Y Not I

I decided to study the word fulfill, based upon listening to the messages on Galatians by Pastor Ron Hyre of Calvary Christian Fellowship in northern Indiana. You can access the messages here. The reason I thought to put this down here is because many hear Matthew 5:17 and think that although Yeshua (Jesus) says that He did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, that when He says He came to fulfill, that it means to do away with, end, expire. So it seemed interesting and maybe useful to see where the same Greek word used in Matthew 5:17 is used other places in the New Covenant Scriptures and see if I could apply the do away with meaning. Here is the Strong’s definition for the Greek word:

G4137
πληρόω
plēroō
play-ro’-o
From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: - accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

Here is a list of the times it is used. We can then go through some of them.

Matthew 1:22; 2:15, 17, 23; 3:15; 4:14; 5:17; 8:17; 12:17; 13:35, 48; 21:4; 23:32; 26:54, 56; 27:9, 35; Mark 1:15; 14:49; 15:28; Luke 1:20; 2:40; 3:5; 4:21; 7:1; 9:31; 21:22, 24; 22:16; 24:44; John 3:29; 7:8; 12:3, 38; 13:18; 15:11, 25; 16:6, 24; 17:12, 13; 18:9, 32; 19:24, 36; Acts 1:16; 2:2, 28; 3:18; 5:3, 28; 7:23, 30; 9:23; 12:25; 13:25, 27, 52; 14:26; 19:21; 24:27; Romans 1:29; 8:4; 13:8; 15:13, 14, 19; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 10:6; Galatians 5:14; Ephesians 1:23; 3:19; 4:10; 5:18; Philippians 1:11; 2:2; 4:18, 19; Colossians 1:9, 25; 2:10; 4:12, 17; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:4; James 2:23; 1 John 1:4; 2 John 1:12; Revelation 3:2; 6:11

• Mat 1:22 Now all this happened so that might be fulfilled (”done away with, ended, expired” or “executed, filled up”) that which was spoken of the LORD by the prophet, saying,
  Mat 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive in her womb, and will bear a son. And they will call His name Emmanuel,” which being interpreted is, God with us.
• Mat 3:14 But John restrained Him, saying, I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?
  Mat 3:15 And answering Jesus said to him, Allow it now, for it is becoming to us to fulfill (”done away with, ended, expired” or “executed, filled up”) all righteousness. Then he allowed Him.
• Rom 8:3 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;
  Rom 8:4 so that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled (”done away with, ended, expired” or “executed, filled up”) in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
• Rom 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves another has fulfilled (”done away with, ended, expired” or “executed, filled up”) the Law.
• 2Co 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds,
  2Co 10:5 pulling down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ;
  2Co 10:6 and having readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled (”done away with, ended, expired” or “executed, filled up”).
• Gal 5:14 For all the Law is fulfilled (”done away with, ended, expired” or “executed, filled up”) in one word, even in this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
• Php 2:1 If there is therefore any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tendernesses and mercies,
  Php 2:2 then fulfill (”do away with, end, expire” or “execute, fill up”) my joy, that you may be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind.
• Col 1:25 of which I became a minister, according to the administration of God given to me for you, to fulfill (”do away with, end, expire” or “execute, fill up”) the Word of God;