Galatians 3:24

"But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed."

Key Reflection

Before the arrival of faith in Jesus Christ, believers were held under the Mosaic Law, which served as a custodian or guardian until the true faith would be fully revealed and enacted through Christ. This means the Law was not merely a set of rules but a preparatory school that pointed to the freedom and grace found in believing in Jesus.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 24. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster. The word rendered schoolmaster, paidagwgov, whence the word pedagogue, referred originally to a slave or freedman, to whose care boys were committed, and who accompanied them to the public schools. The idea here is not that, of instructor, but there is reference to the office and duty of the paedagogus among the ancients. The office was usually intrusted to slaves or freedmen. It is true, that when the paedagogus was properly qualified, he assisted the children committed to his care in preparing their lessons.

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