Therefore when "sin" is spoken of "the law" has been transgressed, whether there was sin before the law or not.
since sin was in the world long before the law given through Moses to the children of Israel, 430 years after Abraham, 'the law' transgressed before Moses cannot possibly be the one found in Exodus/Deuteronomy/Leviticus/Numbers.
Cain wasn't under Mosaic law when he murdered Abel.
'do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good/evil' is not a Mosaic command. so the fact Eve sinned does not imply the law given at Sinai.
the sin of Satan is pride ((Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28)) -- where does the Sinai law prohibit pride? and when did Satan fall?
Sin is transgression of the law
you're taking this as a pure definition:
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
(1 John 3:4)
may i take this as a definition in the same way?
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
(Romans 3:23)
sin = falling short of the glory of God
therefore whenever there is sin, there is failure to reach the mark of the glory of God?
which is stricter? which is more accurate? neither contradict.
You want to stick to the letter of the law written in stone.
that's not so.
i'm hoping to speak about the spiritual things in the law beyond the carnal commandment. the law, the prophets, and the books of wisdom are testimony of the person and work of Jesus Christ. His words are spirit. i would like us to think, and talk about what the typology and spiritual meaning of the grumbling in Exodus 16-17 are, how they are found in Matthew 4, what the subtext in this amazingly complex conversation between Satan and the Messiah is, and the lie of Satan, in order to see more clearly the antithesis of the lie, which is the glory of God expressed through the Son.
i'm not talking about the veil. i'm talking about what's behind it. that's what the scripture is here for, to reveal Christ. it's not just a prescription for human will-powered outward behavioral modification, it is something divinely magnificent, that the purpose of our very existence is wrapped up in discovering and taking to heart, so that we may have life, and know life.