Galatians 3:22
Verse
Context
The Purpose of the Law
21Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.22But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.
Sermons
Bill McLeod
St. John Chrysostom
Lewis Sperry Chafer
John OwenLewis Sperry Chafer
Jane LeadSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
But the scripture hath concluded - All the writings of the prophets have uniformly declared that men are all sinners, and the law declares the same by the continual sacrifices which it prescribes. All, therefore have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; and, being tried and found guilty, συνεκλεισεν ἡ γραφη, the Scripture hath shut them up - put them in prison, and locked them up, till the time should come in which the sentence of the law should be executed upon them: (See Rom 3:9-20, and the notes there; and particularly Rom 11:32 (note), where the apostle uses the same metaphor, and which in the note is particularly explained.) That the promise of justification, by faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
But--as the law cannot give life or righteousness [ALFORD]. Or the "But" means, So far is righteousness from being of the law, that the knowledge of sin is rather what comes of the law [BENGEL]. the scripture--which began to be written after the time of the promise, at the time when the law was given. The written letter was needed SO as PERMANENTLY to convict man of disobedience to God's command. Therefore he says, "the Scripture," not the "Law." Compare Gal 3:8, "Scripture," for "the God of the Scripture." concluded--"shut up," under condemnation, as in a prison. Compare Isa 24:22, "As prisoners gathered in the pit and shut up in the prison." Beautifully contrasted with "the liberty wherewith Christ makes free," which follows, Gal 3:7, Gal 3:9, Gal 3:25-26; Gal 5:1; Isa 61:1. all--Greek neuter, "the universe of things": the whole world, man, and all that appertains to him. under sin-- (Rom 3:9, Rom 3:19; Rom 11:32). the promise--the inheritance promised (Gal 3:18). by faith of Jesus Christ--that is which is by faith in Jesus Christ. might be given--The emphasis is on "given": that it might be a free gift; not something earned by the works of the law (Rom 6:23). to them that believe--to them that have "the faith of (in) Jesus Christ" just spoken of.
John Gill Bible Commentary
But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin,.... By the "Scripture" is meant, either the writing of the law in particular, the killing letter, or the whole Scripture, or God in it; and who by and in it has shown, declared, and proved, that all the individuals of human nature, Jews and Gentiles, and all that is in them, and done by them, are under the power and dominion of sin, defiled by it, and involved in the guilt of it; for it is not "all persons", but "all things", belonging to all persons; all the members of their bodies, and faculties of their souls; all their thoughts, inclinations, and intentions; all their works and services, even their best righteousness, which is as filthy rags; all are declared to be sinful and polluted, and men on account of them to be guilty before God, and liable to punishment; from whence there can be no escape by the law of works; for they are like men concluded, or shut up in a prison, from which there is no apparent likelihood of deliverance: now the Spirit of God, discovering to men this their wretched and desperate condition, under the law and sin, reveals Christ and his righteousness to them, and enables and encourages them to believe in him, by whom only they can be justified from all things, they cannot by the law of Moses, in which they see themselves shut up, as in a prison: that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe; by the "promise" is intended, the promise of life and salvation, and particularly of a justifying righteousness; which is given, not merited; righteousness is a gift, a gift of grace, a free gift, and so is eternal life; salvation in all its parts is of free grace; Christ is a free gift, and so are all things along with him; yea, faith itself, by which they are received, it is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God; Christ is the author and finisher, as well as the object of it; and therefore here called "the faith of Jesus Christ": and such that have it, to them the promise, or the things promised, righteousness and life are given, which the law could not give; not to them that work, but to them that believe: thus the law is so far from being against the promises of God, that it is subservient to them; for though the law has no tendency in itself to bring persons to Christ, and to believe in him for righteousness, yet this concluding men under sin, showing them their desperate, and hopeless, and helpless condition, the Spirit of God takes occasion from hence to reveal Christ unto them, and to enable them as perishing creatures to venture on him, and lay hold on the hope set before them in the Gospel; and so they come to enjoy the grand promise of it, even life and salvation by Christ.
Galatians 3:22
The Purpose of the Law
21Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.22But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Faith
By Bill McLeod1.2K14:10FaithGAL 2:20GAL 3:11GAL 3:22EPH 2:8EPH 3:122TI 3:15HEB 10:22HEB 11:3HEB 11:7JAS 1:5In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of faith in pleasing God. He references Psalm 37:5 and Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourage believers to commit their ways to the Lord and trust in Him. The speaker highlights that faith allows Christians to have access to God, receive Christ, and be saved. He also mentions the power of faith and how it can bring about positive outcomes in our lives. The sermon concludes with a reminder to believe in God's promises and not lose faith, even when faced with challenges.
