νόμος (Nomos)

MEANINGLaw. In the NT's theological usage, primarily the Mosaic law --- the specific legal code given through Moses at Sinai. Thread 5 treats the law as a specific administrative structure for a specific period, not a permanent or eternal arrangement.

GRAMMARUsed in three main senses: (1) the Mosaic law specifically (Romans 3:21 --- 'apart from law'); (2) a principle or rule (Romans 7:21 --- 'I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close'); (3) the OT generally (John 10:34). The theological key is distinguishing these uses --- Paul's 'we are not under law' (Romans 6:14) refers to the Mosaic administrative code, not the moral content of God's character.

SIGNIFICANCENomos in Galatians 3 is the specific Mosaic administrative structure that served as paidagōgos until Christ. Galatians 3:19 ('why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come') names both the purpose and the termination. Thread 5 distinguishes: the law's moral content (God's unchanging character) from the law's administrative function (the paidagōgos period --- complete). Christians are 'not under law' administratively while the moral content of God's character is still binding.

KEY VERSE / SCRIPTURESRomans 3:21; 6:14-15; Galatians 3:10-13; 3:19-25; 5:18.

CROSS-REFERENCESGalatians 3:24 (paidagōgos) · Romans 6:14 · Romans 3:31 (we uphold the law --- it is not abolished)