Question: You Said Paul Is Not Suggesting The Commandments Were Done Away With In Your Most Recent Article. But In “Ephesians 2:15” He Says Christ Abolished The Commandments.
Donald Bohanon: “Ephesians 2:15” is in relation to Christ abolishing the ordinances of men/commandments of men. These can be defined as many laws, practices, and customs that were added to the ten commandments. Which had essentially watered down the ten commandments of God. Christ also makes reference to this is in Mark 7:7-9. Where he emphasizes the people worship him in vain because they teach for doctrines the commandments of men/ordinances of men.
Instead of focusing on following the ten commandments of God they teach and follow the ordinances of men/commandments of men which consisted of the washing of pots and cups and many other such like things they did. Or many other traditional customs and practices they followed that had nothing to do with the keeping of God’s ten commandments.
So to answer your question, and or respond to your statement, Ephesians 2:15 is merely a reference to what Christ did and was doing in Mark 7:7-9 speaking out against and abolishing the commandments of men/the ordinances of men. By word and deed.
Many other verses also confirm this. False ministers and others using this and a few other verses to suggest Christ abolished the ten commandments are simply more examples of them misinterpreting the word of God because of their lack of understanding and knowledge of it. Because they are unlearned and in addition to that they apply their own personal interpretation to the Bible. As opposed to allowing the Bible to interpret itself.
Paul also makes reference to the same thing in Colossians 2:20-22. In these verses, he emphasizes they are still subject to the ordinances of men/the commandments of men (such as touch not, taste not, handle not). Or in other words, they choose to still follow the ordinances of men/commandments of men but yet disregard the ten commandments of God.
He later emphasizes in verse 22 these are all to perish after the ordinances of men/commandments of men. The abolishing or destruction of the commandments of men is emphasized here. When you are versed in scripture you begin to clearly see Paul never abolished the commandments. In fact, Paul is just a servant and doesn’t have the power or authority to do away with the commandments or anything else. Only Christ or God can do that and they never did. When in doubt always refer back to what God and Christ taught.
Christ also emphasizes in Matthew 5:17 that he came not to destroy the law/commandments but to fulfill it. He can’t very well seek to abolish and establish the commandments at the same time, can he? The Bible doesn’t contradict itself unlearned ministers and others (based on ignorance of the Bible) simply misinterpret the Bible/word of God.