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How Did the Law Lead to Faith in Christ?

Galatians 3:23-24 states, “Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” These verses explain the role of the Law of Moses in preparing the way for Christ, showing that the Law was not the final means of salvation but rather a temporary guide leading to faith in Jesus. Paul’s words clarify that while the Law had an important function, true righteousness comes through faith, not through the works of the Law.

The first part of the passage, “Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law,” describes how the Law of Moses functioned as a system that restricted and guided the Israelites. The phrase “held in custody” (phroureó in Greek) suggests being guarded or kept under restraint. This indicates that the Law was not designed to bring complete freedom but to keep Israel within the boundaries of Jehovah’s moral and ceremonial expectations.

The Law’s purpose was to expose sin and show humanity’s need for a Savior. Romans 3:20 states, “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” The Law revealed Jehovah’s standards but could not provide a solution to sin. It functioned as a mirror, reflecting the reality of human imperfection and the inability to attain righteousness by personal effort.

Paul continues, “Locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.” This means that the Law was temporary, meant to last only until the coming of Christ. The phrase “locked up” suggests that Israel was confined within the legal framework of the Mosaic covenant, awaiting the full revelation of Jehovah’s plan through Christ. Hebrews 10:1 confirms this idea: “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves.” The Law pointed forward to Christ, but it was never the final means of salvation.

The next verse, Galatians 3:24, states, “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” The Greek word for “guardian” (paidagógos) refers to a tutor or a caretaker responsible for overseeing a child’s upbringing. In ancient times, a paidagógos was not the child’s permanent teacher but a temporary guide to ensure discipline and proper conduct. Similarly, the Law was not the ultimate means of righteousness but a temporary system that directed people toward faith in Christ.

Once Christ came, justification was no longer based on adherence to the Law but on faith. Romans 10:4 states, “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” This does not mean that Jehovah’s moral standards disappeared but that salvation was no longer dependent on keeping the Mosaic Law. Instead, righteousness is granted through faith in Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17).

Ultimately, Galatians 3:23-24 teaches that the Law of Moses served as a guide, revealing sin and pointing people toward Christ. It was never meant to be the final means of salvation but rather a temporary structure that prepared the way for faith. Now that Christ has come, believers are justified by faith, not by works of the Law, demonstrating that salvation is entirely a gift from Jehovah, received through trust in His plan.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).