Galatians 3:19-24
"Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith," Galatians 3:19-24.
The law was arranged by angels in the hand of a mediator. Moses was that mediator. A mediator is one that intervenes between two parties. The mediator brings two parties together in hopes of making peace between them. The problem here is that the law does not make peace between Holy God and depraved man. It was not given to make peace between Holy God and depraved man. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," I Timothy 2:5. The law is weak in that it cannot save; if it could save it couldn't keep us saved. The law does not proclaim peace with God, but instead proclaims condemnation from God upon all who are law breakers (verses 10-11). In reference to the mediation of Christ in I Timothy 2:5, the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith says in chapter 8 paragraph 9 "This office of mediator between God and man is proper only to Christ, who is the prophet, priest, and king of the church of God; and may not be either in whole, or any part thereof, transferred from him to any other." It was never God's plan to save anyone in anyway apart from His eternal Son Jesus Christ.
We also find in paragraph 1 of chapter 8 of the 1689 LBCF; "It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, according to the covenant made between them both, to be the mediator between God and man; the prophet, priest, and king; head and saviour of the church, the heir of all things, and judge of the world; unto whom he did from all eternity give a people to be his seed and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified." God has never had a plan b, He never makes mistakes, and He never learns because His is Omniscience. It was God's eternal plan to save all those who would believe by grace through faith in Jesus Christ according to Scripture for the gory of God alone. If salvation could be earned in any way, then man would have reason to be glorified. This is another reason it is so important that we understand the doctrines of total depravity and unconditional election.
Verse 21 asks a question, "Is the law then against the promises of God?" Paul is anticipating questions from the Galatians and arguments from the Judaizers. The Judaizers would ask this question as a way to make Paul look bad and bring Paul's teaching into question, the Galatian believers would ask the question to know. Is the law hostile to the promises of God; is the law at war with the promises of God? Paul presents the question, and then gives the answer, "God forbid." This is a strong emphatic answer. The law and God's promises are not at war with each other. Neither do they need to be reconciled. Friends do not need to be reconciled. The law was never given to save anyone. "For if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law." "Have given life" is the Greek word "zoopoieo" and means to give eternal life, to make alive forever in the bliss and privileges of the Redeemer's Kingdom. There has never been a law given that could give eternal life. Eternal life is only through Jesus Christ. This was God's covenant plan from before the foundation of the world. The law does not give righteousness, it condemns.
"But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe," Galatians 3:22. All are under sin, all are sinners; therefore, all are under the curse of the law. This is what the law is continually proclaiming. The law requires sinless perfection in all things all the time. "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all," James 2:10. No matter how old or young you are, you have not ever kept the whole law. The law does not give any concessions. It proclaims, you sinned, so you will go straight to hell for that is what you deserve (Romans 3:9-19, 23).
We deserve hell; we have earned hell and all the torments that come with it. All are under sin; therefore, no one can earn salvation. Thank God for His grace. The promise of salvation is freely given to them that believe. This promise is by the faith of Jesus Christ. Before Christ physically came, the people were shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. The moral law condemned; the ceremonial law could never take away sins; so both pointed the people to the Promised One that was to come.
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith," Galatians 2:24. The law is good, and beneficial. "Schoolmaster" in this verse is usually a slave or freedman to whose care the boys of a family were committed, who trained them up, instructed them at home, and accompanied them to public schools. In the N. T. used figuratively of the Mosaic Law. The law continually said no. It does not matter how hard you try, it always says no, because we sin in thought, word, and deed every day. Ultimately the purpose of the law is to point us to Christ. We can't keep the law to save ourselves. Yet, God requires perfection. God has provided the Way of salvation. We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ alone. In John 14:6 Christ says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," Acts 4:12.
When the Lord does save us, He transforms us. There is biblical evidence that Christ has saved someone (Galatians 5:19-24; I Corinthians 6:9-11). "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new," II Corinthians 5:17. We live a life of repentance, always purifying ourselves, looking for the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (I John 3:1-3). The Scriptures give us assurance that the Lord has saved us. "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God," I John 5:13. We have great comfort knowing the Lord has freely saved us. Do you have that assurance? Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
