[George]

Greetings, Brother George. As always thank you for your thorough exposition of the word of God. God continues using you in my life as a "mentor" and "teacher". The "Master Teacher" is using you to minister to His body!

I need some clarification on post #188 under point #3 quoted in part above. Here is my question. I know the "law" was specifically written to the Hebrew/Israelite as you pointed out, but are all people "kept under the law" in a general sense?

Galatians 3:22-25 But the scripture hath concluded all [does this include both Hebrews/Israelites and Gentiles?] under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them [does this include both Hebrews/Israelites and Gentiles?] that believe. But before faith came, we [does this include both Hebrews/Israelites and Gentiles?] were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our [does this include both Hebrews/Israelites and Gentiles?] schoolmaster to bring us [does this include both Hebrews/Israelites and Gentiles?] unto Christ, that we [does this include both Hebrews/Israelites and Gentile?] might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we[does this include both Hebrews/Israelites and Gentiles?] are no longer under a schoolmaster.

If "we" and "them" and "our" and "us" and "all" includes the Gentiles also, then wouldn't Galatians 4:4-5 which says, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons" also be a promise to include the Gentiles, not just the Hebrew/Israelite?

Aloha brother Forrest,

I didn’t forget you (or your questions). But I knew that it would take me some time and a whole lot of “effort” to answer your questions, so I have been procrastinating and “cogitating” in the meantime.

I believe the answers to your questions lay in identifying what is meant by “the law” and then identifying WHO is/was “under the law”; WHO is/was “NOT under the law”; and WHO is/was “without law”. {All according to the Scriptures – of course!}

First off, I hope that we can agree that “the law” mentioned by Paul is in reference to the “Law” given exclusively to the Jews (Hebrews/Israelites) by God, and would include ALL of “the law” and not just the Ten Commandments. If you differ with me on this, we will have to back up and establish (from the Scriptures) just exactly WHAT “the law” means in Galatians 3:22-25.

I believe that “the law” mentioned in Galatians 3:22-25is “the law” given by God to the Jews (Hebrews/Israelites) and that that “Law” was meant exclusively for the Jews (Hebrews/Israelites) only.

The following 10 verses of Scriptures from the New Testament are the only verses of Scripture in the Holy Bible with the phrase “under the law” in them. Interestingly enough – the phrase cannot be found in the Old Testament.

I believe the Bible is its own best Dictionary, so let’s “search the Scriptures” and see if we can come up with some answers to your most difficult questions.

·Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

In the context, the “them who are under the law” is in reference to Jews[Romans 3:1-3]:

Romans 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

·Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

In the context, the “ye” of the “ye are not under the law” is in reference to blood bought, born again, Christians [Romans 6:3-6]

Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
·

Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

In the context, the “we” of the “we are not under the law” is in reference to blood bought, born again, Christians [Romans 6:3-6] Christians are “under Grace” – NOT “the law”.

·1 Corinthians 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

In the context, the “them that are under the law” would have to be in reference to Jews– that is according to 1 Corinthians 9:9-13 & Romans 3:1-3.

1 Corinthians 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

Corinthians 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

In the context, the “them that are without law” would have to be in reference to unsaved Gentiles. IF – The (all) JEWS are “under the law”; and (all born agin) CHRISTIANS “are NOT under the law”; that only leaves UNSAVED GENTILES – which lines up with the Scriptural division of all of mankind: [1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:]

According to the testimony of the Scriptures:
1.The JEWS: “are under the law”.
2.The CHRISTIANS: “are NOT under the law, but under Grace”.
3.The GENTILES (Lost): “are without law”
·

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

The Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled “the law” and all prophecies concerning His “first Coming” [Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:1-80; Hebrews 1:1-4, Hebrews 2:5-18] – He was indeed “made under the law” – specifically “the law” given exclusively to the Jews.
·

Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

The Lord came to redeem the children of Israel – and they REJECTED Him:

Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

The “them” in Galatians must be in reference to the Jews [[Romans 3:1-3 & 1 Corinthians 9:9-13], and the “we” (in the context) would have to be Jews (Paul is referring to himself and his Jewish brethren)

·Galatians 4:21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

The ye would be in reference to those professing “Christians” in the churches of Galatia (Jews & Gentiles) who wanted to “observe” the Jewish Law, or at least a “part” of “the law”.

