Last week we examined Galatians Chapter 2 & we spent time looking closely at Timothy, Titus, circumcision, and the preeminence of the Gospel. While circumcision was required of all of Abraham’s descendants as a sign of the covenant God made with him, Paul reminded the congregations in Galatians 2:16, “yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” (ESV).
As Paul continued his defense of the Gospel and faith alone in Christ – He illustrates the true connection between Abraham and Moses and between God’s Promise and the Law of Moses. The covenant God made with Abraham, was not done away with by the giving of the law to Moses. In many ways, circumcision was most obvious outward sign of being a Jew – yet, the Law of Moses was more than just circumcision. Galatians 3:10 states, “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” (ESV). One scholar describes the Law this way –
The Law of Moses is often divided into three broad categories: moral laws, civil (or judicial) laws, and ceremonial laws: 1. Moral laws reflected God’s holy, unchanging character. The moral laws included the Ten Commandments. 2. Civil laws were regulations on the day-to-day life of the Hebrew people. These laws governed such things as marriage & divorce, sexual conduct, and property rights, with a set the penalties for various crimes ranging from theft to kidnapping to slander. 3. Ceremonial laws related to the manner that the Israelites were to worship God. The ceremonial laws instructed on the proper way to offer sacrifices, perform rituals, and celebrate festivals. The laws governing what was “clean” and “unclean” were in this category. Others often describe The Law of Moses more broadly as the “Mosaic Law” or simply, the Torah, (the first five books of the Old Testament and its commands).
Galatians 3:23-26 – “Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith,” (ESV).
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