Galatians 3:19-29

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Purpose of the Law

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The law revealed the condition of everyone under sin. (Galatians 3:22)

  2. The law prepared the way for faith in Christ. (Galatians 3:23-25)


PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t make Galatians 3:28 say what it doesn’t say.

QUESTIONS

  1. Select a, b, or c. The theme of this epistle is a. justification by good works b. justification by faith c. justification by faith plus good works

  2. What is the penalty for sin?

  3. What is God’s plan of salvation for us?

  4. What were the false teachers in Paul’s day teaching as a means for salvation?

  5. What is meant by sanctification?

  6. What were the false teachers teaching about sanctification?

  7. Are works the means of salvation and sanctification?

ANSWERS

  1. b. justification by faith alone

  2. Death (Romans 6:23)

  3. God will forgive our sins and declare us righteous if we turn to Him in faith and receive Christ as our Savior. God can do this because Jesus died on the cross as our substitute, and paid the penalty for our sins with His own perfect life.

  4. They were teaching that you had to do works of the law for salvation, along with faith.

  5. Sanctification means becoming more godly or more holy in your Christian life.

  6. They were teaching that you had to do works of the law for sanctification.

  7. No. Works are the result of salvation and sanctification.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. “The Scripture has confined all under sin.” (Galatians 3:22) What does this mean? Even though God’s law leaves no doubt that everyone is under sin, the promise of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ is given to those who believe. Aren’t you thankful that salvation is by faith?

  2. The concept of the law as a tutor is not that the law leads a person to Christ, but that the law was a protective disciplinarian until Christ came. In the Old Testament, God used the law to discipline and protect His people from the evil and pagan practices surrounding them. Now, as believers, our rule of life is to walk with the Lord and to serve Him.

CHALLENGE

  1. “There is neither Jew nor Greek. there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) There are some who would have you believe that this verse justifies removing all male/female role distinctions. However, the context here is not concerning roles, but it has to do with salvation. The salvation of everyone is through Christ alone. Don’t make Galatians 3:28 say what it doesn’t say.

KEY VERSES

  • “What purpose does the law serve? It was added because of transgression, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made…” (Galatians 3:19)

  • “Before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:23-24)

  • “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you all are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

  • “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29)



Galatians, New Testament, TalksDeb HarmsGalatians 3:19-29