Homily 3 on Galatians
By St. John Chrysostom0GAL 3:1GAL 3:13GAL 3:22GAL 3:24GAL 3:26John Chrysostom preaches about the transition from the Law to Faith, emphasizing the importance of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. He explains how the Law served as a tutor to lead people to Christ, highlighting the role of Faith in making believers sons of God and heirs according to the promise given to Abraham. Chrysostom illustrates the contrast between the Law and Faith, showing how Faith in Christ unites believers as one in Him, transcending all earthly distinctions and making them partakers of the divine nature.
The Teachings of the Law
By Lewis Sperry Chafer0DEU 4:8JHN 18:31ROM 2:14ROM 5:12GAL 3:19GAL 3:22Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the teachings of grace and the law, emphasizing the opposition between the two principles according to the Scriptures. The sermon explores the threefold consideration of the law: its meaning in the Bible, its relation to time, and its application. It highlights how the law, as a covenant of works, was given to Israel, its temporary nature until the coming of Christ, and its termination with the death of Christ, offering a contrast between the covenant of works and the covenant of grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
The General Nature of Justification
By John Owen0MAT 11:28JHN 3:18ROM 3:19ROM 4:5GAL 3:10GAL 3:22John Owen delves into the doctrine of justification, emphasizing the state of the person to be justified as ungodly and guilty before God, highlighting the need for acceptance through faith in Christ's righteousness rather than inherent works. The proper ends of teaching this doctrine are to bring glory to God, promote peace, and encourage obedience among believers. Owen warns against getting lost in philosophical terms and distractions, stressing the importance of focusing on the peace and acceptance with God that justification brings. He urges believers to trust in Christ alone for mercy, righteousness, and glory, avoiding unnecessary contentions and disputes that detract from the essence of the gospel.
Law and Grace
By Lewis Sperry Chafer0EXO 31:18HAB 2:4MAT 5:17ROM 5:2ROM 6:14ROM 7:22GAL 3:22EPH 1:6EPH 2:81PE 5:12Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the contrasting methods of divine dealing with men through the words 'law' and 'grace'. He explains the various meanings of 'law' as a rule of life, including the Ten Commandments, the Mosaic system, and the principles of the future Messiah's kingdom. Chafer discusses the law as a covenant of works and a principle of dependence on the flesh, highlighting how under grace, every aspect of the law is done away with for the child of God. He then explores the biblical meaning of 'grace' as unmerited favor, emphasizing that God saves sinners, keeps them safe, and provides a rule of life through His grace.
The Tree of Faith
By Jane Lead0ROM 6:41CO 15:421CO 15:512CO 5:17GAL 3:22EPH 4:22PHP 3:20COL 3:11JN 3:2REV 21:1Jane Lead preaches about the deep mysteries of faith, emphasizing the need for a spiritual transformation and the importance of dying to the earthly self to rise in a new life of divine essence. She highlights the process of passing through various baptisms symbolized by pools of conviction, repentance, renovation, dedication, blood, oil, and fire, leading to the attainment of a deified body capable of living in the celestial realm. Jane Lead envisions a future age where faith will transfigure mortal bodies into immortal ones, bringing about a radical transformation and the manifestation of the glorified presence of Christ and the saints.
Displaced ("I Have Been Ready for My People, but My People Were Not Ready for Just jesus.")
By Hans R. Waldvogel0Readiness for ChristSelf-DenialMAT 5:3JHN 15:5ROM 12:1GAL 3:22PHP 3:14COL 1:27COL 2:10REV 3:20Hans R. Waldvogel emphasizes the readiness of Jesus for His people, contrasting it with the unpreparedness of many to embrace Him fully. He laments that while people seek blessings, they often miss the essence of Christ, who is the ultimate gift and source of life. Waldvogel calls for a deep recognition of our need for Jesus, urging believers to empty themselves of self-love and spiritual pride to allow Christ to be formed within them. He illustrates that true spirituality comes from loving Jesus and living for Him, rather than striving to please Him through our own efforts. The sermon challenges listeners to make room for Christ in their lives, highlighting that only through His presence can they find true rest and fulfillment.
