The Law of Moses as the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil

The Law Of Moses As An Adversary

# **The Law of Moses as the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil**  

The Law of Moses serves as a type of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, as it imparts the knowledge of sin but does not provide salvation. The apostle Paul affirms this in his letter to the Romans:  

**"By the law is the knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20).**  

The Gospel of Philip makes this connection explicit:  

**"The law was the tree. It has power to give the knowledge of good and evil. It neither removed him from evil, nor did it set him in the good, but it created death for those who ate of it. For when he said, 'Eat this, do not eat that,' it became the beginning of death."** (**The Gospel of Philip 75**)  

The Law, like the Tree of Knowledge, introduced a system of commandments that made humans aware of sin but could not remove their fallen state. Instead, it set the stage for the coming of Christ, who would fulfill the Law and replace it with grace and truth. As Paul writes:  

**"Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby" (Ephesians 2:15-16).**  

The "enmity" in this passage refers to the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, specifically the penalties and divisions that the Law created between Jews and Gentiles. The Law, while given by God, established distinctions that kept the two groups separate, with commandments, rituals, and legal barriers that prevented full unity. Through His death, Jesus abolished the enmity—not by nullifying God's moral principles, but by removing the barriers and penalties that the Law imposed.By doing so, He made peace, creating one new humanity in Himself, where both Jews and Gentiles are reconciled to God as one body. The Gospel of Truth describes how Jesus took on this burden, represented as a book, and was nailed to the cross, signifying the fulfillment and transcendence of the Law: 

**"For this reason Jesus appeared. He put on that book. He was nailed to a cross. He affixed the edict of the Father to the cross."** (**The Gospel of Truth**)  

The Law was the knowledge of sin, and Jesus bore its burden, fulfilling and transcending it. He became the true fruit of knowledge, but unlike the original Tree, He did not bring death to those who partook of Him. Instead, He brought joy and salvation:  

**"He was nailed to a tree. He became a fruit of the knowledge of the Father. He did not, however, destroy them because they ate of it. He rather caused those who ate of it to be joyful because of this discovery."** (**The Gospel of Truth**)  

The imagery of the Tree of Knowledge is further connected to the fig tree, which symbolizes Israel and the Law. Adam and Eve covered themselves with fig leaves after eating from the tree, just as the Jews sought righteousness through the works of the Law. However, these leaves were insufficient, just as the Law was insufficient for salvation. The true covering came from the slain Lamb:  

**"The fig leaves which Adam and Eve covered themselves with also represented the Law, seeing they were replaced by the slain lamb. Their initially glossy appearance typifies well the apparent covering of sin by the Law, which faded in time. The fig tree is a symbol of Israel. It seems reasonable to speculate that having eaten the fruit of the tree of knowledge, they made their aprons out of its leaves, thus making the tree of knowledge a fig tree."**  

Jesus Himself cursed the fig tree when He found it barren, symbolizing the end of the Old Covenant and the coming of the New:  

**"Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, 'May you never bear fruit again!' Immediately the tree withered" (Matthew 21:19).**  

The Pharisees, who strictly adhered to the Law but lacked true righteousness, are likened to this tree:  

**"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness" (Matthew 23:27).**  

The word **"beautiful"** used here is the same word used in the Septuagint to describe the Tree of Knowledge, drawing a connection between the Pharisees and the Law that could only bring death.  

The Law, though divinely given, was not the final revelation of God but a necessary stage in the divine plan. It served to teach humanity about sin and the need for a Savior. As Paul explains:  

**"The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith" (Galatians 3:24).**  

The Gospel of Philip reinforces this idea:  

**"The law was the tree. It has power to give the knowledge of good and evil [for without it we would not know sin nor could we become 'as gods' setting ourselves up as gods in the temple of God (our bodies)]. It neither removed him from evil, nor did it set him in the good, but it created death for those who ate of it [there is no salvation available from the works of the law according to the 'letter' but the 'spirit' of the law was life for those who discerned it as an allegory pointing to the Savior and the power of sonship]. For when he said, 'Eat this, do not eat that,' it became the beginning of death [This Command was the groundwork for the great task of creating sons. Shortly after the precept Adam was given his first taste of free will and his conscience failed him and as a result, construction could now begin on the greatest temple (not made with hands) ever created!]."** (**The Gospel of Philip 75**)  

Thus, the Law was both a curse and a preparation. It revealed sin but could not remove it. It was the Tree of Knowledge that brought death, yet through Christ, who took it upon Himself, it became a means to life. Jesus, the true revelation of the Father, fulfilled the Law and established a new covenant of grace, bringing true righteousness apart from the works of the Law.  

As John declares:  

**"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).**  

Therefore, while the Law served its purpose, true life and salvation come only through Christ, the living fruit of the knowledge of the Father.

