Jumpstarter 2 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion

Question 2

In Romans 6:15, Bercot contrasts “not under law but under grace” with the 1611 KJV’s “not under **the** Law but under grace”; how does each reading reshape what “grace” means in practice, and what kind of Christian life (obedience, holiness, repentance) naturally follows from each reading?

Another way to ask: How does “not under law but under grace” feel different from “not under the Law but under grace” in Romans 6:15? How would each one shape daily Christian life like obedience, holiness, and repentance?

Direct Answer Bercot says the lowercase reading makes grace sound like freedom from any commandments, while the capitalized “the Law” frames grace as freedom from the Mosaic system—not freedom from obedience to God. The first reading naturally produces a Christianity that downplays commandments; the second supports an obedient life shaped by Christ’s commands and “love that fulfills the law.”

Support from Transcript:

He says most modern renderings make Paul “seem to be saying that we Christians are not under any kind of law…simply under grace.”
With 1611 KJV “the Law,” Paul’s meaning changes: “we're no longer under the law of Moses…not necessarily saying that we no longer have any commandments.”
He ties early-Christian faith to obedience: believers “maintain our saved relationship through an obedient love faith relationship with Christ.”
He says Jeremiah prophesied “God's laws would be written in our hearts…not…there would be no laws.”
He quotes Paul’s emphasis on obedience: “keeping the commandments of God is what matters.”

Discussion Follow-ups What do you notice about how “grace” is preached when “law” is assumed to mean any commandment? How would repentance look different under each reading?

Jumpstarter 2 of 10

Add your phone number?

Thank you!

Jumpstarter 2 of 10