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"Therefore the law was our tutor..."

Text: Galatians 3:24a

AN IMPORTANT INFERENCE

It was important that Paul made the following inference as he wrote about the role of the law.

Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ,
that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:24

1. “Therefore”

a) This is a strong inferential particle (Greek “hoste”).

b) Paul’s earlier statements about the law led to this important inference.

c) The inferential particle is often used by Paul to bring to a conclusion a series of arguments made earlier.

2. “The law was our tutor”

a) The law had many uses and they were well known (the judiciary aspect is best known).

b) This particular aspect needed to be highlighted.

c) The law was a tutor (literally “a custodian” in charge of the upbringing of children).

3. “To bring us to Christ”

a) The law was not an end to itself.

b) The end of the law was the Lord Jesus Christ.

c) To read the law without being led to faith in Christ would be defective reading.

4. “That we might be justified by faith”

a) More specifically faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

b) Through faith in Christ and His redeeming work justification is obtained.

c) An important function of the law was to help the individual to find faith in Christ.

THE LAW AND FAITH

How do we draw a balance between the law and faith? Paul succinctly describes the balance.

But after faith has come,
we are no longer under a tutor.

Galatians 3:25

1. “But after faith has come”

a) This faith must be verified as one that is genuine.

b) Only genuine faith in Christ would result in obtaining justification.

2. “We are no longer under a tutor”

The custodian has fulfilled its function! The person who has obtained faith is no longer under a tutor!