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Verse Takeaways
1
The Law as a Prison Guard
Commentators overwhelmingly describe the law's role before Christ as a form of imprisonment. Using phrases like "kept in ward" and "shut up," Paul paints a picture of the law confining people, exposing their sin, and closing off all other routes to salvation. This confinement made it clear that faith in Christ was the only way to be freed from sin's condemnation.
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Book Overview
Galatians
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Commentaries
13
Albert Barnes
On Galatians 3:23
18th Century
Theologian
But before faith came. That is, the system of salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus. Faith here denotes the Christian religion, because fai…
AT Robertson
On Galatians 3:23
Before faith came (προ του ελθειν την πιστιν). "Before the coming (second aorist active infinitive of ερχομα, definite event) as t…
Charles Ellicott
On Galatians 3:23
19th Century
Bishop
Before faith came.—Before faith awoke and became active, began to exist, or the preaching of Christ as its object.
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Charles Spurgeon
On Galatians 3:23
19th Century
Preacher
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Well do I remember w…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Galatians 3:23
The proper understanding of the phrase “before this faith came” is found in the fact that the definite article occurs before the word “faith.” By “…
John Calvin
On Galatians 3:23
16th Century
Theologian
Before faith came. The question proposed is now more fully defined. He explains at great length the use of the law, and the reason why it …
John Gill
On Galatians 3:23
17th Century
Pastor
But before faith came
This is to be understood, not of the grace of faith, which was under the former dispensation, as now; th…
Matthew Henry
On Galatians 3:23–25
17th Century
Minister
The law did not impart a living, saving knowledge. Instead, through its rites and ceremonies, especially its sacrifices, it pointed to Christ so th…