The Berean Expositor
Volume 47 - Page 23 of 185
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(b) The question must inevitably come from every exercised heart `wherefore
then serveth the law?', and the answer is "It is added because of transgressions, till
the Seed should come" (Gal. 3: 19).
(c) Another question comes to the surface.
"Is the law then against the promises of God?" (3: 21).
The answer given in the subsequent verses shows that while the law could not
mediate the promises, it could lead the seeking soul to the only One Who could,
namely Christ.
"Before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which
should afterward be revealed. So that the law hath been our tutor to bring us unto Christ,
that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a
tutor" (3: 23-25 R.V.).
Neither `life', `righteousness', `inheritance' or `promise' came by the law (3: 21;
2: 21; 3: 18)
What change therefore has been made by God in order that these blessed results might
accrue? `Grace' is the answer. The epistle to the Galatians states the fact that grace has
taken the place of law, but it does not explain it or amplify its bearing upon the question
of its effect upon the relationship of man and God, of sin and righteous judgment, of the
justification of God Who justifies the ungodly. For this the reader must study the epistle
to the Romans, where both the question of `law' and `grace' is given an exhaustive
exposition. What is said however of grace in Galatians is blessed, and on page 180 we
present the seven occurrences of charis. To him that hath ears to hear and eyes to see, the
five great contrasts of Galatians and the structure following will show the earnest student
his walk in life if he would follow the argument of the Apostle of liberty, faith, sonship,
Spirit and grace.