law-16, law-20)¶
Paul uses nomos in at least four distinct senses: 1. Torah/code -- The Mosaic law as a body of legislation 2. Decalogue specifically -- The moral law (Ten Commandments) 3. Operating principle/pattern -- A governing rule or dynamic (not a code) 4. Pentateuch as Scripture-witness -- The OT writings bearing testimony
Key Verses Showing "Principle" Sense¶
- Rom 3:27 -- "By what law (nomos)? of works? Nay: but by the law (nomos) of faith" -- anarthrous, principle/system
- Rom 7:21 -- "I find then a law (nomos), that, when I would do good, evil is present with me" -- discovered pattern
- Rom 7:23 -- "another law (nomos) in my members...the law (nomos) of my mind...the law (nomos) of sin" -- competing principles
- Rom 8:2 -- "the law (nomos) of the Spirit of life...the law (nomos) of sin and death" -- governing dynamics
Key Verses Showing "Code/Body of Law" Sense¶
- Gal 6:2 -- "fulfil the law (ton nomon) of Christ" -- articular, object of fulfillment
- Jas 1:25 -- "the perfect law (nomon) of liberty" -- described as perfect, looked into, continued in
- Rom 7:12 -- "the law (ho nomos) is holy, and the commandment holy, just, and good"
- Rom 13:8 -- "he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law (nomon)"
The "Law of ___" Genitive Pattern¶
| Phrase | Greek | Article | Reference | Likely Sense |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| law of Christ | ton nomon tou Christou | Articular | Gal 6:2 | Code/obligation |
| under law to Christ | ennomos Christou | Compound adj. | 1 Cor 9:21 | Relational framework |
| law of the Spirit of life | ho nomos tou pneumatos tes zoes | Articular | Rom 8:2 | Operating principle |
| law of sin and death | ho nomos tes hamartias kai tou thanatou | Articular (implied) | Rom 8:2 | Operating principle |
| law of liberty | nomou eleutherias | Anarthrous | Jas 1:25; 2:12 | Code/standard |
| law of faith | nomos pisteos | Anarthrous | Rom 3:27 | Operating principle |
| law of works | nomos ergon | Anarthrous | Rom 3:27 | Operating principle |
| law of sin | to nomo tes hamartias | Articular | Rom 7:23,25 | Operating principle |
| law of my mind | tou nomou tou noos mou | Articular | Rom 7:23 | Governing power |
| law of righteousness | nomon dikaiosunes | Anarthrous | Rom 9:31 | Code/standard |
| law of God | nomo tou theou | Articular | Rom 7:22,25; 8:7 | Code (Decalogue) |
| law of her husband | nomou tou andros | Articular | Rom 7:2 | Binding obligation |
G1772 -- ennomos (within law, lawful)¶
Original: énnomos Transliteration: ennomos Part of Speech: Adjective Definition: From en (G1722) + nomos (G3551); (subjectively) legal, or (objectively) subject to law BLB Count: 2 NT occurrences
Translations¶
| Translation | Count | Verse |
|---|---|---|
| lawful | 1 | Acts 19:39 |
| under the law | 1 | 1 Cor 9:21 |
Key Verses¶
- Acts 19:39 -- "it shall be determined in a lawful (ennomos) assembly" -- legal, proper, within-law
- 1 Cor 9:21 -- "being not without law (anomos) to God, but under the law (ennomos) to Christ" -- literally "in-law to Christ" or "within-law of Christ"
Significance for "Law of Christ"¶
The compound adjective ennomos = en + nomos literally means "in law" or "within the sphere of law." When Paul says he is ennomos Christou, he places himself inside a law-framework defined by his relationship to Christ. This is not anomia (lawlessness) -- it is a positive law-relationship.
G459 -- anomos (without law, lawless)¶
Original: ánomos Transliteration: anomos Part of Speech: Adjective Definition: From alpha-privative + nomos; lawless, not subject to law BLB Count: 10 NT occurrences
Translations¶
| Translation | Count |
|---|---|
| the transgressors | 2 |
| without law | 2 |
| wicked | 2 |
| that are without law / them that are without law | 2 |
| for the lawless | 1 |
| unlawful | 1 |
Key Verse: 1 Cor 9:21 -- Triple Construction¶
Greek: tois anomois hos anomos, me on anomos theou all' ennomos Christou, hina kerdano tous anomous
The verse contains four uses of anomos/ennomos: 1. tois anomois (Dat Pl M) -- "to those without law" (the Gentile audience) 2. hos anomos (Nom Sg M) -- "as [one] without law" (Paul's adaptation) 3. me on anomos theou (Nom Sg M + Gen) -- "not being lawless toward God" (Paul's caveat) 4. ennomos Christou (Nom Sg M + Gen) -- "in-law to Christ" (Paul's actual status)
Paul's self-description: He is NOT anomos theou (not lawless toward God) but rather ennomos Christou (within-law to Christ). His relationship to Christ is the framework of his law-keeping, not the negation of law.
