Galatians #6

Galatians 3:15–29 ESV

15 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. 19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

In 15-18 — Making the case that the “seed” and/or “offspring” in the promise to Abraham was/is Jesus… He is the one through whom the Promise of eternal life comes, remains, and endures.

And NOW — FINALLY — Paul asks and addresses the question that has been hanging over the letter this entire time — Why was the law even given?

They understand — or they think they understand — how the agitators would answer that question

But why is the law given from Paul’s perspective if it is not essential to our being made right with God?

Galatians 3:19 ESV

19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary.

Three ideas in this passage for why God gave the law:

To Restrain sin — that by giving the law, people will sin and transgress less since God has given them the law.

Doesn’t line up with what Paul says elsewhere about sin.

2. To define sin — “I can’t know if you won’t tell me.”

Romans 4:15 ESV

15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.

Sin --- broader word for how we fail to do God’s will.

Transgression — very specific in 4.15 —that God gives the law so all can have defined and know the specific transgressions.

General Curfew… Specific Curfew

3. To Stimulate sin

Romans 5:20 ESV

20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

The law did not make our situation without Christ better; it actually makes it worse.

The law was not going to be the solution to the problem of sin and death; without the promise of Jesus, the law makes things worse.

Galatians 3:25–26 ESV

25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

Schoolmaster

Nanny/Babysitter/Governess/Guardian

Poppins — 1964 — won academy Award best actress

Sound of Music — 1965 — nominated, but didn’t win

Nobody wants a governess

In Poppins, the kids take matters in their own hands by offering their own job description:

We won't hide your spectacles

So you can't see

Put toads in your bed

Or pepper in your tea

Hurry, Nanny!

Many thanks

Sincerely,

Jane and Michael Banks

In Sound of Music the kids all line up...

Lisle: “I don’t need a governess”

In both, the stories aren’t really about the Poppins/Maria at all — they are about the governess aiding the kids to find their fathers.

Galatians 3:25–29 ESV

25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

No longer under the governess… we are under the promised seed — That is, Christ