Out of the Shadows, Into Substance: Adoption in Christ
Main Idea of Galatians:
To defend the gospel of grace as the sole basis for justification and Christian living, to assert the believer’s freedom from legalism through faith in Christ, and to call believers back to the truth of the gospel.
Questions to Consider:
According to Paul, what was the state of the Jewish people before faith came? What was the purpose of this state?
What analogy does Paul use in verse 24 to describe the law’s role for Israel? What does this analogy signify?
What significant change occurred with the coming of faith for both Jews and Gentiles?
What new identity do believers, both Jew and Gentile, receive through faith in Christ Jesus?
What is the significance of being “baptized into Christ”?
How does Paul describe the unity of believers in Christ in verse 28? What are the implications of this for both Jews and Gentiles?
What is the inheritance of those who belong to Christ, and how does this relate to the promise to Abraham?
The Text:
“Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. The law, then, was our guardian until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith. But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus.
For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all onein Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.”
– Galatians 3:23-293 (CSB)
Observations:
Verse 23: Paul describes the time before faith for the Jewish people as being “held captive under the law” and “imprisoned” until the revelation of faith (Christ).
Verse 24: He states that the law served as a “guardian” for Israel until Christ came, with the purpose of leading them to justification by faith.
Verse 25: A clear transition occurs with the arrival of faith, as believers, both Jew and Gentile, are “no longer under a guardian” in the same way.
Verse 26: The new status of believers is revealed: “sons of God” through faith in Christ Jesus, available to all.
Verse 27: Baptism into Christ signifies “putting on Christ,” indicating identification with Him for all believers.
Verse 28: Paul declares the radical unity of believers in Christ, transcending ethnic (Jew/Greek), social (slave/free), and gender distinctions.
Verse 29: Believers who belong to Christ are identified as “Abraham’s offspring” and “heirs according to promise.”
Interpretation:
The Custody of the Law (v. 23): Paul’s statement, “before faith came, we were held captive under the law,” primarily refers to the Jewish people. The Law of Moses was specifically given to Israel at Mount Sinai as part of their covenant relationship with God. Gentiles, who were not part of this covenant nation, were not directly under the Mosaic Law in the same way. However, Paul’s broader point still applies to Gentiles in a sense. Before the revelation of faith in Christ, all humanity, both Jew and Gentile, was under the power of sin and alienated from God. The Law, even if not directly given to the Gentiles, served to highlight the universal reality of sin and the inability of humanity to achieve righteousness on its own. As Moo (BECNT) explains, while the direct application of being “under the law” was to Israel, the principle of being held captive to sin and needing redemption extends to all.
The Law as Guardian (v. 24): The analogy of the paidagōgos primarily illustrates Israel’s relationship with the Mosaic Law. It was their tutor, guiding them and revealing their transgressions until the coming of Christ. For Gentiles, their “guardian” in a similar sense was the general revelation of God through creation and conscience (Romans 1:18-2:16), which also condemned them for their unrighteousness and pointed to their need for redemption. The purpose of this “guardianship,” whether through the specific Law of Moses for Jews or through general revelation for Gentiles, was to ultimately lead to the understanding of the necessity of justification by faith in Christ. Schreiner (ZECNT) clarifies that while the Law was specifically for Israel, its function of exposing sin is a universal principle.
Freedom in Faith (v. 25): The coming of faith in Christ brings freedom from the specific demands and condemnation of the Mosaic Law for Jews who believe. For Gentiles, it brings freedom from the condemnation of their own sin revealed through general revelation and their own consciences. In Christ, both Jew and Gentile find justification and are no longer under the power of sin and its consequences.
Adoption as Sons of God (v. 26): Through faith in Christ Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles are adopted as “sons of God” (huioi – mature children with full rights and inheritance). The dividing line of the Mosaic Law is removed, and a new family of God is created based on faith in Christ. This status is available to all who are in Christ.
Union with Christ in Baptism (v. 27): Baptism is presented as a symbolic identification with Christ for all believers – Jew and Gentile alike – signifying their union with Him in His death and resurrection and their being clothed in His righteousness.
Radical Unity in Christ (v. 28): This verse is particularly significant. In Christ, the distinctions that once separated Jew and Gentile are abolished. The Law of Moses was a key marker of this separation. Now, in Christ, these ethnic and religious boundaries no longer determine one’s standing before God or within the community of faith. All believers are one in Christ Jesus.
Heirs Through Christ (v. 29): Through their union with Christ by faith, both Jews and Gentiles become the true descendants of Abraham and heirs to God’s promises – the blessings of justification by faith and the inheritance of eternal life. In this way, the promise made to Abraham that he would have many descendants is fulfilled, not through physical lineage alone, but in relation to those who share his faith. White (GTI) notes that this emphasizes the continuity of God’s saving plan, now realized fully in Christ, extending to all who believe.
Application:
Embrace Your Freedom in Christ: Recognize that through faith in Jesus, you are no longer bound by the law as a means of earning God’s favor. Live in the freedom of grace, motivated by love and gratitude.
Live as Children of God: Embrace your identity as a son or daughter of God, walking in intimacy with Him and claiming your inheritance through Christ, regardless of your background.
Cultivate Unity in the Body of Christ: Actively work towards breaking down barriers and fostering unity within the church, recognizing that in Christ, we are all one.
Clothe Yourselves with Christ: Strive to live in a way that reflects the character and values of Christ, allowing His righteousness to be seen in your words and actions.
Rest in Your Inheritance: Live with the confident hope of your inheritance as heirs with Abraham through Christ, knowing that God’s promises are secure in Him, extended to all who share Abraham’s faith.
Connection to the Main Idea:
This passage powerfully reinforces Paul’s central argument for justification by faith alone, for both Jews and Gentiles. It clarifies the temporary and specific role of the Law for Israel, highlighting that true righteousness and inclusion in God’s family come through faith in Christ, making all believers Abraham’s spiritual descendants and heirs to God’s promises.
How Does This Text Point to Christ?
This entire passage is Christ-centered. The “coming faith” is faith in Jesus Christ. The law served until Christ came. We are sons of God in Christ Jesus through faith. We are baptized into Christ and have put on Christ. Our unity transcends all earthly distinctions in Christ Jesus. We become Abraham’s offspring and heirs if we are Christ’s. Christ is the central figure through whom God’s promises are fulfilled to all who believe.
Summary:
Galatians 3:23-29 explains that while the Law of Moses served as a temporary guardian for Israel, the coming of faith in Christ has ushered in a new era where both Jews and Gentiles are adopted as children of God through faith, united in Him, and become the true heirs of Abraham’s promised blessings.
Be Intentional:
Reflect on the inclusive nature of the Gospel. How does the unity we have in Christ challenge any prejudices or divisions you might harbor? Consider how your identity as an heir of God’s promises should shape your hope and your outreach to others.
Ask Yourself:
Do I recognize my equal standing with all other believers in Christ, regardless of their background?
How can I actively work to promote unity and break down barriers within my church and community?
Does my understanding of being an heir through Christ influence how I view my present trials and my future hope?
Bibliography:
Carson, D. A. (General Editor). NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (NIVBTSB). Zondervan.
Merida, Tony & Platt, David. Exalting Jesus in Galatians (CCE) (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary).
Moo, Douglas J. Galatians (BECNT) (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament).
Schreiner, Thomas R. Galatians (ZECNT) (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament).
Schreiner, Thomas R. Christ Crucified: A Theology of Galatians.
White, A. Blake. Galatians: A Theological Interpretation (GTI).