Galatians 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

The ye would be in reference to genuine born again Christians, i.e. genuine, blood bought, born again sons of God; who (according to the Scriptures) are NOT under “the law” - For IF “ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”

I believe we have established the Scriptural “definition” of some of the words in the verses you cited.

Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

The “all” would be both Jew and Gentile. The “them” would be genuine born again Christians.

So far, so good - we now come to the “hard part”. To understand these verses (Galatians 3:22-25) we must take into consideration all that the Apostle Paul has said in regards to this issue in Galatians Chapters 1 & 2, and up to this point in chapter 3. {“Context – we must always strive to keep Scriptural issues within “CONTEXT”} WHAT is going on in the churches of Galatia that prompted this Epistle?

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Someone (either a Jewish believer or a Jew who is a “false brother” [Galatians 2:4] - or more probably several Jewish believers or Jewish “false brethren” [Galatians 2:4]) is preaching “another gospel” to the churches of Galatia. Someone is trying to re-introduce the Jewish “Law” BACK INTO the “gospel of the grace of God” (i.e. Paul’s “Gospel”). What did Paul say?

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Paul didn’t “mince” words like so many of the brethren do today!

Read Galatians Chapter 2 - Paul had to even “confront” Peter [Galatians 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.] in front of the brethren [“. . . . I said unto Peter before them all . . . Galatians 2] because of the attempt (on the part of either Jewish believers or Jews who were “false brethren” [Galatians 2:4]) to bring the genuine born again Christians in the churches of Galatia BACK UNDER THE BONDAGE of “the law”.

Galatians 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, {“We” = JEWS}
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. {“we” = JEWS}
17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. {“we” = JEWS}
18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. {“I” & “myself” = as a JEW}
19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. {“I” = as a JEW}
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. . {“I” & “me” = as a JEW}
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. {“I” = as a JEW}

We cannot separate what was occurring in the churches of Galatia (at that time) with what Paul has to say in these verses [Galatians 3:22-25], because these verses are being spoken in relation to that issue. {Today we call people who try to put Christians BACK UNDER “the law” – JUDAIZERS! And Paul said about such people: “let him be accursed”! My how times have changed – and so have Christians!}

Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

The “all” would be both Jew and Gentile. The “them” would be genuine born again Christians.

Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

I believe the “we” is in reference to JEWS {specifically in reference to the “Jews” (in the churches of Galatia - lost or saved) who were “preaching another gospel”. Remember: Paul was a Jew - of the Tribe of Benjamin.)

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

I believe the “our” and the “we” is in reference to JEWS {specifically in reference to the “Jews” (in the churches of Galatia - lost or saved) who were “preaching another gospel”. Remember: Paul was a Jew - of the Tribe of Benjamin.)

Galatians 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

I believe the “we” is in reference to JEWS {specifically in reference to the “Jews” (in the churches of Galatia - lost or saved) who were “preaching another gospel”. Remember: Paul was a Jew - of the Tribe of Benjamin.)

Remember - according to the previous Scriptures:

The Gentiles that were “Lost” were “without law”.
The Jews were “under the law”
The Saved, born again Christian is “NOT under the law”

Check out the word “ye” - (that so-called “archaic” pronoun that nearly all of the modern versions omit) which addresses ALL of the believers within the churches. Notice that “ye” is used in Galatians 1:6,9,& 13; but it is NOT used in Galatians Chapter 2 at all; and again “ye” is used in Galatians 3:1-4,7 (an address to ALL), but it is NOT used again until verse 26 – AFTER Paul’s discourse on “the law”.

I know this is a “hard saying”, but I can think of no other “Scriptural” exposition that can satisfactorily answer your questions within the “context” of the verses, and within the confines of the precepts and principles of “rightly dividing the word of truth”.

And let me say here and now, (for the benefit of all) that what I have presented here is NOT from some other man (or some other man’s commentaries). In all of the Threads and the Posts that I have made on this Forum, I have never (not once) gone to other men’s books & commentaries for the answers to spiritual issues. I may check out historical facts and data from men (i.e. my short “biography” on John Calvin), but when it comes to spiritual matters I do not consult other men, nor do I post other men’s opinions, and use them as my own.