Setting – Paul explains why the law was given.
Content – The law was added because of transgressions and (v. 24-NLT), “Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian and teacher to lead us until Christ came”. The law was set in place (v. 19), “…until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made”. The law was established to point us to Christ and was put in place until Christ came or (v. 19-NLT); “It was given to show people how guilty they are.”
Paul further reiterates, (v. 21) “For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law” Since the law is not able to impart life, everyone had to wait until Christ came. So (v. 22-23), “…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”
The law (v. 24) “became our tutor”, but now when faith arrived (v. 25) “we are no longer under a tutor”. We are descendants of Abraham, or better, descendants of God’s promise (v. 29) “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise” So we are God’s sons (v. 26) “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” or in NLT version, “And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you”
Application – The law is a tutor that led us to Christ. When Christ came, the law was replaced by the new covenant, which is faith in Christ. Even before the law, God established that righteousness came from believing. The law was established to point out our sin and to realize we can’t be righteous on our own. We needed a savior, which was to be Christ.
What an amazing reality salvation is. From the beginning of time, God established a promise that all will be blessed through Abraham’s seed; that is Christ. I live under the new covenant of faith in Christ redemption. This is a marvelous gift to me. I’m glad God established salvation this way, because I know that I couldn’t do this on my own, just as the law has pointed out. My reliance is Christ and in faith I trust that my redemption is from him.
Content – The law was added because of transgressions and (v. 24-NLT), “Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian and teacher to lead us until Christ came”. The law was set in place (v. 19), “…until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made”. The law was established to point us to Christ and was put in place until Christ came or (v. 19-NLT); “It was given to show people how guilty they are.”
Paul further reiterates, (v. 21) “For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law” Since the law is not able to impart life, everyone had to wait until Christ came. So (v. 22-23), “…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”
The law (v. 24) “became our tutor”, but now when faith arrived (v. 25) “we are no longer under a tutor”. We are descendants of Abraham, or better, descendants of God’s promise (v. 29) “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise” So we are God’s sons (v. 26) “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” or in NLT version, “And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you”
Application – The law is a tutor that led us to Christ. When Christ came, the law was replaced by the new covenant, which is faith in Christ. Even before the law, God established that righteousness came from believing. The law was established to point out our sin and to realize we can’t be righteous on our own. We needed a savior, which was to be Christ.
What an amazing reality salvation is. From the beginning of time, God established a promise that all will be blessed through Abraham’s seed; that is Christ. I live under the new covenant of faith in Christ redemption. This is a marvelous gift to me. I’m glad God established salvation this way, because I know that I couldn’t do this on my own, just as the law has pointed out. My reliance is Christ and in faith I trust that my redemption is from him.
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