So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.
Summary: Today, we discover that the Lawman is not our enemy but our friend.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:24 – Applause”Galatians 3:23 – The Big Gamble
Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.
Summary: Paul returns to his discussion about the law with an interesting metaphor. The law, like the Sheriff in an old Western, can lock people up. What does this mean?
Continue reading “Galatians 3:23 – The Big Gamble”Galatians 3:22b – Letting Go, Grabbing On
… so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Summary: Paul is very close to his topic. So close that he makes assumptions about his audience and what they know. Deconstructing what Paul says requires us to look into the Old Testament for clues.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:22b – Letting Go, Grabbing On”Galatians 3:21 – Promises, Promises
Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
Summary: Paul continues his debate with himself by asking another question and answering it.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:21 – Promises, Promises”Galatians 3:18 – Promises, Eggs, & Chickens
For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
Summary: This is awkward! I just realized that I had skipped over Galatians 3:18. Don’t ask me why because you’ll just get a long list of excuses. So here we are for the first time I can remember, tackling a passage out of order.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:18 – Promises, Eggs, & Chickens”Galatians 3:19a – Waiting for Jesus, Part II
Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.
Summary: Paul talks about the Law as if it were a thing of the past, and for the believer it is. Yet, for everyone who does not yet believe, the Law still exists and is still in force.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:19a – Waiting for Jesus, Part II”Galatians 3:19a – Waiting for Jesus
Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.
Summary: Paul asks a question and then provides the answer. Why do we need the law? We need it until our Shepherd shows up in our lives.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:19a – Waiting for Jesus”Galatians 3:12 – The Physics of Faith
The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”
Summary: Paul draws a contrast between faith and law, which leads to an unlikely comparison between faith and physics.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:12 – The Physics of Faith”Galatians 3:11a – Did God Really Say?
Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God …
Summary: Reliance on the law is a fantasy whispered in our ear by the same serpent who whispered in Eve’s ear in the Garden of Eden.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:11a – Did God Really Say?”Galatians 3:10 – His Name is Jesus
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
Summary: Following the Law is like following God and doing everything he does just like he does it.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:10 – His Name is Jesus”