The Law Done Away
By Lewis Sperry Chafer0ROM 4:13ROM 6:14GAL 3:19GAL 3:22EPH 2:15Lewis Sperry Chafer preaches about the fundamental differences between the reign of law and the reign of grace, emphasizing that they are opposed to each other and cannot coexist. He explains that the Scriptures of the New Testament clearly teach that the law, in all its forms, is done away with in the present age under the economy of grace. Chafer delves into the threefold larger conception of the law, including the teachings of Moses, the law covenant of works, and the principle of dependence on the flesh, all of which are now set aside in the era of grace. He highlights the importance of understanding that the law has ceased, even in its widest meaning, and that believers are now under the reign of grace, not the law.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
But the scripture hath concluded - All the writings of the prophets have uniformly declared that men are all sinners, and the law declares the same by the continual sacrifices which it prescribes. All, therefore have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; and, being tried and found guilty, συνεκλεισεν ἡ γραφη, the Scripture hath shut them up - put them in prison, and locked them up, till the time should come in which the sentence of the law should be executed upon them: (See Rom 3:9-20, and the notes there; and particularly Rom 11:32 (note), where the apostle uses the same metaphor, and which in the note is particularly explained.) That the promise of justification, by faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
But--as the law cannot give life or righteousness [ALFORD]. Or the "But" means, So far is righteousness from being of the law, that the knowledge of sin is rather what comes of the law [BENGEL]. the scripture--which began to be written after the time of the promise, at the time when the law was given. The written letter was needed SO as PERMANENTLY to convict man of disobedience to God's command. Therefore he says, "the Scripture," not the "Law." Compare Gal 3:8, "Scripture," for "the God of the Scripture." concluded--"shut up," under condemnation, as in a prison. Compare Isa 24:22, "As prisoners gathered in the pit and shut up in the prison." Beautifully contrasted with "the liberty wherewith Christ makes free," which follows, Gal 3:7, Gal 3:9, Gal 3:25-26; Gal 5:1; Isa 61:1. all--Greek neuter, "the universe of things": the whole world, man, and all that appertains to him. under sin-- (Rom 3:9, Rom 3:19; Rom 11:32). the promise--the inheritance promised (Gal 3:18). by faith of Jesus Christ--that is which is by faith in Jesus Christ. might be given--The emphasis is on "given": that it might be a free gift; not something earned by the works of the law (Rom 6:23). to them that believe--to them that have "the faith of (in) Jesus Christ" just spoken of.
John Gill Bible Commentary
But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin,.... By the "Scripture" is meant, either the writing of the law in particular, the killing letter, or the whole Scripture, or God in it; and who by and in it has shown, declared, and proved, that all the individuals of human nature, Jews and Gentiles, and all that is in them, and done by them, are under the power and dominion of sin, defiled by it, and involved in the guilt of it; for it is not "all persons", but "all things", belonging to all persons; all the members of their bodies, and faculties of their souls; all their thoughts, inclinations, and intentions; all their works and services, even their best righteousness, which is as filthy rags; all are declared to be sinful and polluted, and men on account of them to be guilty before God, and liable to punishment; from whence there can be no escape by the law of works; for they are like men concluded, or shut up in a prison, from which there is no apparent likelihood of deliverance: now the Spirit of God, discovering to men this their wretched and desperate condition, under the law and sin, reveals Christ and his righteousness to them, and enables and encourages them to believe in him, by whom only they can be justified from all things, they cannot by the law of Moses, in which they see themselves shut up, as in a prison: that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe; by the "promise" is intended, the promise of life and salvation, and particularly of a justifying righteousness; which is given, not merited; righteousness is a gift, a gift of grace, a free gift, and so is eternal life; salvation in all its parts is of free grace; Christ is a free gift, and so are all things along with him; yea, faith itself, by which they are received, it is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God; Christ is the author and finisher, as well as the object of it; and therefore here called "the faith of Jesus Christ": and such that have it, to them the promise, or the things promised, righteousness and life are given, which the law could not give; not to them that work, but to them that believe: thus the law is so far from being against the promises of God, that it is subservient to them; for though the law has no tendency in itself to bring persons to Christ, and to believe in him for righteousness, yet this concluding men under sin, showing them their desperate, and hopeless, and helpless condition, the Spirit of God takes occasion from hence to reveal Christ unto them, and to enable them as perishing creatures to venture on him, and lay hold on the hope set before them in the Gospel; and so they come to enjoy the grand promise of it, even life and salvation by Christ.