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

 # **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 Law was temporary, a preparatory stage before Christ, who is the true revelation of the Father. The Gospel of Truth describes Jesus as taking on the Law, represented by a book, and being nailed to the cross:  

**"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 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..