Why Then the Law? - November 3

Read Galatians 3:19-22 

Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 

Reflect 

If the law can’t save, what is the purpose of the law? 

Most Christians probably aren’t hoping to raise little Pharisees. We don’t want to raise kids that know how to play the game of religion but have no relationship with God. We want them to know that they can be saved only if they place their faith in Christ who redeems them by His blood and because of God’s amazing grace. We want them to understand that all of their good works are like “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64) and instead we want them to rest in God’s mercy and grace. 

Since that is the case, does it logically follow that Christian parents should have no rules in their house? Of course not! We all know that would be a disaster. Why? Because children are sinners just like the rest of us. If we aren’t shown a standard or given an expectation for our behavior, we will do whatever we want to our own detriment! 

In today’s verses, Paul answered the question that all of his readers were likely wondering. Paul had just finished telling them that God’s covenant of grace with Abraham was made long before the law was even given to Moses. He pointed out that the law is completely unable to save us. But if the law is inferior to God’s covenant of grace, then what is the point of the law at all? Paul’s answer is that it was added because of human sin.  

If children inherently knew how to obey correctly, there would be no need for parents to have house rules. Similarly, if humans inherently lived holy lives acceptable to a holy God, they would not need the law or a Savior. Coming up in verse 24, Paul will refer to the law as a “guardian.” The NASB refers to the law as a “tutor.” Like any parent, guardian, or teacher, the law was intended to train us in God’s holy standard and show us how to live holy lives.  

The problem is, we fall short of God’s holy standard every single day. That’s why Paul said the law has imprisoned us under sin. It shows us God’s holy standard but it also shows us our sinfulness. It demonstrates just how hopeless our situation is. Because we continually transgress the law, we are condemned to death. But without the law, we wouldn’t understand the depths of our depravity and just how helpless we are to save ourselves. If we never come to the realization that we need to be saved and cannot save ourselves, we will never seek the Savior. If the law didn’t show us our sin and condemn us to death, we would remain enslaved to sin without even knowing it, therefore never seeking a way out. 

So, why then the law? What is its purpose? The purpose of the law was never to give us life and save us from our sin. It was meant to show us just how holy God is and just how sinful we are. When we realize how depraved, trapped, and helpless we are to do anything about it, that is when we will begin to look outside ourselves for someone to rescue us. And we’ll find our Rescuer in Jesus Christ. It is only through our faith in Him that we receive the promise of salvation and eternal life. 

Respond  

Lord, I delight in Your law because without it, I would have perished in my sin (Psalm 119:92). Your law has shown me just how far I fall short of Your holy standard (Romans 3:23) and drives me to seek You, the only one who can save me from the prison of my sin. Thank You for Your amazing mercy and grace. Amen. 

Reply 

Think about someone in your life who holds themselves to an impossible standard—someone who’s always trying to prove their worth, be perfect, or keep everything together. This week, reach out to them with empathy instead of advice. Share a moment from your own life when you felt like you were failing and what helped you through it. Maybe bring them lunch, send an encouraging message, or simply say, “You don’t have to have it all figured out today.” Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is remind someone that they are more than their mistakes or performance—and that grace, not perfection, makes room for hope.