“Galatians 3:23-29”

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Before “the faith” came, that is to say, the Gospel that proclaims and produces faith in Christ, people were kept “in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed” (verse 23). In the previous verse Paul wrote that, “the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (verse 22).

Taken together we learn that people were “shut up” or “kept in bondage” under sin and under law until Christ came to provide release. Paul explains the relationship between sin and law and the victory in Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15:56-57: “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“The law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ” (verse 24). The “tutor” or “schoolmaster” was a much different position in first century Roman and Greek culture than what most of us are familiar with today.

Quoting Mike Willis in his commentary: “The paidagogos was a slave who was charged with attending an upper-class boy during his years before reaching maturity. He had the duty of conducting the boy to and from school, although he had not responsibilities as the teacher; rather, his job was to take the boy to the teacher. The paidagogos was responsible for the conduct of the boy under his care and, therefore, became a stern enforcer of morals. The boy was seldom allowed to get out of the sight of his paidagogos. Once the boy reached his maturity, he no longer needed a paidagogos but then obtained his freedom.”

Galatians by Mike Willis, Truth Commentaries, © Guardian of Truth Foundation 1994, pages 163-164

There have been many comparisons made between the “tutor” and “the Law”, but the main point Paul makes here is that Christ has released us from the “custody” of the Law, just as a boy was freed from the authority of his schoolmaster when he reached the age of maturity. The context speaks of a singular historic event that took place in the past, and that has a lasting effect on humanity and mankind’s relationship with God. When Christ brought “the faith of the Gospel” (Philippians 1:27) into the world, He fulfilled and replaced the Law of Moses (Romans 10:4).

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (verse 27). We become God’s children, not by faithful adherence to the Old Testament and the Law of Moses, but by obedient faith to Christ Jesus and to “the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 1:3). We receive our “introduction” into “The Faith” when we believe in Jesus, repent of our sins, and are “baptized into Christ” for the forgiveness of sins (verse 27, Acts 2:38). When we are baptized “into” Christ, we enter into a covenant relationship with Him, and we “clothe” ourselves with Him. That is to say, we intentionally “put on” His traits, behaviors, virtues and qualities.

When we have done this (put Him on in baptism), and when we continue to do this (further adopt His qualities and Characteristics), then we truly “are Abraham’s descendants” and “heirs according to the promise” (verse 29)! 
These truths will prevail forever, no matter who reigns temporarily as kings and presidents on earth!

Please read Galatians 4:1-7 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

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