Justified by Faith

Galatians 3:24-29 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you be Christ’s, then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. 

‘Schoolmaster’ [Greek: paidagogos] a servant to care for the children who were their guardian until they became old enough to become legal sons. So, with us, after faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster or the law (3:25). We become children and legally free from the schoolmaster (the law of Moses) by faith in Jesus Christ (3:26).

‘Baptized into Christ’ – the element that one is baptized into determines what kind of baptism is referred to in the various scriptures. This is baptism “into Christ” (3:27; Rom. 6:2-8; Col. 2:12) and into His body (1Cor. 12:13), not a baptism into water. Is Christ water? If not, then this is not baptism into the water, for it is into Christ which refers to salvation where one is washed with the Word of God (3:27; Rom. 6:3-7; 1Cor 12:13; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:12).

‘Put on Christ’ – to put on Christ means to be clothed with Him; to assume His person and character; and to act the part and sustain the character of Christ in daily life (5:24; 2Cor. 5:17-18; Rom. 6:1-14; 8:1-13). To profess Christianity is to take on the life and works of Christ, follow in His steps, and do His works (John 14:12-15; 1Pet. 2:21; 4:1-2; Rom. 13:14).

‘There is neither Jew not Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.’ All races, classes, and sexes are one in Christ and equal in rights and privileges regarding gospel benefits. They make one body with Christ as the head (1Cor. 12:13, 28-31; Eph. 1:20-23; 2:19-22; Col. 3:11). The gulf between Jews and Gentiles, masters and slaves, male and female has been bridged by Christ and the gospel. To be racist or sexist is sinful.

‘One in Christ Jesus’ – all Christians are one in unity, in rights, and in privileges as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one in unity and not one in person (John 17:11, 21-22; 1Jn. 5:7).

‘Heirs according to the promise’ – Seven equal blessings for Christians: All are children of God (3:26). All are baptized into Christ (3:27). All have put on Christ (3:27). All are equal and one in Christ (3:28). All belong to Christ (3:29; 5:24). All are Abraham’s spiritual seed (3:29). All are heirs by promise (3:29).