The Letter Kills, But the Spirit Gives Life

Unpacking the Profound Calling of the Torah in Yeshua

You’ve likely heard – or even said – the phrase, “I live by the spirit of the law, not the letter.” It sounds spiritual, modern, even liberating. But do we really understand what it means? When Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:6 that “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life”, was he rejecting the Torah? Was he calling us to abandon objective commandments in favour of a fluid and subjective spirituality? Or was he pointing us to something deeper, more demanding, and more transformative? Let us return, calmly, to the Scriptures, with open minds and sincere hearts.

First, we need to understand the terms. When Paul speaks of the “letter”, he refers to an external, mechanical obedience, carried out without the heart’s involvement, like someone fulfilling a religious protocol just to tick a box. The “spirit” of the law, on the other hand, refers to the divine intention behind the commandment – its moral, relational, educational and sanctifying purpose. This is not a case of Torah versus Spirit, but of lifeless legalism versus life-giving obedience. Paul does not abolish the Torah, he denounces the cold and soulless use of it.

This contrast is powerfully expressed in Leviticus 19, when G‑d declares, “Be holy, because I am holy” (Lev 19:2). This call was not directed only at the priests, but to all the people, who had to be present to hear it. That already tells us something. Holiness, according to the Torah, is not an exclusive spiritual category for the elite, nor a mystical label reserved for a select few. Holiness is practical and everyday. It shows itself in honesty in business, respect for parents, care for the poor, impartiality in judgement, sexual purity, and dignified treatment of foreigners. Holiness is not confined to the synagogue on Saturday or church on Sunday. It is seen in how we treat others in the queue at the shop, in traffic, or online.

And this is where the spirit of the law comes in, because G‑d does not merely desire a people who follow orders, but a people who reflect His character. The Torah was not given to train people in regulations, but to form hearts sensitive to justice, compassion and truth. That’s why Leviticus 19:18 brings one of the most powerful statements in all of Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Yeshua, when asked about the greatest commandment, said that this one, along with loving G‑d, summarises the entire Torah and the Prophets (Matt 22:36–40). Love does not cancel the commandments, it explains them. It justifies them. It sustains them. Not stealing, not lying, not committing adultery, not oppressing – all of these are love made visible.

But the message doesn’t stop there. The medieval rabbi Nachmanides, commenting on this same chapter of Leviticus, wrote a phrase that still resounds powerfully, “It is possible to be repulsive with the permission of the Torah.” What does he mean by that? He is saying that someone may follow the most literal instructions of the Torah and still be a despicable human being. How is that possible? Because the Torah can only set boundaries for things like integrity, justice, kindness, respect, and healthy speech. It does not have the power to legislate character. That’s why commentators across centuries have worked to define what it means to be respectful, honest, and just. Even so, some people always find legal loopholes to continue being morally unacceptable.

This is not confined to the past. We still see such distortion today, even among those who call themselves followers of Yeshua. Although the apostolic writings strongly emphasise ethical teachings and the importance of a transformed character, there are still those who claim to be disciples while actively looking for ways around those expectations. The letter, when used as a shield for the ego, kills. The Spirit, when leading us to truth in love, gives life.

Jeremiah prophesied a new covenant, saying, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts” (Jer 31:33). Yeshua inaugurated that covenant, and Paul understood that it did not abolish the Torah, but internalised it. What was once engraved on stone is now written on the heart. The true disciple is not one who merely memorises verses, but one whose character has been rewritten by the hand of G‑d. This is what Paul means when he says we are “ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit.”

In the Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua shows how the spirit of the law takes practical form. He reveals that the commandment not to kill includes not harbouring hatred. That not committing adultery includes not lusting with the eyes. That the right to seek justice must give way to forgiveness and trust in G‑d. Yeshua did not lower the standard – He raised it. He did not annul the Torah – He fulfilled it, showing its deepest meaning. Living by the Spirit is harder than following the letter, because it requires your whole heart.

The letter kills because it can be used as a tool for condemnation, control, and self-promotion. It can be twisted by cold and proud hearts. But the Spirit gives life, because it is the Holy Spirit who breathes it. He transforms commandments into acts of love. He turns rules into a pathway to intimacy with the Creator. The Torah, in the hands of the Spirit, ceases to be a set of duties and becomes a map to abundant life.

Peter, in his letter, echoes Leviticus when he says, “Be holy in all you do” (1 Pet 1:15). This is not about religious isolation or spiritual perfectionism. It means being honest even when no one is watching. It means treating the delivery driver with the same honour as your spiritual leader. It means living consistently with what you profess to believe. Holiness is not limited to the temple or ritual. It blossoms in the little acts of daily life.

In an age where the world craves authenticity, the disciples of Yeshua are called to go deeper. Enough of empty debates about what is “allowed” or “forbidden”. The right question is, “Does this reflect the character of G‑d? Does this promote justice, mercy, and truth?” Living by the letter is the starting point, not the destination. We are called to more – to live by the Spirit, with hearts inclined, eyes alert, and hands ready to serve.

If this article touched something within you, wonderful. If it made you uncomfortable, perhaps even better. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit uses discomfort to remind us that the letter alone is not enough. We need Him. We need the Spirit who transforms us from the inside out, who teaches us to love as G‑d loves. So, are you ready to live beyond the letter?

 Adivalter Sfalsin