Home -- English -- Galatians - 016 (The law educated us for Christ and Christ carried us to adoption)
Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson
GALATIANS - I Have Been Crucified With Christ
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Galatians
PART 3: THE LAW OF MOSES AND THE GOSPEL, THEIR INTENTION AND THEIR RESULTS (Galatians 3:1 – 4:31)
4. The law educated us for Christ and Christ carried us to adoption (Galatians 3:19-29)
GALATIANS 3:19-22
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Paul asked the definite question: What is the design of the Law? His churches might have asked him: Is the Law not the word of God too? Then what is the purpose and essence of the Law? Is it only a curse, or does it also include a grace from the Lord? Paul answered that the only unique service of the law is to show our evil. Sin was present in the world before the law was brought down, and before the promise was revealed, but in order that the guilt might appear clearly and lawfully as transgressions, God made the law a criterion for us. Without the law, we do not truly know that we are sinners. Now, in the light of the law, it appeared that all men are guilty.
Therefore, the law renders a negative service, i.e. it educates us for brokenness and repentance, for it is a mirror, which shows us our state before God.
God did not give the law personally to Moses, but he delivered it through angels, for nothing comes directly from God except grace and salvation as fulfillment of the promise. This clarifies to us the difference in function between the promise and faith on one part, and the law, works, and judgment on the other part.
The verse 20 has a variety of interpretations, but it is clear that it means that the law was brought to us by the hands of the sinful Moses who was the mediator of the old covenant, while the new covenant came directly to us from God, for the man Jesus was the Son of God in the flesh, and God is one, and no one else but the Son of God could mediate for the fulfillment of salvation. Thus, Christ is not a sinful human mediator, but the holy one God himself.
Does the severity of the law contradict the kindness of God? Not at all, for it reveals the holiness of God as the measure of our life. The law would never fall, even if heavens and earth passed away.
Yet, he who looks superficially to the law, compares his diligences and good works with it, and hopes to turn the scales of God, goes wrong, for the law brings not life but condemnation, curse, and death. All the religions and churches, which establish their hope on the law, throw their followers into despair.
Truly, the law confines all under sin, unless they look at Christ, their Savior, and recognize that the gifts of God come to us through him. You do not have to do anything in order that God may love you, for he loves you because of the death of Christ. If you believe in his redemption, everlasting powers will flow in you, not because you are talented, good, or clever, but because you accepted the love of God in Christ, and confessed that your are sinful.
PRAYER: O holy God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are our example to whom we must conform ourselves. According to your holiness, we are reprobates; but we take hold of your hand stretched out to us, and believe that you withdraw us to your union, for the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sins, and delivers us from the requirements of the law. Amen.
QUESTION:
- What is the purpose of the law?