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Galatians 3:19-29 Ephesians 3:1-8

The Promise and the Mystery. Galatians 3:19-29 Ephesians 3:1-8. Picking up where we left off, the question we have is, what was the Law and circumcision if they are of no value?

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Galatians 3:19-29 Ephesians 3:1-8

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  1. The Promise and the Mystery Galatians 3:19-29Ephesians 3:1-8

  2. Picking up where we left off, the question we have is, what was the Law and circumcision if they are of no value? Paul seems to be saying that the Law in particular has nothing to do with the Promise to Abraham. If that is the case, and the Law does not justify, what good Is it? Jewish Christians are feeling sort of cheated. Galatians 3:19-29

  3. Paul answers that question in verse 19. • The Law was added “because of transgression.” • The Law was given by mediators. • The Law was given by angels (Deuteronomy 33:2 and Psalm 68:17.) • the law was given by Moses. • Mediators stand between God and man. • The law has an expiration date—when the Seed should come. Galatians 3:19-29

  4. Verse 20 has many interpretations, and it seems kind of confusing. The point, however, is to contrast the Law and Christ. God is one, but the Law has many lawgivers. This verse is more effective if you are Jewish. • Verses 21 and 22 follow up the question with the next logical question. • If the Law is not faith, is it opposed to Christ? Galatians 3:19-29

  5. Verses 21 and 22 • Does the Law oppose Christ? Certainly not! • The Law cannot give life. This is the first contrast. • The Law condemns everyone as sinners. Paul has made this point in the other writings. In verse 12 he points out that the law itself condemns everyone. • The purpose of the law is to remind us of our sinful state until the revealing of Christ. Galatians 3:19-29

  6. Galatians 3:23 through 26 have been badly misinterpreted. I was as guilty as the rest until I did the study. • There are three Greek words for tutor. They mean three very different things. • The first word is didaskolos, which means a teacher of the word. This is our typical term for tutor. • The second term is epitropos, which is our typical term for a professor like I am. • The last word is pedagogue. This is the word used here. Galatians 3:19-29

  7. Verse 24. Tutor is a bad translation. The King James translates its schoolmaster which is a little better. The Greeks and the Romans hired slaves (interesting concept of itself) to train children in morals and good conduct. They were disciplinarians. • What Paul is saying is that the Law was our tutor in morals and good conduct. • It taught us that we could not be good of ourselves. • It taught us that we needed help. Galatians 3:19-29

  8. What purpose, then, is the law? • It is our tutor to train us in morals and good conduct until the coming of the Seed. • Verse 25: when Christ came, we grew up, and are no longer under the authority of a tutor. • With the coming of the Seeds, we reached verse 26. Verse 27 emphasizes this point: if you were baptized in Christ, you have put on Christ. Galatians 3:19-29

  9. Verses 28 and 29 concluded the thought: if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. • What, exactly, is the promise? • Look at verse 14, 9, 8, and 19 • It is important that we understand what the promise is for this passage to make sense. Galatians 3:19-29

  10. Ephesians chapter 3 continues the thought that Paul has laid out in Galatians 3. • Verses 1 through 7 act as one long parenthetical reference. • Find the end of the thought that Paul starts with verse 1 of Chapter 3. • The rest of the material from verses 2 through 7 focuses on this great mystery of the Gospel. • The mystery is simple—gentiles can become Christians. Ephesians 3:1-8

  11. The build up from verses 2 through 6 is important. The thought process is critical. • Paul points out that the message came to him by revelation. Contrast this with the Law in Galatians. • Paul points out that the ministry was unknown in older times. • It was revealed to the disciples and then to others. • What is this mystery: verse 6. Ephesians 3:1-8

  12. This, by the way, is the rest of Paul’s sentence from verse one. • Paul is less then the least of the saints. • Paul has been given great grace. • That grace is to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. • That grace is to preach among the Gentiles. • Only Nixon could go to China. It’s Ephesians 3:8

  13. Notice the continuity of thought from one book to the next. • Our salvation is centered in Christ alone. • The Gospel comes to us from God himself, not through mediators. • That salvation is offered to Gentiles and Jews. • Our salvation makes us one body. • Philippians 3:20 tells us our citizenship is in heaven. • Colossians 3:1 finally answers Paul’s question about the Law. It all ties together. Galatians and Ephesians

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