Matthew Henry Commentary Galatians 3:23-25

"But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. So that the law is become our tutor [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now faith that is come, we are no longer under a tutor." — Galatians 3:23-25 (ASV)

The law did not impart a living, saving knowledge. Instead, through its rites and ceremonies, especially its sacrifices, it pointed to Christ so that people might be justified by faith. In this way, the law was, as the term properly signifies, a servant to lead individuals to Christ—much as children are led to school by attendants who care for them—so that they might be more fully taught by Him the true way of justification and salvation, which is only by faith in Christ. The vastly greater advantage of the gospel dispensation is also evident, as under it we enjoy a clearer revelation of divine grace and mercy than the Jews of earlier times.

Most people remain confined as if in a dark dungeon, in love with their sins, blinded and lulled asleep by Satan through worldly pleasures, interests, and pursuits. But the awakened sinner discovers his dreadful condition. Then he feels that the mercy and grace of God are his only hope. And the terrors of the law are often used by the convincing Spirit to show the sinner his need for Christ, to bring him to rely on Christ's sufferings and merits, so that he may be justified by faith.

Then the law, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, becomes his cherished rule of duty and his standard for daily self-examination. In this use of it, he learns to depend more simply on the Savior.