A summary of Galatians 3.23-3.29

The Epistle of the Galatians in the Bible is the ninth book in the New Testament. It is made up of a letter composed by Saint Paul and he was writing to Gentiles, living in Churches in the area today known as Turkey[1]. Within the New Testament, Saint Paul is arguably the most influential figure for Christians. This is down to his conversion from persecuting Christians to becoming a Christian himself and his story is used by Christians to show non-Christians that you can turn yourself towards God and Christ.

Galatians 3.23 is significant because it paints of the picture of what it was like before faith came into existence and practise[2]. The way that the passage is worded leads one to imagine a prison-house which represents the law at the time. This ties into Galatians 3.24 where it states “so the law was our guardian until Christ came”[3]. This is significant for Christians because the importance of following divine guidance from Christ is highlighted. The negative image it presents of human-constructed law is illustrated when it is described as being ‘locked up’. It is emphasising that human-constructed law actually limits human potential. This potential however can be fulfilled with divine law. “Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian”[4]. This passage from the Bible can be used to support the Christian view that God is omniscient, omnibenevolent and omnipotent[5] which is why we should turn to God and follow him and his guidance. He is a transcendent entity so God is not constrained by physical features which we are. This passage can support the very essence of the entire religion.

Verse 27 highlights the importance of baptism, because without baptism, you cannot be seen as a child of Christ. Baptism is so important because it is seen as the beginning of the individual’s personal relationship with God and it physically shows one’s commitment to God[6]. Verse 28 highlights the universality of the religion, when it states that we are all one in Christ. This has implications for believers, because this passage can be used for preaching equality for everyone, regardless of race and gender.

One of the core beliefs of Christianity is emphasised in the last verse of this passage – verse 29. “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise”. This concludes the whole passage because it describes how the followers of Christ innately become the rightful inheritors of the kingdom of the Messiah. This is a future time period on Earth where the Messiah will reign and bring universal peace without any evil[7]. If you have baptised, you are with Christ and you are promised this reunion with the Messiah where there will be unlimited happiness and joy[8].

This whole passage composed by Saint Paul, highlights the importance of his first step of conversion – baptism. When you are baptised, you become part of the ‘Christian family’, you are with Christ. From then, Christ is with you and he will guide you to ensure you that you are morally worthy of the kingdom of the Messiah.

[1] Bruce Longnecker, The Cambridge Companion to Saint Paul, ed. by James D. G. Dunn, 2nd edn (Cambridge: University Press, 2004), p. 64.

[2] Ellicott, Galatians 3:23 (2017) < http://biblehub.com/commentaries/galatians/3-23.htm> [accessed 1 May 2018].

[3] Holy Bible, ed. by New Living Translation (Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers), p. 701.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Christian Bible Studies, Theology 101 (2009) < https://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/t/theology-101-6-session-study.html> [accessed 2 May 2018].

[6] Hill Song Faith, Baptism: Significance, Meaning and Purpose of Baptism (2018) < https://hillsong.com/faith/baptism/> [accessed 4 May 2018].

[7]Anthony F. Buzzard, The Coming Kingdom of the Messiah: A Solution to the Riddle of the New Testament, ed. by Restoration Fellowship, 3rd edn, (2002), p. 9-13.

[8] Ibid.