The Law as a Tutor Galatians 3:22-25.
Dear People of the New Covenant,
In our second installment of the purpose of the Law, Paul likens the law to a schoolmaster (tutor). In the olden days, tutors were hired by people of means to prepare the child for the responsibilities of adulthood in the household. The law was the tutor as long as we were spiritual “minors.”
Limitation (vv. 22-23). The law was in a sense some form of restraint, guarding those under it for what was yet to come – faith in Jesus. In this, the law accomplished two things: first, it proved to us our inability to keep it perfectly. At some point, each of us has failed. Second, the law did keep us from doing our worst. Even at this time, the Jewish people were morally “superior” to the gentiles around them. They were not good enough, but they were not as bad as they could have been, either. This created in those who were honest a desire for something better, more fulfilling, more assuring of justification.
Leverage (v. 24). The law was the tutorial authority over us, building up in us the desire for what was to come. A child was prepared by a tutor for the responsibilities of adulthood, but also to inherit the estate and wealth of the father. Our inheritance is justification by faith, and by tutoring us on our shortcomings, the law was preparing us to inherit the wealth of justification by faith.
Liberty (v. 25). When a child was fully grown, he was released from the authority of the tutor. He came of age and assumed responsibility for his inheritance. At that point, the schoolmaster would have no authority over him anymore.
We have come of age through faith in Jesus. The law, our erstwhile tutor, has been stripped of all authority over us.
Contrary to the thinking of some, this is not freedom to sin as one desires. Far from it! The child who comes of age and is freed from the authority of the schoolmaster does not then become wasteful. Instead, he manages his estate to the best of his ability. To do otherwise would be sheer folly. We are from the shackles of the law, but freedom has never meant irresponsibility. Exercise your freedom with maturity.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.