Galatians 3:23 Meaning and Explanation
“But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Before faith came, we were kept under the law, confined until the coming faith would be revealed.
What Does Galatians 3:23 Mean?
Paul pictures the time before Christ as a season of being kept under guard. The law held its people in custody, hemming them in, until the faith that was to come should be revealed. It was a holding pattern, not the destination.
There is purpose even in the confinement. The law's restraint preserved God's people and pointed them forward to something better. They were being kept for the day when faith in Christ would be openly revealed and the door of the inheritance would swing wide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Galatians 3:23
What does Galatians 3:23 mean?
Before faith came, we were kept under the law, confined until the coming faith would be revealed.