Gal 3:23-25 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gal 3:23-29: 3:23-29 Paul contrasts the condition of God’s people under the law before Christ with their condition now under Christ. 3:23 Because sin had imprisoned us (3:22 ), the law was a guard , keeping God’s people in protective custody . . . until the way of faith in Christ was revealed . It made God’s requirements explicit, and thus highlights the need for a Savior. The law also restrains sin by making the consequences of sin explicit.

a3:23-29►

‏ Galatians 3:23-25

Summary for Gal 3:23-29: 3:23-29 ^a Paul contrasts the condition of God’s people under the law before Christ with their condition now under Christ. 3:23 ^b Because sin had imprisoned us (3:22 ^c), the law was a guard, keeping God’s people in protective custody . . . until the way of faith in Christ was revealed. It made God’s requirements explicit, and thus highlights the need for a Savior. The law also restrains sin by making the consequences of sin explicit.
3:24 ^d The law is like a child’s guardian (Greek paidagōgos, “tutor”). In Greco-Roman culture, a guardian was a faithful slave responsible for training and protecting the heir until he came of age.
3:25 ^e the way of faith has come: The principle of righteousness by faith was always operative (cp. 3:6-9 ^f), but the object of that faith and the means of appropriating it are now clear to everyone through Jesus Christ.

• we no longer need the law as our guardian: In Greco-Roman culture, a freeborn child who came of age was no longer under the discipline of a guardian, but was free to rule himself. So, too, those who are “of age” through faith in Christ are free from the guardianship of the law. They serve Christ directly as he leads by his word and Spirit.