I doubt any Bible commentator has ever used that term for the Law, “prison guard!”

But Paul does, in essence, in today’s Text, in Galatians 3:23. And in a way, the Apostle is again giving his personal “testimony.”

“But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.”

And I still don’t think Paul is here insinuating this sequence of thought as a linear progression throughout Israel’s history, or humanity’s (the gentile world’s) either, for that matter.

He is speaking of individuals!

“Before faith came” to MY life!

Before I personally trusted Jesus as Saviour!

I was “kept” by the Law, “under” the Law! The verb “kept” translates “phroureo,” meaning “guarded to prevent escape!” The preposition “under” is “hupo,” with the Law standing “on top” of me, forcefully holding me down!

Then Paul employs a parallel verb, “shut up” (by the Law!) “Shut up” unto/until faith comes, is revealed “to me.” It’s spelled “sugkleio,” meaning “enclosed” as if “caught in a net!” 

The Law held us captive as guilty, offending, disobeying sinners before Almighty God! (Before faith (saving faith) came to us! Before the power of trust in Jesus was revealed to our hearts … by the Word of God, by the Holy Spirit of God!)

“Unto” the faith, “eis” (into) the faith that places a man or woman “in” Christ Jesus! (It is as if the Law is a “funnel” that constricts us and ultimately “pours” us into God’s wonderful Bottle/Tank of “faith!”)

“Afterwards” uses the Greek verb “mello,” indicating something “soon to be, coming to be,” in the near future!

And finally, “revealed” is “apokalupto,” as if  “a veil had been removed” from our heads, one that was blinding our eyes! Preventing us from seeing Jesus in all His Glory, and how trust in Him saves us old lost souls!

What a picture … the Law of Moses … ushering us into the place of trusting Jesus!

(A man likely will not ever be saved … until he sees what a rotten sinner he really is! And the Law can reveal that in just a few minutes!)

Wow!

Say it again, Paul: “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.”

Thank you.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell