Galatians 3:23 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 3:19-92

The apostle having just before been speaking of the promise made to Abraham, and representing that as the rule of our justification, and not the law, lest they should think he did too much derogate from the law, and render it altogether useless, he thence takes occasion to discourse of the design and tendency of it, and to acquaint us for what purposes it was given. It might be asked, ?If that promise be sufficient for salvation, wherefore then serveth the law? Or, Why did God give the law by... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 3:23-29

3:23-29 Before faith came we were under guard under the power of the law, shut up and waiting for the day when faith would be revealed. So that the law was really our tutor to bring us to Christ so that we might get into a right relationship with God by means of faith. But now that faith has come we are no longer under a tutor; for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is no longer any distinction... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 3:23

But before faith came ,.... This is to be understood, not of the grace of faith, which was under the former dispensation, as now; the Old Testament saints had the same Spirit of faith, and the same grace of faith, as for its nature, object, and use, as New Testament saints have; Adam, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, &c.; believed in Christ, and were justified by faith in his righteousness, as we are. It is much better to understand it of the doctrine of faith, which though preached to Adam,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:23

But before faith came - Before the Gospel was published. We were kept under the law, shut up - Εφρουρουμεθα· We were kept as in a strong hold, συγκεκλεισμενοι , locked up, unto the faith - the religion of the Lord Jesus, which should afterwards be revealed. Here the same metaphor is used as above, and for its explanation I must refer the reader to the same place, Romans 11:32 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:23

Verse 23 23.Before faith came. The question proposed is now more fully defined. He explains at great length the use of the law, and the reason why it was temporal; for otherwise it would have appeared to be always unreasonable that a law should be delivered to the Jews, from which the Gentiles were excluded. If there be but one church consisting of Jews and Gentiles, why is there a diversity in its government? Whence is this new liberty derived, and on what authority does it rest, since the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:21-25

The Law designed to be subservient to the promise. Though the Law is inferior to the promise in the four points already suggested, it is not antagonistic to it. I. THE LAW IS NOT ANTAGONISTIC TO THE PROMISE . "Is the Law against the promises of God? God forbid." 1 . The Law and the promise are equally of Divine origin — two distinct parts of the Divine plan, each part with its own distinct purpose to be carried out inside the Divine plan. The distinction between... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:23

The feature which distinguishes this new paragraph ( Galatians 3:23 , Galatians 3:24 ) from the preceding ( Galatians 3:21 , Galatians 3:22 ) is the more distinct statement of the paedagogic function of the Law as preparatory to that economy of grace which was the ulterior purpose of the Lawgiver. In the meanwhile (the apostle here says) we were committed to the custody of the Law. But before faith came ( πρὸ τοῦ δὲ ἐλθεῖν τὴν πίστιν ). The "but" is an-tithetic to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:23-29

The Law-school and the home-coming. Paul, in the present section, pursues the thought of the purpose of Law. It is the tutor to convey certain lessons to the soul and to secure thereby the soul's return to the Father and the home. Let us look at the interesting line of thought thus given. I. THE LAW - SCHOOL . ( Galatians 3:23 , Galatians 3:24 .) The idea was once entertained that the Law, as παιδαγωγός , meant the slave who was entrusted with the guidance of the child... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:23-29

Before and after faith. I. BEFORE FAITH CAME . "But before faith came." The faith which is here brought into prominence is that which was historically manifested when Christ came. Faith existed before Christianity, as is evident from the eleventh of Hebrews. There was trust in the Divine word. But the attitude toward Christ was that of expectancy. "We who had before hoped in Christ." It had been faith along with the observance of the Mosaic Law. But when the gospel of salvation was... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 3:23

But before faith came - That is, the system of salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus. Faith here denotes the Christian religion, because faith is its distinguishing characteristic.We were kept under the law - We, who were sinners; we, who have violated the Law. It is a general truth, that before the gospel was introduced, people were under the condemning sentence of the Law.Shut up unto the faith - Enclosed by the Law with reference to the full and glorious revelation of a system of salvation by... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 3:19-92

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 3:23-29

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 3:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:23

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:21-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:23-29

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:23-29

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 3:23

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