Did Paul ever contradict the teachings of Yeshua?
What did Yeshua say about the Law? We read his remarks below:
Matthew 5:17-19 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place. So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
According to Yeshua, He clearly said that he came not to “abolish” but to “fulfill” the Law and the writing of the Prophets. The question is what does it mean by saying fulfill them? The word “fulfill” does NOT mean to “finish” but to “complete”. The Greek word is “plēroō “, which means to “fill up” or “to accomplish”. For example, if you want your empty glass refilled with water, “pleroo” would be the appropriate word to tell a waitress at a restaurant. It literally means to fill up. When you ask your waitress to fill up your glass with water, you’re not asking her to terminate or put an end to your glass, are you? In the same sense, Jesus came to fill the Law with meaning and bring its meaning to its fullest purpose. We as the followers of Yeshua emulate Him, doing what He did, walking in obedience to the Laws of God.
2 John 1:6 Moreover, love is this: that we should live according to his commands. This is the command, as you people have heard from the beginning; live by it! (CJB)
John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands; (CJB)
Besides, Yeshua went on to say that “…until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place…”. The last time I looked up the sky the Heaven and the Earth were intact. So, that did not happen to terminate the Law. As a matter of fact, Yeshua ends with a strong warning “…So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” You do not want yourself found wanting when we get into the Kingdom one day.
If we are of the opinion that the law is done away with, optional or can be changed, we would have to come to the conclusion that Paul contradicted Jesus. If that’s the case, Paul overrides the teaching of Yeshua. And that cannot be true or Paul did not contradict Jesus’s teachings. On the other hand, Paul faithfully observed the law all through his life. Can you see how ridiculous it is to have Jesus say that the Law will never be changed or abolished and then have Paul turn right around and say the opposite?