Small children cannot be allowed to wander wherever they choose – they will get into danger and may injure themselves. It is an act of love for a parent to set boundaries for their child, even though it may seem to be the opposite. The idea of setting boundaries and limiting freedom provides an illustration for Paul as he considers the difficult issue of God’s law in relation to salvation. We now consider Galatians 3:19-25 Why the law?
1. Law and sin
The legalist opponents of Paul relied on law-keeping to be right with God. Hence the vital question – what is the significance of the law of God in his plan of salvation? In v19 Paul asks, ‘What was the purpose of the law?’ He never questions the status of the law as God’s gift – it cannot simply be dismissed. Paul’s replies, ‘It was added because of transgressions’ (v19) – added by God. This indicates more than the role of the law in restraining sin. Its main function is to expose the reality of human sin as an offence against God. Romans 3:20 tells us that ‘through the law comes knowledge of sin’. The law also showed up man’s guilt with the goal that people would realise their need of Christ – ‘the Seed to whom the promise referred’. In v20 (a very difficult verse) Paul shows the superiority of the promise over the law, since the promise is entirely the work of God. Thus he answers the legalists.
2. Law and promise
Do the law and the promise conflict, as competing ways of salvation? Paul is adamant – ‘Absolutely not!’ (v21). There is a conflict only if the law is accorded a role and power that it does not possess. There is no law that ‘could impart life’ (v21). The law exposes sin and demands obedience but has no power to change the heart. The law has a different purpose, related to the covenant promise – it declares that ‘the whole world is a prisoner of sin’ (v22), leaving sinners no escape from guilt and thereby driving (enlightened) sinners to Christ. In contrast, salvation is provided in the promised Saviour – ‘so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe’ (v22). He alone is able to give salvation. Here is the answer to any kind of dependence on law or works. We have the promise of a Saviour in whom we must believe.
3. Law and faith
Paul now draws the contrast between the role of law and the role of faith. The coming of Christ and his fulfilling his redemptive ministry is crucial. ‘Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law’ (v23). The demands of God’s law for perfect obedience leave sinners no escape route from responsibility before God for their disobedience. But, as Paul has been showing, the condemning role of the law has a positive purpose when God’s grace is at work. The law ‘was put in charge’ (v24) – Paul actually uses the word ‘pedagogue’ – the slave who took the child to school. There is in this an element of harsh discipline, yet the law has a gracious goal, namely ‘to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith’. The law drives sinners to Christ and through him justification is received. Then ‘we are no longer under the supervision of the law’ – we are freed for loving obedience.