G1657 -- eleutheria (liberty, freedom)¶
Original: eleuthería Transliteration: eleutheria Part of Speech: Feminine noun Definition: From eleutheros (G1658, "free"); freedom, legitimate or licentious, chiefly moral or ceremonial BLB Count: 11 NT occurrences (all translated "liberty")
All Occurrences¶
| Verse | Text |
|---|---|
| Rom 8:21 | "the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God" |
| 1 Cor 10:29 | "why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?" |
| 2 Cor 3:17 | "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" |
| Gal 2:4 | "to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus" |
| Gal 5:1 | "Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free" |
| Gal 5:13 | "ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh" |
| Jas 1:25 | "the perfect law of liberty" |
| Jas 2:12 | "judged by the law of liberty" |
| 1 Pet 2:16 | "not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness" |
| 2 Pet 2:19 | "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption" |
Significance¶
The term appears in both Pauline and non-Pauline writings. The connection between Spirit and liberty (2 Cor 3:17; Rom 8:2,21) links the "law of the Spirit of life" to the "law of liberty" -- both involve Spirit-empowered freedom. James' "law of liberty" uses the same noun (eleutheria) that Paul associates with Christ (Gal 2:4; 5:1) and the Spirit (2 Cor 3:17).
G4102 -- pistis (faith)¶
Original: pístis Transliteration: pistis Part of Speech: Feminine noun Definition: From peitho ("to persuade"); persuasion, credence, moral conviction of religious truth BLB Count: 244 NT occurrences
Key Verse: Rom 3:27¶
"By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law (nomos) of faith (pisteos, Gen Sg F)."
The genitive pisteos modifies nomos. Paul asks "by what kind (poiou) of law?" -- treating nomos as a category with species. The "law/principle of faith" excludes boasting; the "law/principle of works" would permit it.
G5046 -- teleios (perfect, complete)¶
Original: téleios Transliteration: teleios Part of Speech: Adjective Definition: From telos (G5056, "end, goal"); complete in various applications -- of labor, growth, mental and moral character BLB Count: 19 NT occurrences
Key Verse: Jas 1:25¶
Greek: eis nomon teleion ton tes eleutherias "Into [the] law perfect, that of liberty"
teleion is Acc Sg M, modifying nomon. The law is described as "perfect" (complete, reaching its goal). This echoes Psalm 19:7: "The law of the LORD is perfect (tamim), converting the soul."
G937 -- basilikos (royal, kingly)¶
Original: basilikós Transliteration: basilikos Part of Speech: Adjective Definition: From basileus (G935, "king"); regal, belonging to or befitting a king BLB Count: 5 NT occurrences
All Occurrences¶
| Verse | Translation |
|---|---|
| John 4:46 | nobleman (lit. royal one) |
| John 4:49 | nobleman |
| Acts 12:20 | king's [country] |
| Acts 12:21 | royal [apparel] |
| James 2:8 | royal [law] |
Significance¶
James 2:8 is the only use of basilikos for a law. The "royal law" (nomon basilikon) is identified as "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" -- Lev 19:18. This is the same content identified with the "law of liberty" (2:12), linking the two designations.
G1343 -- dikaiosune (righteousness)¶
Original: dikaiosýne Transliteration: dikaiosune Part of Speech: Feminine noun Definition: From dikaios (G1342); equity of character or act; Christian justification BLB Count: 92 NT occurrences
Key Verse: Rom 9:31¶
Greek: nomon dikaiosunes -- "a law of righteousness" (anarthrous nomos + genitive) Israel pursued this "law of righteousness" but did not attain it -- because they pursued it by works rather than by faith (9:32). The problem was the method, not the standard.
G266 -- hamartia (sin)¶
Original: hamartía Transliteration: hamartia Part of Speech: Feminine noun Definition: From hamartano (G264); sin, properly abstract -- an offence, sinful act BLB Count: 174 NT occurrences
Key Verses¶
- Rom 7:23 -- "the law (nomos) of sin (tes hamartias)" -- the governing principle of sin operating in the members
- Rom 7:25 -- "with the flesh the law of sin (nomo hamartias)"
- Rom 8:2 -- "the law of sin (tes hamartias) and death (tou thanatou)"
- 1 John 3:4 -- "sin (hamartia) is the transgression of the law (anomia)" -- sin defined as lawlessness
G3563 -- nous (mind)¶
Original: noûs Transliteration: nous Part of Speech: Masculine noun Definition: Probably from base of ginosko; the intellect, mind (divine or human) BLB Count: 24 NT occurrences
Key Verse: Rom 7:23¶
Greek: to nomo tou noos mou -- "the law of my mind" The "law of my mind" is the governing principle of the renewed mind, which wars against the "law of sin in my members." Context (7:22): "I delight in the law of God after the inward man" -- the law of the mind is the moral law as apprehended and delighted in by the inner man.