The law was the tree. It has power to give the knowledge of good and evil. It neither removed him from evil, nor did it set him in the good, but it created death for those who ate of it. For when he said, "Eat this, do not eat that", it became the beginning of death. (The Gospel of Philip)

For this reason Jesus appeared. He put on that book. He was nailed to a cross. He affixed the edict of the father to the cross. (The Gospel of Truth)

He was nailed to a tree. He became a fruit of the knowledge of the father. He did not, however, destroy them because they ate of it. He rather caused those who ate of it to be joyful because of this discovery.
(The Gospel of Truth)

15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Here is the rewritten 800-word document that aligns with your request, ensuring that all references to the Law of Moses as an adversary or false accuser are removed, while retaining the perspective that the Law represents the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

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**The Law as the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil**  

The Gospel of Philip provides a striking perspective on the nature of the Law:  

*"The law was the tree. It has power to give the knowledge of good and evil. It neither removed him from evil, nor did it set him in the good, but it created death for those who ate of it. For when he said, 'Eat this, do not eat that,' it became the beginning of death."* (Gospel of Philip)  

This understanding aligns with the biblical narrative of Genesis, where the Tree of Knowledge introduced an awareness of good and evil. The Law, given to Israel, similarly brought knowledge of righteousness and sin, yet it could not grant the power to overcome sin entirely. Instead, it revealed the limitations of human nature and the need for something greater.  

Paul elaborates on this in his writings, explaining that the Law, though good and holy in itself, revealed the human inclination toward disobedience. He states, *“The strength of sin is the law”* (1 Corinthians 15:56), not because the Law itself was sinful, but because it exposed sin and made it evident in human actions.  

### **Christ and the Fulfillment of the Law**  

Jesus’ mission was not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, bringing about a new way of reconciliation between humanity and God. The Gospel of Truth describes this fulfillment in symbolic language:  

*"For this reason Jesus appeared. He put on that book. He was nailed to a cross. He affixed the edict of the Father to the cross."* (Gospel of Truth)  

Here, Jesus is portrayed as embodying the Law—"putting on the book"—and bringing it to its intended fulfillment through His death and resurrection. He became the means through which humanity could move beyond the limitations of the Law.  

*"He was nailed to a tree. He became a fruit of the knowledge of the Father. He did not, however, destroy them because they ate of it. He rather caused those who ate of it to be joyful because of this discovery."* (Gospel of Truth)  

Unlike the first experience with the Tree of Knowledge, where eating brought consequences of mortality, Jesus' fulfillment of the Law transforms this knowledge into joy. He grants access to true understanding and reconciliation with God.  

### **Reconciliation and the New Creation**  

Paul explains this transformation in his letter to the Ephesians:  

*"Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby."* (Ephesians 2:15-16)  

The "enmity" described here is the division created by the Law. While it established a standard of righteousness, it also distinguished between those under the covenant and those outside of it. Through Christ, this division is abolished, and all are invited into unity with God.  

### **The Law as a Tutor Leading to Christ**  

Paul describes the purpose of the Law in Galatians:  

*"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."* (Galatians 3:24-25)  

The Law served as a guide, teaching the people about righteousness and sin, but its role was temporary. It was never meant to be the final solution; rather, it pointed forward to Christ. Once faith in Him is established, believers are no longer under the instruction of the Law in the same way, for they have entered into a new relationship with God.  

Paul further explains this shift:  

*"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh."* (Romans 8:3)  

The Law was unable to change human nature because it depended on human effort to uphold it. Christ, however, accomplished what the Law could not by condemning sin itself and offering a new way through the Spirit.  

### **The Spiritual Transformation**  

Galatians 5 contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit, showing how living by the Spirit leads to transformation beyond the requirements of the Law:  

*"If you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law."* (Galatians 5:18)  

This does not mean the Law was evil, but rather that its function as a guide has been surpassed by the life of the Spirit. Those who follow Christ are no longer bound to the written commandments but are led by a deeper, spiritual connection with God.  

Paul connects this transition with the concept of crucifixion:  

*"They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."* (Galatians 5:24)  

Just as Jesus was crucified, putting an end to the enmity created by the Law, His followers are called to crucify their former ways of living. The transformation is not about rejecting the Law itself but moving beyond it into a new reality in Christ.  

### **The Freedom Found in Christ**  

In Colossians, Paul emphasizes the freedom believers have received:  

*"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross."* (Colossians 2:14)  

This does not mean the Law was evil, but rather that its role in condemning sin has been fulfilled. In Christ, believers find a new foundation for their relationship with God, one based on grace rather than adherence to legal commands.  

Paul summarizes this transformation in Romans 7:  

*"But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter."* (Romans 7:6)  

The Law, like the Tree of Knowledge, brought awareness of good and evil, but it could not provide the means to transcend the struggle. Through Christ, humanity is invited into a new life, where righteousness is not attained by human effort but through union with Him.  

### **Conclusion**  

The Law was given as a means of instruction, revealing the nature of righteousness and sin. Yet, like the Tree of Knowledge, it could not grant the power to overcome sin. Through Christ, the purpose of the Law was fulfilled, and believers are now called to live by the Spirit. This is not a rejection of the Law’s value but an acknowledgment that its role has been completed in the new creation established through Jesus. The joy found in Christ is the true fruit of knowledge, leading not to condemnation but to life and unity with God.