Jumpstarter 6 of 10

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Question 6

The chapter claims love fulfills specific commands (adultery, coveting) and says these sins were once prohibited “through fear,” but now are obeyed “out of love”—what do you think early Christians meant by obedience flowing from love rather than fear, and how does that contrast with modern evangelical language about “freedom” and “not being legalistic”?

Another way to ask: What does it mean to obey God out of love instead of fear? How is that different from how people today talk about “freedom” and “not being legalistic”?

Direct Answer The transcript suggests early Christians viewed love as an inner motive that naturally fulfills God’s commands—so obedience is not driven by fear of punishment but by love that seeks the neighbor’s good and refuses sin.

Support from Transcript:

“Love is the fulfillment of the law,” and he applies it to concrete commands.
“Love fulfills the commands not to commit adultery and not to covet your neighbor’s wife.”
“In the past, those sins were prohibited through fear, but now we obey them out of love.”
Love’s moral seriousness: “Love hates sin. Love does not permit sin.”
His overall theme ties knowing God to loving others, not to minimal rule-keeping.

Discussion Follow-ups The transcript doesn’t directly address modern evangelical phrases, but it challenges any “freedom” talk that loosens moral seriousness. How can “not legalistic” still mean deep obedience motivated by love rather than fear?

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