At least, I suspect this is the case.

And here is that metaphor, “schoolmaster!” 

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24

Others can, no doubt, share this same testimony.

The Law made us fearful, Jesus set us at ease!

The Law harshly demanded, Jesus (though righteously) loved us!

The Law condemned, Jesus saved!

The verb “to bring” as in “to bring us … unto Christ” is completely italicized in our King James Bibles! Those wise translators were expressing the “intent” of Paul’s great statement, although this verb is not in the Greek sentence Paul wrote.

The Law (figuratively) is … “our schoolmaster … unto Christ!” That’s the Greek rendering, pure and simple.

So we learn that the Law serves a much higher purpose than just condemning lost mankind. As in “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4 and again in 18:20. The Law “points” us to Jesus, Jesus Who Alone can save!

But, what is a “schoolmaster?”

A slave!

One who was put in charge of a well-to-do Roman citizens children!

A full-time “babysitter,” or even a “nanny,” might be today’s analogy.

It was that schoolmaster’s (“paidagogos” in Greek, from which we get the English word “pedagogy”) job to get the child to school!

On time!

Fed, dressed, and eager to learn!

That that is exactly what the Law does, when working properly. When used the right way!

” … the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ ….”

Hallelujah!

And what does Jesus do, when we are brought (when we come, though under a heavy load of guilt) to Him realizing what sinners we are?

He “justifies us by faith!”

Look at our Text verse again: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

Then, thank God for the Law!

Thank God for everything that ultimately reveals Jesus the Saviour!

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell