Topical Bible: Law: was Given Because of Transgressions Until the Messiah Arrived

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The concept of the Law being given because of transgressions is rooted in the Apostle Paul's epistle to the Galatians. In Galatians 3:19, Paul writes, "Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions until the arrival of the Seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator." This passage highlights the temporary and preparatory nature of the Mosaic Law in God's redemptive plan.

Purpose of the Law

The Law, as given to Moses on Mount Sinai, served multiple purposes. Primarily, it was a divine standard that revealed the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity. By delineating what constituted sin, the Law made people aware of their transgressions. Romans 3:20 states, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin." The Law acted as a mirror, reflecting human shortcomings and the need for a savior.

The Law as a Guardian

Paul further elaborates on the role of the Law in Galatians 3:24-25: "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian." The term "guardian" (Greek: paidagogos) refers to a tutor or custodian responsible for the care and discipline of a child. The Law functioned as a guardian by guiding and restraining Israel until the coming of Christ, the promised Seed.

The Temporary Nature of the Law

The Law was never intended to be a permanent solution for sin. Hebrews 10:1 explains, "The law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves." The sacrificial system and ceremonial laws pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. With the arrival of the Messiah, the purpose of the Law as a guardian was fulfilled, and believers are now justified by faith in Christ, not by adherence to the Law.

The Fulfillment in Christ

Jesus Christ, in His life and ministry, fulfilled the Law. In Matthew 5:17, He declares, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them." Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death satisfied the righteous requirements of the Law, offering redemption to all who believe. Through His fulfillment of the Law, believers are no longer under its condemnation but are under grace (Romans 6:14).

The Law and the New Covenant

With the establishment of the New Covenant through Christ's blood, the role of the Law has transformed. Jeremiah 31:33 prophesied this change: "I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people." The moral principles of the Law are now internalized in the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit, guiding them to live in a manner pleasing to God.

In summary, the Law was given because of transgressions to reveal sin, act as a guardian, and point to the need for a Savior. With the coming of Jesus Christ, the Law's role as a custodian ended, and believers are now justified by faith, living under the grace of the New Covenant.

Nave's Topical Index

Galatians 3:19
Why then serves the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Acts XIII
... of people to whom the law was given; and just so ... based upon this broad assertion:
"The law, having a ... Because the worshipers, once cleansed, would have no more ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiii.htm

Place of Jesus in the History of the World.
... however, could not come from thence, because these ancient ... who adhered to the simplicity
of the Mosaic law. ... that which orthodox Christianity has given to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter i place of jesus.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... wilderness, and thence to Canaan, not merely to give continual obedience to his
law, but at ... "Putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied ...
... d) this is explained: the day of the Messiah, because the Holy ... To this the reply
is given, that Moses rooted up ... are brought her that her sons-in-law are coming ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix ix list of old.htm

The Assumption of Moses
... and the rivers shall be dried up; because the Most High ... as an exposition and development
of hints given in the ... strength lies in obedience to the law, and whose ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the assumption of moses.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... of my lusts, and delighted in all transgression against the law of God ... fell upon
his hardened spirit was still more deeply felt, because it was given by one ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... The law regarding the unity of the place of worship was ... it was to be destroyed, but
only because there the ... one cannot see why just these should be given up to ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... that he had been mistaken about Jesus Christ, because he suffered ... as far as my memory
will admit, given you the ... in the diminishing glass of the holy law of God ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... that he had been mistaken about Jesus Christ, because he suffered ... as far as my memory
will admit, given you the ... in the diminishing glass of the holy law of God ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... future we decree to all by this present law that they ... In this is given the latest
date to which they may ... They cannot be earlier than 476, because the author is ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm