In Galatians 3:23, Paul describes the law as a guarding and protecting force. To what does he liken it in verse 24, and what does that mean? [1. Image “Reading the Torah” © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com] The word translated “schoolmaster” (KJV) comes from the Greek wordpaidagogos. Some versions translate it as “disciplinarian” (NRSV), “tutor” (NKJV),or even “guardian” (ESV), but no single word fully … Continue reading –>
Paul gives two basic conclusions about the law: (1) the law does not nullify or abolish God’s promise made to Abraham (Gal. 3:15–20); (2) the law is not opposed to the promise (Gal. 3:21, 22).[1. Image “Big Hands Protecting Man” © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com] What role does the law actually play then? Paul writes that it was … Continue reading –>
In Galatians 3:23, Paul writes that “before faith came, we were kept under the law.” By “we” Paul is referring to the Jewish believers in the Galatian churches. They are the ones acquainted with the law, and Paul has been speaking to them in particular since Galatians 2:15. This can be seen in the contrast between the … Continue reading –>
“Is the law then contrary to the promises of God?”(Gal. 3:21, ESV). Sensing that his comments might lead his opponents to conclude he had a disparaging view of the law or that his comments about the priority of God’s promises were just a veiled put-down of Moses and the Torah, Paul asks the very question … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Gal. 3:21–25; Lev. 18:5; Rom. 3:9–19; 1 Cor. 9:20; Rom. 3:1, 2; 8:1–4. Memory Text: “Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (Galatians 3:22, ESV). Homing pigeons long have been known for their ability to fly hundreds of miles a day and … Continue reading –>
“In their bondage the people had to a great extent lost the knowledge of God and of the principles of the Abrahamic covenant. In delivering them from Egypt, God sought to reveal to them His power and His mercy, that they might be led to love and trust Him. He brought them down to the … Continue reading –>
Eduarda Araújo My family wasn’t religious until my aunt invited my mother to attend a spirit worship center. Mother was trying to find her way to God, so she went with my aunt. Mother didn’t really understand what she was getting into at the spirit center. She didn’t know that these spirits were not from … Continue reading –>
“ ‘He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us’ ” (Acts 7:38, NIV). [1. Image “Abraham and the Three Strangers” © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com] In Galatians 3:19, 20, Paul continues his train … Continue reading –>
Does Paul’s statement about the law being added at Mount Sinai mean that it did not exist previously? If not, what was the difference before and after Mount Sinai? Read Gen. 9:5, 6; 18:19; 26:5; 39:7–10; Exod. 16:22–26. [1. Image “Sermon on the Mount” © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com] God did not need to reveal His law to Abraham with thunder, lightning, … Continue reading –>
In Galatians 3:19–29 Paul makes multiple references to “the law.” What law is Paul primarily referring to in this section of Galatians? [1. Image “Sin of Adam and Eve” © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com] Some, believing that the word until in verse 19 (ESV) indicates that this law was only temporary, have thought the passage must refer to the ceremonial … Continue reading –>
