Galatians – Part 5

Series – July/August 2022 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Galatians – Part 5

As we continue our Series on The Epistle To The Galatians, let us consider carefully the latter part of Galatians 3. Verses 23-25 ( KJV ) say, “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. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” When the apostle said, “We were kept under the law,” he was not referring to the Gentiles or the Christians. Instead, he was speaking to the Jews, because the law was given unto them only.

In Romans 2:14 we read: “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves.” In this verse the Spirit of God through the apostle tells us the Gentiles did not have the law, neither did God write for them a separate one. Furthermore, in Romans 3:1-2 we are told that the oracles of God, or His words, were committed unto the Jews. The fact is, God did not give the law to any nation other than to Israel. He did not give the law in that day to the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites or Jebusites. Neither did He give it since to the Egyptians, Romans, Germans, Americans, British or Jamaicans. Since the time that God gave the law to the Jews until now, He has not said that any other nation should keep the law along with Israel. He most certainly has not put the Church under any obligation to the law either. In fact, we Christians are specifically told that we “are not under the law, but under grace” (6:14).

Romans 3:19 tells us, “What things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law.” It is clear from this verse that there are some people who were under the law and some who were not. What does it mean to be under the law? Kindly take note of the following scenario. All persons living in a particular country are obligated to the laws of that land. So if visitors and residents of Jamaica break any of their local laws, they must be prepared to pay the penalty. If Canada should pass a law that orders that no one is to eat a certain food, would it prevent anyone in Jamaica from eating that food? No, it would not. This is clearly because those in Jamaica are not under the law of Canada.

The Christian is called to a person – the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not called to a set of rules of “dos” and “don’ts.” Moreover, by following Christ, the Christian fulfills the righteousness that the law requires. The reason I do not steal is not merely because the law says, “Thou shalt not steal” (Ex. 20:15), but because I have not so learned the Christ, either through His teaching or example (see Eph. 4:20). My eyes are to be set on Christ, not on the law. My aim ought to be to please and honor the Christ. I should hate and shrink from sin out of love for the Lord. By following Christ, I automatically fulfill the righteousness of the law.

“Wherefore the law was our [the Jews’] schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come we are no longer under a schoolmaster” (Gal. 3:24-25). One may very well ask the question, “What is a schoolmaster?” “Schoolmaster” has quite a different meaning today than what it meant when the apostle Paul was writing this letter to the Galatians. Today a schoolmaster is a person who teaches in a school or is the head of one. However, this is not the way it is used in the Bible. In the biblical context a schoolmaster is a child conductor, a child governor – a servant who takes his master’s child or children to school. This was the service of the law.

Figuratively speaking, the law was to take the hand of the Jewish man, woman or child and lead them to the Christ, as a servant would take the hand of his master’s child and lead him to school. When that schoolmaster reached the door of the school, he did not enter the school but handed over the child to the teacher standing at the door to welcome the child. The responsibility of the schoolmaster ended there, and he then turned and went his way.

Thus was the law to the Jews. The schoolmaster represents the law, and the teacher represents Christ. There has been the situation where those being led by the schoolmaster were reluctant to let go and enter with the teacher. Today when we exercise faith in Christ, we are not placed under law but under grace. Those who are expected to keep the law are those who live under the law.

As we progress further into Galatians 3 we find baptism is introduced in verses 26-28: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Baptism here could have a double meaning. In water baptism we outwardly profess to have put on Christ. But, by the Spirit’s baptism we are made, in all reality, members of Christ, and in the fullest and deepest sense of the word we have put on Christ.

It is important that everyone who is born again should confess this in the waters of baptism for this is what the Lord has commanded. In Matthew 28:19 the Lord Jesus gave very clear instructions to baptize believers “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy [Spirit].” This baptism is not to bring about salvation. Rather, it is as a result of the salvation already received. The one who is baptized is saying by that act, “I have died with Christ.” When he is immersed in water he is indicating, “I am buried with Christ.” His emergence from the water typifies being risen with Christ (see Rom. 6:3-4). Baptism is a testimony of our association and identification with the Christ, which also publicly defines our place in the world. It is a public declaration to the world that we have taken our stand with Christ; we are no more of this world, and we are as He was in the world.

In Galatians 3:28 we read: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” In this verse we see the common place and enjoyment of each believer in the body where race, social standing, and gender are not taken into consideration. This is the truth of the oneness of the body of Christ.

However, when we view the Church as the House of God, we discover the distinction in duties of men and women. For instance, men ought not to cover their heads when praying or prophesying, while the women are instructed to cover their heads (1 Cor. 11:3-10). The women ought not to speak in the assembly, but men are instructed to speak and to pray everywhere (1 Cor. 14:34-35; 1 Tim. 2:8,11-12).

The final verse of Galatians 3 says, “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (v.29). All those who receive Christ in this period of grace are Abraham’s seed and therefore heirs of Abraham. Still, this did not come about as a result of the law but because of the promise of God, which was made 430 years before the giving of the law at Mount Sinai (see v.17).

I shall close this part with Romans 9:30-33. It reads: “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; as it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion [Zion] a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.”

By Milton Jamieson

Look for Part 6 of this Series next month.

The whole question of sin and righteousness must be fully brought out. There was sin and death before; but the true character of God’s righteous claims and man’s sin, manifested in all its rebellion against God, must be shown as transgression. This was the actual effect of the law. Righteousness was required but was never found in man until the Seed – the Lord Jesus – came. Your salvation must be absolutely of grace, free unmerited favor, “that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe” (Gal. 3:22 KJV). What a gospel this is – so suited to lost and ruined man! Now think of that promise of God; think how it has been confirmed in Christ Jesus. If you are a believer it is given to you; yes, to all who believe. Oh, beware of evil spirits and ministers of Satan who would rob you of this precious gospel of Christ. The law had brought out sin in open transgression; are all now judged under sin that they should be condemned forever? No, that the very steadfast promise of God, by faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them who believe. —Charles Stanley (1820-1890), adapted