Galatians 3:15-29 = February 27

The Real Function Of The Law,                       3:15-23

Synopsis:         The promise was through Abraham’s seed that all nations would be blessed.  This seed referred to Christ.  This covenant was given four hundred years before the law was given.  The law did not disannul the promise or take the place of it. The law was given because of sin.  The law reveals man’s sinfulness and leads him to Christ.  If the law of Moses could have taken away man’s sin, there would have been no need for anything else.  However, the law served until faith should come after which men are no longer under the law of Moses.  Christ saves, the law does not save.

15         Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto.

Paul used a human illustration to establish a spiritual point.  In ordinary life when a man’s last will and testament has been ratified, no one else can set it aside or add a codicil to it.  God made such a promise with Abraham.  The coming of the law four hundred and thirty years later cannot set the promise aside.  Nothing can set God’s promise aside.

16         Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed.  He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

The term seed may be used in a single sense (Genesis 4:25 - Seth), or a collective sense (Galatians 3:29).  Paul used seed in the singular sense to mean only the spiritual descendants of Abraham were to be blessed by one person, that was Jesus Christ.  Paul taught the promise to Abraham was to be fulfilled in its deepest spiritual meaning in one person, the Christ.  Paul wanted to show that only those in Christ would be saved.  If it had been different, he would have so indicated.  Since the spiritual promise was centered in one person Christ, not even the law, could change it.  Therefore, seed referred to Christ; however, it included salvation for all that believed in Jesus Christ and obeyed him.

17         Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four

hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect.

If a human testament once ratified cannot be changed, it is certain the covenant given by God could never be changed.  The promise could not be changed by the law, which came four hundred thirty years after the covenant was made.  The four hundred thirty years comes from Exodus 12:40.

18         For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.

The inheritance was salvation.  The inheritance was promised to men by God through the seed of Abraham, which was Christ.  Being an inheritance, it cannot be purchased or earned.  The inheritance was a gift due to the promise of God to Abraham through Christ. The gift cannot be from the law of Moses and the promise, too.  Since God had promised the gift through Abraham, it cannot be through the law of Moses.  Salvation was not in the law of Moses.  Salvation was in Christ. 

19         What then is the law?  It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.

What was the purpose of the law, if the law of Moses did not fulfill the promise made to Abraham?  The law of Moses was given to show man his sinfulness.  The law of Moses did not save.  The law was to serve in the interim until the Seed should come (Galatians 2:18; Romans 5:13-20; 7:7).  The law could point out sin; however, the law of Moses could not take away sin.  The law showed the need for a Savior.  The law was not given directly.  The law of Moses was given through angels (Deuteronomy 33:2; Hebrews 2:2). It was not given personally. The law was given through Moses, a mediator (Deuteronomy 5:5).

20         Now a mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one.

Moses was a great man; however, he was not divine. Moses acted as God instructed him. Moses stood between God and man. Since Moses was a man, he was temporary and could not be compared to God. A mediator is not a mediator of one means Moses was not divine.  God is one.  Jesus was God as well as man (I Timothy 2:15; John 1:1,14). The promise was given in a superior way by God himself. 

21         Is the law then against the promises of God?  God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law.

The inheritance was due to promise, not to law. The law of Moses was inferior to promise.  Does this mean the law was in opposition to the promise?  No, both the promise and the law of Moses came from God.  They both had a purpose.  The promise and the law of Moses do not conflict. They work with each other.  The law was to point out sin in man and that man could not save himself. Since man could not save himself, he needed a Savior.  The promise showed men the Savior, the way of salvation and the right relationship with God.  If the law had been another way of salvation, there would be a conflict; however, the law of Moss did not save.  There was no conflict. Both are a part of God’s plan to redeem mankind.

22         But the scripture shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

The scriptures referred to the Old Testament scriptures of which the law was a large part.  The scriptures or law defined man's sin.  Man was bound as a prisoner because there was no escape.  The forgiveness of sins and freedom from sin are in Jesus Christ.  Those who believe in Jesus, trust in Jesus and obey his commands will be saved from their sins.

