The Relationship of Jewish and Gentile Believers to the Law Between A.D. 30 and 70 in the Scripture

213 The Temporary Nature of Law in Redemption History 3: 19-26 In explaining the temporary nature of the law in redemption history Paul more fully unpacks the compact point which he introduced in 3: 10-14. The two major points which Paul makes in this section are introduced immediately in 3 :19 when he says: (1) the law was given because of transgressions and (2) its role in redemption anticipates and is limited to the coming of the seed . Paul ' s references to " transgressions " (3 :19) and being "shut up " (3 :23) are probably best understood in light of his argument concerning the curse of the law (3: 10, 13- 14). Because of Israel ' s transgressions , she was cursed and "shut up" until the coming of Christ. This section in particular is colored with historical terms which clue the reader that Paul is speaking in national and historical , not in individual terms. He is not saying that no one was saved before the coming of Christ , but that Israel in particular (3:23) and the world in general (3 :22) 180 lived in the anticipatory stage of history until Christ came. 18 1 The law thu was a tutor to lead Israel until Mess iah (3: 24) . When Mess iah came the law was like a ign post whose purpose in heilsgeschichte was fulfilled when the fi nal destination had been 180 Paul uses the more general word "Scripture" in 3:22 which he ay ha hut up all men under in" and then becomes particular in 3 :23 aying "we ... were under law ." Although it is difficult to be dogmatic it eem that Paul ' referen e to ' w " are t th Jewi h people (2 :15 ; 3 :13 , 23 ; 4 :3) while often the econd per on i re er ed for Paul ' audience , namely Gentile (3 :1; 4 :6) . The theological ba i for the di tin ti n i impl God 's ble ing of hi people I rael re ult in ble ing for the world a II. f. D nald n, ' Th ' ur of th Law ' and the lnclu ion of th G ntile : Galatian :13- 14," In redemption hi tory I rael ' plight under the law wa a micr m f th rld . I r I cur ed becau e f her di bedience and I ng d for r d mpti I th not ha e od ' 1 w uld need r d mption a w II. f . I m n t l 3. 181 h i ati n n mpl d f r th r u t mpl l m."