Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Galatians 3:22

"But the scriptures shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." — Galatians 3:22 (ASV)

Because it is impossible to find life through law, however, the law fulfills its actual function by shutting all people up within the bounds of acknowledged sin. It condemns them, with the result that they turn from trying to please God through legalism and instead receive the promise of God through faith in Jesus Christ. In the first part of this verse Paul summarizes the major truths of Ro 1:18–3:20, that the law shows that all have sinned and need a Savior. The second half of the verse reminds us that there is indeed a Savior and that it had always been God’s purpose to save a great company through faith in him. Seen from this angle, even the law flowed from God’s grace, because it prepared people to receive the Lord Jesus Christ when he came.