Galatians 3:23

KJV

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} before {G4253} faith {G4102} came {G2064}, we were kept {G5432} under {G5259} the law {G3551}, shut up {G4788} unto {G1519} the faith {G4102} which should afterwards {G3195} be revealed {G601}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now before the time for this trusting faithfulness came, we were imprisoned in subjection to the system which results from perverting the Torah into legalism, kept under guard until this yet-to-come trusting faithfulness would be revealed.

Berean Standard Bible

Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.

American Standard Version

But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 3:23 encapsulates the Apostle Paul's profound theological argument regarding the transitional role of the Mosaic Law in God's redemptive history. It asserts that prior to the full revelation of faith in Jesus Christ, humanity was held under the Law's custodial authority, effectively confined by its demands and the awareness of sin, thereby preparing and directing them towards the liberating and ultimate reality of salvation by faith alone.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within Paul's letter to the Galatians, where he passionately defends the doctrine of justification by faith against the legalistic teachings of the Judaizers. In Galatians 3, Paul has already established that Abraham was justified by faith, not by works of the Law ([Galatians 3:6-9](/galatians/3-6-9 "Galatians 3:6-9 - Abraham Justified by Faith")). He then explains why the Law was given if not for justification, stating its purpose was to reveal sin and lead to Christ ([Galatians 3:19-22](/galatians/3-19-22 "Galatians 3:19-22 - Purpose of the Law")). Verse 23 acts as a bridge, describing the period before Christ as one of "confinement" under the Law, setting the stage for the Law's role as a "guardian" or "tutor" in [Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Tutor").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Galatian churches were grappling with the infiltration of Judaizers, Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile converts must be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law (e.g., dietary laws, Sabbath) in addition to faith in Christ for salvation. This teaching directly undermined the gospel of grace. Paul's argument reflects the tension between the Old Covenant (Law) and the New Covenant (Faith in Christ) in the early church. The concept of being "under the law" would have resonated with both Jewish believers, who understood its pervasive influence, and Gentile converts, who were being pressured to adopt its strictures. The imagery of being "kept" or "shut up" draws on the common understanding of guardianship and confinement, preparing the audience for the subsequent metaphor of the *paidagogos* (tutor/guardian) in [Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Tutor"), a figure who supervised children until they reached maturity.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes in this verse and the surrounding chapter include the **temporary nature of the Law**, which was never intended as a permanent means of salvation but rather as a preparatory stage. It highlights the **revelation of faith** as the ultimate and complete means of salvation, contrasting it with the Law's inability to justify. The verse also underscores the **Law's role in exposing sin** and demonstrating humanity's need for a Savior, effectively "shutting up" all under the condemnation of sin so that the promise of faith could be received. This confinement, while restrictive, was ultimately **redemptive in its purpose**, designed to lead humanity to the freedom found in Christ, as further elaborated in [Galatians 3:25-26](/galatians/3-25-26 "Galatians 3:25-26 - Freedom in Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **kept (Greek, _phrouréō'_):** From a compound of *pro* (before) and *horaō* (to see), meaning "to be a watcher in advance," "to mount guard as a sentinel," or figuratively, "to hem in, protect." In this context, it describes the Law's function as a guardian or custodian. Humanity was "kept" or "guarded" by the Law, implying both a protective custody (preserving them for faith) and a restrictive confinement (holding them under its authority and condemnation, preventing self-justification).
* **shut up (Greek, _synkleíō'_):** From *syn* (together) and *kleiō* (to shut), meaning "to shut together," "include," or "embrace in a common subjection to." This word vividly portrays a state of being enclosed, confined, or imprisoned. It emphasizes the Law's comprehensive dominion, showing that all humanity, regardless of their efforts, was "locked up" under its demands and the inescapable reality of sin, thereby creating a universal need for the "faith which should afterwards be revealed."
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** From *peithō* (to persuade), meaning "persuasion," "credence," "moral conviction," "reliance upon Christ for salvation," or "the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself." In Galatians 3:23, "faith" refers not merely to a human act of believing, but to the objective reality of the gospel message and the new covenant era inaugurated by Christ. It is the full revelation of God's saving plan, contrasted with the preparatory period of the Law.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But before faith came":** This clause marks a clear temporal distinction, highlighting a pivotal moment in redemptive history. "Faith" here refers to the new era of salvation inaugurated by the advent of Christ and the full revelation of the gospel, rather than merely the human act of believing. It signifies the transition from the Old Covenant, characterized by the Law, to the New Covenant, characterized by grace through Christ.
* **"we were kept under the law":** This describes the preceding period. The "we" refers primarily to the Jewish people, who were given the Mosaic Law, but by extension, it applies to all humanity in their inability to achieve righteousness apart from Christ. To be "kept under the law" means to be under its authority, its demands, and its condemnation. The Law functioned as a guardian, holding humanity in a state of accountability and revealing sin, thereby preventing any claim to self-righteousness.
* **"shut up unto the faith":** This phrase intensifies the imagery of confinement, emphasizing a purposeful imprisonment. Humanity, unable to escape the Law's demands or the penalty of sin through their own efforts, was "shut up" or "enclosed." This confinement, however, was not without purpose; it was "unto" or "for the purpose of" the coming faith. The Law's role was to lead to a recognition of utter helplessness, thereby pointing directly to the necessity and sufficiency of Christ.
* **"which should afterwards be revealed":** This final clause clarifies the ultimate goal and culmination of the Law's temporary role. The "faith" (the gospel of Christ) was not yet fully unveiled during the Law's dominion. It was something that God intended to disclose at a later, appointed time. The revelation of Christ brought the full light of God's saving grace, making the Law's custodial function obsolete as the promised "faith" had finally arrived.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs powerful **Metaphor** and **Personification** in this verse to describe the Law's role. The Law is personified as a custodian or guardian, actively "keeping" humanity under its authority, much like a jailer "shuts up" prisoners. This imagery vividly conveys a state of confinement and restriction, emphasizing humanity's inability to escape sin's dominion or achieve righteousness on their own. The phrase "shut up unto the faith" uses a strong **Antithesis**, contrasting the restrictive, preparatory period under the Law with the liberating, ultimate reality of faith. This sets up a dramatic tension that is resolved by the "revelation" of faith, highlighting the divine purpose behind the Law's temporary, confining function.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 3:23 articulates a foundational principle of Pauline theology: the Law's preparatory and temporary role in God's overarching plan of salvation. It was given not as a means to achieve righteousness, but to expose sin and to serve as a custodian, holding humanity in a state of dependence until the promised "faith" – the full revelation of Christ and the gospel – arrived. This understanding prevents legalism by demonstrating that human effort under the Law is insufficient for justification and underscores the absolute necessity and sufficiency of God's grace through Christ. The verse powerfully illustrates the progression of God's redemptive work, moving from a period of shadow and restraint to one of light and freedom in Christ.

* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")
* [Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the End of the Law")
* [Hebrews 9:8-10](/hebrews/9-8-10 "Hebrews 9:8-10 - The Old Covenant as a Temporary Arrangement")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 3:23 offers profound clarity on our standing before God. It reminds us that any attempt to earn God's favor or salvation through adherence to rules, rituals, or personal performance is futile. Before Christ, humanity was indeed "shut up" by the Law, imprisoned by its demands and the inescapable reality of our inability to perfectly fulfill them. This confinement was a divine strategy, designed to lead us to the only true source of liberation: faith in Jesus Christ. For us today, this means embracing the freedom and security found in Christ's finished work, rather than striving under the burden of legalism. We are no longer "under the law" as a means of justification, but "under grace." This understanding should cultivate deep gratitude for God's redemptive plan and empower us to live not by compulsion, but by the Spirit, out of love for the One who set us free. It calls us to rest in Christ's righteousness, not our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I still be subtly trying to earn God's favor or justify myself through my own efforts, rather than fully resting in Christ's finished work?**
* **How does understanding the Law's temporary, preparatory role deepen my appreciation for the grace revealed in Jesus Christ?**
* **If the Law was meant to "shut us up" to expose our sin, how can I allow God's Word to reveal my need for Christ today, rather than trying to hide or minimize my imperfections?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that "before faith came, we were kept under the law"?**

Answer: This phrase signifies a specific period in God's redemptive history, prior to the full revelation of Jesus Christ and the gospel. "Faith" here refers to the new covenant era inaugurated by Christ. To be "kept under the law" means that humanity, particularly the Jewish people, was under the authority, demands, and condemnation of the Mosaic Law. The Law functioned as a guardian or custodian, holding people accountable for their sins and demonstrating their inability to achieve righteousness through their own efforts, thereby preparing them for the coming of Christ. It was a temporary, preparatory arrangement designed to highlight humanity's need for a Savior, as Paul explains further in [Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Tutor").

**Was the Law a bad thing if it "kept us shut up"?**

Answer: No, the Law itself was not bad; it was "holy, just, and good" ([Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy")). The imagery of being "shut up" or "confined" by the Law is not meant to imply that the Law was evil, but rather that it was insufficient to provide salvation. Its purpose was to reveal sin and to demonstrate humanity's inability to meet God's perfect standard, thereby "shutting up" every person under the universal condemnation of sin ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). This confinement was a purposeful, divine strategy to lead people to recognize their desperate need for a Savior and to embrace the "faith which should afterwards be revealed" in Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 3:23 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very "faith which should afterwards be revealed." He is the culmination and goal of the Law, bringing to an end its custodial function for those who believe ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the End of the Law for Righteousness")). Before Christ, humanity was indeed "kept under the law," confined by its demands and the inescapable reality of sin, which the Law exposed but could not remove ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")). Jesus, through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, fulfilled the Law's righteous requirements on our behalf ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")) and bore its curse ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems from the Curse of the Law")). His resurrection then inaugurated the new era of "faith," where justification and righteousness are freely given to all who believe in Him, without the works of the Law ([Romans 3:21-22](/romans/3-21-22 "Romans 3:21-22 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Thus, Christ is the glorious revelation that liberates us from the Law's former guardianship, leading us into the freedom and adoption as sons and daughters of God through faith ([Galatians 3:26](/galatians/3-26 "Galatians 3:26 - Sons of God Through Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Galatians 5:18

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Galatians 3:24

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:25

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 6:15

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Galatians 3:19

¶ Wherefore then [serveth] 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.

Romans 11:32

For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.