“Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:23–29

Paul writes: “before faith came, we were held in custody, or imprisoned, and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our guardian or disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith”. The word translated “disciplinarian” in the NRSV is “paidagōgos” in Greek. In wealthy Greek and Roman families, a “paidagōgos” was a slave entrusted with the care and discipline of a child when the child was not in school, until the child reached the age of adulthood. The metaphor suggests that the authority of the law is transitory, lasting only until something is attained, reached – here it is understood to be until Christ came, so that then, once the law is abolished, we might be justified by faith.

“But now that faith has come,” Paul continues, “we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith”. The word translated “children” in the NRSV is “sons” (in Greek “huioi”). Sons would enjoy full rights of inheritance from their fathers. Yet it is clear that Paul intends the meaning to be gender-inclusive because, now that Christ has come, the rite of entry into G-d’s people is no longer circumcision (available only to “sons” or males) but the rite of entry is through baptism, available to all.

And then Paul says that when we are baptized into Christ we have clothed ourselves with Christ. Here Paul uses language from early baptismal liturgy, in which the newly baptized were clothed in a white garment, symbolic of the righteousness of Christ. All who have been baptized into Christ are clothed with him, wrapped up in him, and incorporated into him so that Christ becomes one’s primary identity marker. All other identifiers fall away, for “there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus”.

Here is where I wish more people could find their initial identity — as children of G-d. If we were to start there, would there be so many people who struggle to seek their identity — and choose paths that lead down difficult roads? I know identity is wrapped up in so many different thoughts and ideas today — it is too simplistic to think this would solve all of societies woes. But, perhaps, it might relieve some minds and a lot of unnecessary angst in our world.

Pastor Dave

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.” Galatians 3:13-22

Paul offers a clarifying interpretation in Galatians 3:13: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.’” Here Paul teaches us to read the Old Testament through the lens of Jesus’ cross and resurrection. In his death, Jesus represents each one of us. He took the curse of G-d on himself so that every believer would be blessed rather than cursed. Then Paul explains further, “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus.” The blessing given to Abraham — that he believed and so it was reckoned to him as righteousness—is now for people of all nations (the Gentiles). We, therefore are also blessed in Christ.

Jesus became a curse for us all so that all our sins could be forgiven. Jesus experienced hell and separation from G-d so that we would never be separated from God. Jesus became a curse so that we could be redeemed from the curse of the sin.

Pastor Dave