what being apart from the law means.

[Neo-Scholastic]

Because in Jesus' "completion" of the Law it was expanded to include thought. Which makes one guilt of sin even if one's thoughts are not undercontrol all of the time. Also remember we are told if we are guilty of breaking the smallest part of the Law, but keep all of the rest in God's POV we are still guilty of breaking all of it James 2:10-13. Which brings us back to a 'righteousness' the surpasses the righeousness of those who dedicated their lives to up holding the law.

Sorry to divert your thread but this stood out for me. It's one of the main reasons why I fundamentally disagree with the precepts of Christianity, irrespective of the truth of the existence of god: this is the definition of thought-crime which is the foundation of the totalitarian concept. Because that concept underlies all of Jesus' teachings, it fundamentally taints all of his teachings with unethical propositions: you first need to accept/capitulate to totalitarianism before you can 'follow Jesus on his path'.

Ignorance of the truth is its own slavery. An impure heart is its own punishment.