The Blessed Hope Podcast -- Episode Seven: "Why the Law?" (Galatians 3:19-29)

Paul has made his case that all believing Jews and Gentiles are children of Abraham through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul has also made the point that the giving of the law at Mount Sinai does not annul the prior covenant God made with Abraham.

But, at some point in this letter, Paul must address the question, “why then did God give the law?” The law, he says, was given for a particular time in redemptive history (Moses to Christ) and plays a vital role (to expose sin), which he is about to explain. The law, Paul says, functions as a guardian until Christ comes. The law exposes and incites sin. But once faith has come, God’s people are in a new era in redemptive history (of the new covenant in which the promises to Abraham have been fulfilled) and it is only after the coming of Jesus Christ, that we can see the law’s true purpose.

Technical Note: Sorry for the airplane noise in the background. We must have been in the flight plan for the local airport on the afternoon I recorded this episode. I stopped taping several times until the offending aircraft passed, but one managed to sneak by.

Also, at 8:05, I cite from Galatians 2:20-23. I misspoke. The text is Colossians 2:20-23.

Resources for Episode Seven:

Theodore Beza on the Law and Gospel

Calvin on the Functions of the Law

Herman Bavinck on the "Sharp" Distinction Between Law and Gospel

Scott Clark on the Indicative and the Imperative: Law and Gospel

Lee Irons on Countering Arguments Against the Law/Gospel Distinction

Suggested Bibliography for the Series:

F. F. Bruce, Paul: The Apostle of the Heart Set Free

Guy Waters, The Life and Theology of Paul

Martin Luther's Commentary on Galatians

Moo, Galatians (Baker Exegetical Commentary)