SchoolmasterGalations 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. The word translated as "schoolmaster" is better understood if we go back to the time that Paul wrote this letter. During this time a boy became a man, usually at the age of about 16. He then put away his children's clothes and wore the Toga Virilis - a man's garment. Before this (if the family was wealthy enough), he was under the authority of a servant / slave : the paidagogos (lit. "boy leader"). He took the boy to school and had authority over him till he "came of age". The boy had to go about his life under this man's guidance and supervision. After this, the boy who put on theToga Virilis became a full member of the family and was treated as an adult. Note - NO "teenage years" !! So, if one understands the analogy, one can see that the Law had to be there until Christ came (note that "to bring us", in verse 24, is in italics in the KJV, since these words do not appear in the Greek). Then a NEW covenant took over ("after that faith is come") and we are no longer under the supervision of the Law, but rather are accountable to Christ. As Adam Clarke said in his exposition that ties this passage to Rom 10:4 - "For Christ is the end of the law... " : Where the law ends, Christ begins. The law ends with representative sacrifices; Christ begins with the real offering. The law is our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ; it cannot save, but it leaves us at his door, where alone salvation is to be found.1 [Emphasis mine] I hope the above helps! (note: "Toga Virilis" is the Latin name I remember for the clothing since I did some Latin at school. I don't know the Greek. Please Do NOT ask me translate any Latin - I can't remember much anymore; it was too long ago!!!!) Notes:
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