G2288 -- thanatos (death)¶
Original: thánatos Transliteration: thanatos Part of Speech: Masculine noun Definition: From thnesko; death (literally or figuratively) BLB Count: 119 NT occurrences
Key Verse: Rom 8:2¶
"The law of sin and death (tou thanatou)" -- death paired with sin as the governing principle from which the Spirit's law frees believers. Compare Rom 6:23: "The wages of sin is death."
G2041 -- ergon (work, deed)¶
Original: érgon Transliteration: ergon Part of Speech: Neuter noun Definition: From ergo ("to work"); toil as an effort or occupation BLB Count: 176 NT occurrences
Key Verse: Rom 3:27¶
Greek: nomos ergon -- "law of works" (anarthrous, genitive plural) The "works" principle is contrasted with the "faith" principle. Boasting is excluded not by the works-principle but by the faith-principle.
G458 -- anomia (lawlessness, iniquity)¶
Original: anomía Transliteration: anomia Part of Speech: Feminine noun Definition: From anomos (G459); illegality, violation of law, or wickedness BLB Count: 15 NT occurrences
Translations¶
| Translation | Count |
|---|---|
| iniquity | 7 |
| iniquities | 3 |
| unrighteousness | 1 |
| to iniquity | 1 |
| of iniquity | 1 |
Key Verse: 1 John 3:4¶
"Sin (hamartia) is the transgression of the law (anomia)." Literally: "sin is lawlessness." If the "law of Christ" replaced the Decalogue, then sin would need to be redefined as violating the "law of Christ." But John defines sin as anomia -- the absence of nomos -- which presupposes a continuing standard of law.
G2537 -- kainos (new)¶
Original: kainós Transliteration: kainos Part of Speech: Adjective Definition: Of uncertain affinity; new (especially in freshness; contrasted with neos which is new in time) BLB Count: 44 NT occurrences
Key Verses¶
- Jn 13:34 -- "A new (kainen) commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another"
- 2 Jn 1:5 -- "not as though I wrote a new (kainen) commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning"
- 1 Jn 2:7 -- "Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning"
Significance¶
Kainos means new in quality or character, not new in time (that would be neos). The "new commandment" of love is kainos in its exemplification ("as I have loved you"), not in its moral content (which is "from the beginning" -- Lev 19:18). 2 John 1:5 explicitly says the "new commandment" is "that which we had from the beginning."
G3550 -- nomothetes (lawgiver)¶
Original: nomothetes Transliteration: nomothetes Part of Speech: Masculine noun Definition: From nomos + tithemi ("to place"); a lawgiver BLB Count: 1 NT occurrence (hapax legomenon)
Key Verse: James 4:12¶
"There is one lawgiver (nomothetes), who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?"
Significance¶
James identifies one lawgiver -- God. This is the same author who writes of "the perfect law of liberty" (1:25), "the royal law" (2:8), and "the law of liberty" (2:12). The single lawgiver behind all these law-designations is God, not a replacement human authority. If the "law of liberty" were a new replacement law, James would need to identify a new lawgiver -- but he affirms there is only one.
Greek Parsing Summary for Key Verses¶
Galatians 6:2¶
Greek: Allelōn ta barē bastazete, kai houtōs anaplērōsete ton nomon tou Christou. - ton nomon -- Acc Sg M with article. Articular accusative = specific, known law. - tou Christou -- Gen Sg M. Possessive/source genitive modifying nomon. - anaplērōsete -- Future Active Indicative 2P (G378 anaplēroō, "fill up, fulfill"). Same root as plēroō used in Gal 5:14. - bastazete -- Present Active Imperative 2P. "Keep bearing" (ongoing command).
1 Corinthians 9:21¶
Greek: tois anomois hōs anomos, mē ōn anomos theou all' ennomos Christou, hina kerdanō tous anomous. - anomos (3x) -- G459, Nom Sg M (adjective). "Lawless, without law." - ennomos -- G1772, Nom Sg M (adjective). "Within-law, law-bound." - theou / Christou -- Both Gen Sg M. Objective genitive: "lawless toward God" / "in-law to Christ." - mē ōn -- Pres Act Ptcp + negative. Concessive: "not being [lawless]" -- present participle = ongoing state. - hina kerdanō -- Purpose clause with Aorist Active Subjunctive: "so that I might gain."
Romans 8:2¶
Greek: ho gar nomos tou Pneumatos tēs zōēs en Christō Iēsou ēleutherōsen se apo tou nomou tēs hamartias kai tou thanatou. - ho nomos (1st) -- Nom Sg M with article. Subject of the sentence. - tou Pneumatos tēs zōēs -- Double genitive chain: "of the Spirit of life." Spirit is the agent, life is the quality. - ēleutherōsen -- G1659 eleutheroō. Aorist Active Indicative 3S. "Set free" -- completed action. - tou nomou (2nd) -- Gen Sg M with article. "From the law of sin and death." - tēs hamartias kai tou thanatou -- Twin genitives: "of sin and of death."
Romans 3:27¶
Greek: Pou oun hē kauchēsis? exekleisthē. dia poiou nomou? tōn ergōn? ouchi, alla dia nomou pisteōs. - poiou nomou -- "Of what kind of law?" poios = qualitative interrogative. Paul asks about the TYPE of nomos. - nomou (both) -- Gen Sg M, anarthrous. No article = qualitative/categorical usage. - tōn ergōn -- Gen Pl N with article. "Of the works" -- specific, known category. - pisteōs -- Gen Sg F, anarthrous. "Of faith" -- matching anarthrous pattern. - exekleisthē -- Aorist Passive Indicative 3S. "It was shut out/excluded."
Romans 7:23¶
Greek: blepō de heteron nomon en tois melesin mou antistrateuomenon tō nomō tou noos mou kai aichmalōtizonta me en tō nomō tēs hamartias tō onti en tois melesin mou. - heteron nomon -- "another (different kind of) law." heteros = qualitatively different. - antistrateuomenon -- Pres M/P Ptcp Acc Sg M. "Warring against" -- military metaphor. - tō nomō tou noos mou -- Dat Sg M with article + genitive chain. "The law of my mind." - aichmalōtizonta -- Pres Act Ptcp Acc Sg M. "Taking captive" -- military metaphor continued. - tō nomō tēs hamartias -- Dat Sg M with article. "The law of sin." - tō onti -- Pres Act Ptcp Dat Sg M. "Which is [existing] in my members."
James 1:25¶
Greek: ho de parakupsas eis nomon teleion ton tēs eleutherias kai parameinas, ouk akroatēs epilēsmonēs genomenos alla poiētēs ergou, houtos makarios en tē poiēsei autou estai. - nomon teleion -- Acc Sg M, anarthrous. "A perfect law" -- qualitative emphasis. - ton tēs eleutherias -- Article (Acc Sg M) + Gen Sg F. "The [law] of liberty." The article here is resumptive, identifying this as a known entity. - parakupsas -- Aor Act Ptcp Nom Sg M. G3879 "look carefully into, peer into." Same word used in 1 Pet 1:12 of angels "desiring to look into" salvation. - parameinas -- Aor Act Ptcp Nom Sg M. G3887 "continue beside, remain." Persistence. - poiētēs ergou -- "Doer of work" -- not just hearer but active practitioner. - estai -- Fut Mid Ind 3S. "Will be" blessed -- future result.
Romans 9:31¶
Greek: Israēl de diōkōn nomon dikaiosunēs eis nomon ouk ephthasen. - nomon dikaiosunēs -- Acc Sg M, anarthrous + Gen Sg F. "A law of righteousness." - diōkōn -- Pres Act Ptcp Nom Sg M. "Pursuing" -- ongoing pursuit. - eis nomon -- "To [the] law" -- they did not arrive at the law-standard they were chasing. - ephthasen -- Aor Act Ind 3S (G5348 phthano). "Did [not] attain/arrive at."
James 2:12¶
Greek: houtōs laleite kai houtōs poieite hōs dia nomou eleutherias mellontes krinesthai. - nomou eleutherias -- Gen Sg M + Gen Sg F. "Of [the] law of liberty." Anarthrous = qualitative. - mellontes krinesthai -- Pres Act Ptcp Nom Pl M + Pres Pass Inf. "Being about to be judged." Future judgment standard. - dia -- PREP, "through/by means of." The law of liberty is the instrument of judgment.
Romans 7:25¶
Greek: ara oun autos egō tō men noi douleuō nomō theou, tē de sarki nomō hamartias. - nomō theou -- Dat Sg M (anarthrous) + Gen Sg M. "Law of God." The mind serves this. - nomō hamartias -- Dat Sg M (anarthrous) + Gen Sg F. "Law of sin." The flesh serves this. - douleuō -- Pres Act Ind 1S. "I serve/am enslaved to." Present tense = ongoing reality. - tō men...tē de -- Contrastive particles: "on the one hand...on the other hand."
Research gathered: 2026-02-26 Study: law-23-law-of-christ