Galatians 3 24

Galatians 3:24 kjv

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:24 nkjv

Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:24 niv

So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:24 esv

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:24 nlt

Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith.

Galatians 3 verses

Galatians 3 24 Meaning

The Law served as a disciplinarian or guardian. Its purpose was to lead and protect us until Christ came. Salvation is now available through faith in Him.

Galatians 3 24 Context

This verse is part of Paul's argument in Galatians, directly addressing the Galatian believers who were being persuaded by some Jewish Christians to adopt Jewish customs and circumcision to be saved. Paul argues that salvation is solely through faith in Jesus Christ, not by adhering to the Law. Verse 24 follows the analogy of the Law being a tutor or guardian (paidagogos) for children. This guardian kept the child under strict supervision until they reached maturity. Paul concludes that this guardianship was a temporary measure until the promised seed, Christ, arrived. With Christ's arrival and the establishment of the New Covenant, the function of the Law as a guardian is fulfilled, and believers are now justified by faith. The immediate context emphasizes the shift from a system of legal obligation to one of spiritual freedom and righteousness through faith in Jesus.

Galatians 3 24 Word Analysis

• Ὡς (hōs):
  • As, like, so. Introduces a comparison or statement of function.
  • Signifies the role or capacity of the Law.
• δὲ (de):
  • But, and, now. A conjunction indicating transition or contrast.
  • Connects this verse logically to the previous one, highlighting the consequence of the Law's custodianship.
• ὁ (ho):
  • The (masculine definite article).
  • Specifies "law" as a definite entity or system.
• νόμος (nomos):
  • Law.
  • Refers primarily to the Mosaic Law given through Moses.
  • In a broader sense, it can also mean a principle or standard.
  • Here, it denotes the entire system of legal requirements under the Old Covenant.
• ἡμῶν (hēmōn):
  • Our (first person plural possessive pronoun).
  • Refers to the community of believers, the "us" in context, who were under the Law.
• ἐστιν (estin):
  • Is, it is (third person singular present indicative of εἰμί, eimi).
  • States the condition or function of the Law.
• ὁ (ho):
  • The (masculine definite article).
  • Refers to "paidagogos" as a specific office or role.
• παιδαγωγὸς (paidagōgos):
  • Pedagogue, tutor, guardian, escort, instructor.
  • Literally, a slave who conducted a boy to school and looked after him.
  • Implies supervision, discipline, and leading towards a specific goal.
  • It was not the teacher but the disciplinarian responsible for moral training and discipline.
  • This term captures the restrictive yet protective role of the Law before Christ.
• εἰς (eis):
  • Into, unto, until. Indicates direction, purpose, or time limit.
  • Here signifies "unto" or "until" a certain point.
• Χριστὸν (Christon):
  • Christ (accusative singular of Χριστός, Christos).
  • Messiah, the Anointed One.
  • Refers to Jesus, the culmination and object of the Law's purpose.
• εἰς (eis):
  • Into, unto, until.
  • Repetition reinforces the culmination or arrival.
• πίστιν (pistin):
  • Faith (accusative singular of πίστις, pistis).
  • Trust, reliance, belief.
  • Refers to the faith in Christ that brings justification.
• ἐκ (ek):
  • From, out of. Indicates origin or source.
  • Signifies that justification comes from faith.
• πίστεως (pisteōs):
  • Faith (genitive singular of πίστις, pistis).
  • The source or basis of justification.

Words Group Analysis:

• "ὁ νόμος ἡμῶν ἐστιν ὁ παιδαγωγὸς" (ho nomos hēmōn estin ho paidagōgos): The Law was our guardian. This phrase highlights the Law's function as a protector and disciplinarian, responsible for guiding the Israelites before Christ.
• "εἰς Χριστὸν" (eis Christon): Until Christ. This points to the temporary nature of the Law's role, serving as a guide leading to the coming of Christ.
• "εἰς πίστιν" (eis pistin): Unto faith. This specifies the ultimate purpose of the Law's guardianship: to lead people to faith in Christ.
• "ἐκ πίστεως" (ek pisteōs): From faith. This marks the crucial shift in salvific economy – from reliance on the Law to justification through faith.

Galatians 3 24 Bonus Section

The Greek word paidagogos paints a vivid picture. It wasn't a modern teacher in a classroom, but a slave assigned to a young boy from wealthy or noble families. This paidagogos would wake the boy, escort him to and from school, supervise his studies, ensure his behavior, and often instill moral discipline. His authority was absolute within his charge, sometimes involving severe correction. This highlights that the Law was not merely instructional but disciplinary and restrictive. It controlled life, and its stipulations could be harsh. However, its ultimate aim was beneficial – to prepare the child for eventual freedom and full responsibility as an adult heir. In the same way, the Law prepared Israel for the freedom found in Christ, the ultimate heir. When Christ came, that phase of strict guardianship ended, and humanity entered the era of maturity and direct relationship through faith.

Galatians 3 24 Commentary

The Law acted like a strict custodian, holding God's people accountable and directing them towards the promised Messiah. Its function was pedagogical; it exposed sin, showed the inability of humans to meet God's perfect standard, and pointed forward to a deliverer. This custodian's task was completed when Christ arrived. The Mosaic Law, as a system of salvific requirements, ceased to be the path to righteousness. Instead, justification is now acquired by the believing heart from Christ, received by faith alone. This transition signifies a movement from external, legalistic control to an internal, Spirit-led relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.