Welcome back to Galatians. We have talked a lot about the Law in the last few weeks. Specifically, as believers in Jesus Christ, we are dead to the Law and now alive to God (cf. 2:19). So, the question arises “What was the purpose of the Law in the first place?” That is a great question! Paul answers that very question in the remaining verses in chapter 3 beginning in verse 15:
Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 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. (Gal. 3:15-29)
Quick question: “What came first the Law given to Moses or the promise given to Abraham?” Well, Paul told us in the verses above that the promise came 430 years earlier than the Law. Paul also explains in verse 17 “the Law…does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.” Do you get it? The Law did not erase the promise spoken to Abraham and ultimately to Christ. Remember, “Abraham believed, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” As Paul summarized above, the Law was never given to impart life – NEVER!
So, back to the original question “What was the purpose of the Law then?” Paul explains the answer in verses 23 and 24: “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” As many people have said before, the Law is like a mirror that shows us that we fall short of God’s standards! Do you lie? Have you ever stolen anything before? Have you coveted something your neighbor has? Have you committed adultery (even in your heart)? We can go down the Ten Commandments and see that we miss God’s perfect law. The Law’s purpose is (was) to point us, or lead us, to Christ! The Law doesn’t justify (declare righteous) us. That was never its purpose, but thankfully, Christ justifies us through 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.” Gratefully, God has given us a measuring stick (His Law), so that it can lead us to our need for a Savior! Jesus is indeed the only one who can impart life into us! We, who are in Christ, are now sons and daughters of God! I will end as chapter 3 ends: “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.”