Galatians 03:15-25 The Purpose of the Law

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Text: Galatians 3:15-25

Introduction

1. In teaching they were justified by faith in Christ, Paul reminded the Galatians that

a. They received the Spirit by the hearing of faith – Galatians 3:1-5

b. The heirs of Abraham were those “of faith” – Galatians 3:6-9

c. Those of the works of the Law were under a curse – Galatians 3:10-12

d. Christ has redeemed them from the curse of the Law, that even Gentiles could now receive the promise of the Spirit through faith – Galatians 3:13-14

2. With such comments regarding the Law, Paul anticipated a likely objection

a. What purpose did the Law then serve?

b. What was its relation to the promise given to Abraham?

3. We might also ask ourselves

a. What value does the Law (Old Testament) have for us today?

b. Do we even need to study it, since we are not under the Law?

4. Such questions are easily answered, first from our text (Galatians 3:15-25), and then from other statements of Paul regarding the value of the OT.

Body

I. FOR THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL

A. WHAT IT’S PURPOSE WAS NOT

1. Not to change the promises made to Abraham – Galatians 3:15-17

a. Even a man’s covenant cannot be annulled or added to once confirmed

b. The Law which came 430 years later, cannot annul the covenant confirmed by God

2. Not to provide the promise made regarding the Seed – Galatians 3:16-18

a. To Abraham and his Seed (Christ) were the promises made

b. The Law did not make the promise of no effect, nor did it provide the inheritance regarding the Seed

B. WHAT IT’S PURPOSE WAS

1. It was added because of transgression – Galatians 3:19-23

a. for the purpose of revealing and manifesting to man his sinfulness

b. Till the Seed (Christ) should come to whom the promise was made

c. Not against the promise, but it could not provide life

d. Confined all under sin, that the promise might be given to those who believe

e. Kept them under guard, kept for the faith (Christ) afterward revealed

2. It was a tutor to lead them to Christ – Galatians 3:24-25

a. To bring them to Christ

b. Now that faith (Christ) has come, they are no longer under it

1) It came to an end when nailed to the cross – Colossians 2:14-17; Ephesians 2:14-16

2) Jews converted to Christ have died to the law – Romans 7:1-6

3) Thus it was replaced with a new covenant – Hebrews 7:18; 8:13; 9:9-10; 10:9

3. The Law was “holy”, “just”, and “good” (Romans 7:12), but it was designed to be temporary. With the coming of Christ and His New Covenant, it came to end as a system of justification (Galatians 5:4).

4. What purpose, if any, does the Law (Old Testament) serve the people of Christ today…?

II. FOR THE PEOPLE OF CHRIST

A. FOR OUR LEARNING

1. Note carefully what Paul wrote in Romans 15:4

a. Things “written before” (i.e., the OT) were “written for our learning”

b. The OT was written and preserved especially for Christians’ benefit!

c. The OT provides “patience and comfort”, that we “might have hope”!

2. The OT provides a record of God’s faithfulness, how He kept His promises:

a. To Abraham and the nation of Israel

b. To judge the wicked and avenge the righteous

c. To forgive the penitent, and protect the humble

3. As we read this history of God’s dealings with Israel, it gives us hope that God will keep His promises to us!

B. FOR OUR ADMONITION

1. Paul had just reminded the Corinthians of Israel’s fall in the wilderness 1 Corinthians 10:1-10

2. Note carefully what he says in 1 Corinthians 10:11

a. The events described may have happened to Israel

b. “They were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come”

c. Again, the OT was written and preserved especially for the benefit of Christians!

3. We should not be surprised to see how often NT writers appealed to the OT in their efforts to admonish Christians

a. As the writer of Hebrews, in exhorting Christians to remain steadfast – Hebrews 3:12-19

b. As James, in encouraging Christians to be patient in their suffering James 5:7-11

c. As Peter, in warning of false teachers and scoffers – 2 Peter 2-3

4. We need to study the OT to be reminded of the very real danger of apostasy!

C. FOR OUR WISDOM

1. Paul noted that Timothy had known the “Holy Scriptures” since childhood 2 Timothy 3:14-15

a. When Timothy was a child, the only scriptures available was the OT

b. So Paul clearly had the OT in view

2. He said the OT is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ”

3. How is this possible? The OT provides:

a. The fall of man and the rise of sin

b. The background and development of God’s scheme of redemption

c. Hundreds of Messianic prophecies which describe what to expect when He comes

4. One cannot hope to fully understand such books of the New Testament like:

a. Hebrews, without an understanding of the Levitical priesthood

b. Revelation, without an understanding of OT prophecy and apocalyptic literature

5. If one wishes to be wise concerning their salvation in Christ, it is imperative to study the Old Testament!

D. FOR OUR PROFIT

1. “All Scripture” includes the OT scriptures, especially in this context – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2. Therefore the OT is profitable for:

a. Doctrine – such as the nature of God, man, and sin

b. Reproof and correction – the need for repentance

c. Instruction in righteousness – how to live godly lives

3. Thus the apostles frequently appealed to the OT when teaching Christians their conduct:

a. E.g., Romans 12:19-21; 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; 9:7-10

b. E.g., James 2:20-26

c. E.g., 1 Peter 3:8-12

4. While certain aspects of justification and worship have changed, many principles of righteousness remain the same under the New Covenant

Conclusion

1. For the people of Israel, the Law served a valuable purpose

a. It helped them to understand the nature of sin, and the need for redemption

b. It guided them until the promised Seed (Christ), through Whom God blessed all nations

2. For the people of Christ, the Law continues to serve a valuable purpose

a. For our learning and admonition

b. For our wisdom and spiritual profit

While we rejoice in the salvation now offered through faith in Christ, let us never underestimate the value of studying the Old Testament. Its many examples of obedience through faith (cf. Hebrews 11:1-40) should inspire us to likewise walk in “the steps of faith”