The Guardian

Greetings!

We have been looking at Galatians 3.  In the verses we saw how the law was necessary to show us our sinfulness, but now Paul is going to explain to us that the Law has served its purpose and something better (grace) has come.  Let's look at verses 23-35: 

23 Before faith came, we were held as prisoners, waiting for faith to be revealed. 24 The law was our guardian until Christ came, so that by faith we could be made righteous. 25 But now, having come to faith, we no longer need the Law as our guardian. 

In these three verses, Paul explains a little more about the purpose of the Law.  In verse 23, he explain how we were previously held as prisoners. If we tie that thought to verse 22, where we are all locked up under sin, we see that we were all prisoners of our own sin.  However, we were awaiting faith, so when Jesus was revealed, we could be liberated, and no longer had to be hald as prisoners.  

Verse 24 explains that the Law had served as our guardian until Jesus came.The word guardian comes from the Greek word παιδαγωγόν (paidagōgon). The Greek-English Lexicon tells us that this word refers to "a male guardian, usually a slave, that oversaw a boy to and from school and directed his conduct.  He was not a teacher, but more of a trainer and guide.  When the boy came of age, he no longer needed a guardian."  

So, Paul is saying that the Law trained us and guarded us until Christ came. Paul is not looking for the Galatians to have an overly negative view of the Law.  The Law had a purpose.  Paul’s point is neither positive or negative in regard to the Law.  He is showing them the Law’s temporary nature.  It served its purpose, as a guardian.  That purpose, however, was to lead us toward Jesus, and show us our need for him.  Now, that Jesus has come, and we can have faith in him, and the Law has served its purpose. In him, we can be made righteous, something that we cannot do on our own, no matter how obedient to the Law we are. 

Here is a thought.  The Law can teach us morality, but it does not and cannot transform our hearts.  It tells us what sin is, but we continue to sin.  True transformation comes through faith in Jesus, not through the Law. Verse 25, then tells that now since we have come to faith, we no longer need the guardian.  

We can see our sinfulness, thanks to the Law, but now in faith, we come of age.  We no longer need the guardian. The Law has served its purpose, but that purpose is temporary.  Now, we walk by faith.