Reading for January 18th

Read Galatians 3.19-29
In verse 18-29: Why the law was given.
Paul shows similar concern to defend the law in Romans (7.7-12).
In verses 19-20: Because of transgressions: This is a very difficult phrase: as a way of dealing with transgressions that could be dealt with no other way? as a way of naming our transgressions?
Ordained through angels by a mediator: The particular event this refers to is unclear, its intent is to show that the law expressed God's will indirectly.
In verse 21-22: This would seem to follow from vv. 17-18 (Rom 3.31).
As in Rom 7, sin is seen as a powerful, almost personal, force capable of using the law to its own advantage.
Faith in Jesus Christ: See comments on 2.15-21.
In verses 23-29: Faith refers to the way of faith, anticipated by Abraham not exemplified in Christ.
In verse 24: Disciplinarian refers to a teacher responsible for a child's upbringing on behalf of the parents, a temporary role.
In verse 26: In Christ Jesus: Believers now enjoy the status of full-fledged children who no longer need a surrogate parent.
Faith marks the way one "enters" Christ.
In verse 27: Through baptism believers "die and rise" with Christ, thereby entering the sphere where God's life-giving power is operative.
So engulfed are they by Christ, it is like putting on a garment (Col 3.9-11).
In verse 28: The elimination of ethic, social, and gender distinctions derives from the oneness experienced in Christ (1 Cor 7.17-24).
The language here is probably drawn from an early baptismal formula.
In verse 29: This is the point toward which Paul has been building.
God promised Abraham that the gentiles would receive blessing through his "seed."
This occurred with Christ, the seed of Abraham, who enabled Abraham's way of relating to God to become reality-the way of faith.
Those who respond to Christ in faith, both gentiles and Jews, become Abraham's children.
Who, then, are Abraham's children Jews alone? No. Everyone who shares the faith of Abraham.
Christ, first, then those who exhibit faith like Christ.
Comments or Questions..