Bits of Torah Truths – #Torah Concept in the NT: Put on Christ – Episode 681
Romans 13:14
כִּי אִם לִבְשׁוּ אֶת הָאָדוֹן יֵשׁוּעַ הַמָּשִׁיחַ, וְאַל תִּדְאֲגוּ לַגּוּף בִּמְגַמָּה לְהַשְׂבִּיעַ אֶת הַתַּאֲווֹת.
#torah #torahwisdom #torahtruth #torahforlife #torah4you #torahtruth
Romans 13:14
13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. (NASB)
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Paul exhorts believers in Romans 13:14 to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” to clothe themselves in His character and way of life. While the Torah does not use this exact phrasing, it does contain parallels where we are called to “put on” holiness, covenant identity, and obedience… concepts that anticipate Paul’s metaphor of clothing oneself with Christ.
– Torah Parallels to “Put on Christ” –
- Exodus 28:2–3 Priests clothed in “holy garments” illustrate how clothing symbolizes consecration and representation of God. This anticipates Paul’s metaphor: believers “put on” Christ as their new priestly identity.
- Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcising the heart is the inner transformation, not just outward ritual.
- Deuteronomy 11:18 God’s word is described as a covering and guide, similar to clothing oneself with Christ’s teaching and presence.
- Exodus 19:6 Israel as “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” The National identity as God’s representatives Paul reframes this: believers put on Christ to embody holiness.
- Numbers 15:38–40 Tassels on garments to remember God’s commands also anticipates Paul’s metaphor of clothing oneself with Christ’s way.
- Deuteronomy 30:6 here Divine transformation enables obedience and parallels the Spirit’s work in believers who “put on” Christ.
– Key Observations –
- Torah uses clothing imagery for holiness: Priests wear garments of consecration; Israel wears tassels to remember God’s law.
- Paul spiritualizes the metaphor: Instead of garments or tassels, believers “put on Christ” Himself, His character, His Spirit, His way of life.
- Continuity: Both Torah and Paul emphasize that identity before God requires transformation, externally symbolized in Torah, internally realized in Christ.
– Context Synthesis –
- Torah = external symbols of covenant identity: Holy garments, tassels, circumcision, and binding God’s words serve as visible reminders of belonging to God.
- Romans = internal reality of new creation: Paul urges believers to clothe themselves with Christ Himself, embodying His righteousness and love.
- Parallels: The Torah’s external “putting on” of holiness foreshadows Paul’s internal “putting on” of Christ. Both stress that covenant identity requires transformation and visible expression.
The Torah parallels to “put on Christ” are found in passages about holy garments (Exodus 28), tassels (Numbers 15), circumcision of the heart (Deut. 10, 30), and binding God’s words (Deut. 11), etc. These external symbols of covenant identity anticipate Paul’s metaphor of clothing oneself with Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of holiness. This is how Paul taught Torah, the Torah has not passed away!
Visual Summary of Concepts the Torah in the NT