23         But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

This is very similar to verse twenty-two.  The faith means the faith system with Jesus Christ as Savior.  Before this, faith came and man was kept in ward because he had sinned.  There was no way of escape.  However, when Jesus came and died upon the cross, there was salvation through him.

In This Area Of Faith, Christians Are Sons Of God,                  3:24-4:7

Synopsis:         The law was the schoolmaster to bring men to Christ. Since faith has come, men are no longer under the schoolmaster.  Christians are the spiritual sons of God by faith in Christ and obedience to his will.  Men come into the family of God and the right relationship with God at baptism.  All are one in Christ. There is no distinction.  Being in Christ, Christians are heirs of the promise made to Abraham.  As long as one was a child, he was under guardians and stewards.  When everything was ready according to God’s time table, God sent his Son into the world born of a woman, born under the law that he might redeem those under the law. Men could be adopted as sons of God.  Through Jesus Christ, Christians are now sons of God and heirs of the promise.

24         So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

The tutor was the pedagogue.  The pedagogue was usually a slave who took the child back and forth to school.  He was the child’s attendant and disciplinarian. The tutor was to watch over the child each day and make sure he grew up right so he would be ready when his manhood came.  In this way the law was to train and bring men to be ready for the Christ.  The law prepared one to be justified by faith by showing him that he could not justify himself.

25         But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.

When the boy grew to age, he did not need the tutor any longer.  He was no longer under the tutor.  Therefore, when Christ came the law was needed no longer. Men are no longer under the law of Moses.  The law of Moses was taken out of the way at the cross (Colossians 2:14-17).

26         For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.

Being a son of God in the Christian age has nothing to do with race or lineage.  Sonship comes by belief in Jesus and obedience to his will.  When one obeys the gospel, he is added to the family of God and becomes a child of God (Acts 2:41, 46). Sonship is by Jesus Christ, not by the law of Moses.

27         For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.

Paul taught the importance of baptism.  When one believes in Jesus and obeys his command to be baptized, he is added to the family of God and is in Christ (Mark 16:16; Colossians 1:13; Acts 2:41, 46).  It is at baptism that one comes in contact with the saving blood of Jesus and he receives the forgiveness of his sins (Romans 6:3-4).  Faith is essential to salvation; however, baptism is essential to salvation as well (Mark 16:15-16).  When faith obeys the command to be baptized, one is baptized into Christ and he puts on Christ.  One’s sins have been washed away by the blood of the Lamb at baptism (Acts 22:16; Revelation 7:13-17).  The faith system of which Paul taught necessarily includes baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).  Those who speak of being saved by "faith only" leave off a part of the faith system and pervert the gospel.  The Galatians were being taught that they needed to be circumcised to be true children of God.  Paul reminded the Galatians that when they believed in Jesus and were baptized into Christ for the remission of their sins, they became sons of God and nothing else is needed except to remain faithful to Christ (Revelation 2:10).

28         There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.

The Jews considered themselves better than the Gentiles.  The Gentiles looked down upon the Jews.  However, Paul taught that when one became a Christian, he was equal with other children of God in the sight of God.  The physical distinctions may still remain; however, in the spiritual sense Christians are equal in the sight of God.  All Christians        stand before God on the same footing when they have obeyed the gospel of Christ.  All Christians are children of Abraham by faith regardless of race. Christians are one in Christ.

29         And if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.

The promise was made to Abraham’s seed.  If one is in Christ by faith and obedience to the gospel, he is Abraham’s seed spiritually and an heir of the promise.  Paul was teaching the Galatians that the promise to Abraham was received by his spiritual children and the faith system.  The promise was not received by the law of Moses.  There was no need to go back to the law.  The law does not bring salvation.  If one goes back to the law, he is separated from Christ.