Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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. New Living Translation Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. English Standard Version Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith 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. Berean Literal Bible Now before faith came, we were held in custody under the Law, having been locked up until the faith being about to be revealed, King James Bible But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. New King James Version But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. New American Standard Bible But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, being confined for the faith that was destined to be revealed. NASB 1995 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. NASB 1977 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Legacy Standard Bible But before faith came, we were held in custody under the Law, being shut up for the coming faith to be revealed. Amplified Bible Now before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, [perpetually] imprisoned [in preparation] for the faith that was destined to be revealed, Christian Standard Bible Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. Holman Christian Standard Bible Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was 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. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But until the faith would come, The Written Law had kept us while we were closed off to the faith that was going to be revealed. Contemporary English Version The Law controlled us and kept us under its power until the time came when we would have faith. Douay-Rheims Bible But before the faith came, we were kept under the law shut up, unto that faith which was to be revealed. English Revised Version But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. GOD'S WORD® Translation We were kept under control by Moses' laws until this faith came. We were under their control until this faith which was about to come would be revealed. Good News Translation But before the time for faith came, the Law kept us all locked up as prisoners until this coming faith should be revealed. International Standard Version Now before faith came about, we were held in custody and confined under the Law in preparation for the faith that was to be revealed. Literal Standard Version And before the coming of faith, we were being kept under law, shut up to the faith about to be revealed, Majority Standard Bible Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. New American Bible Before faith came, we were held in custody under law, confined for the faith that was to be revealed. NET Bible Now before faith came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners until the coming faith would be revealed. New Revised Standard Version Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. New Heart English Bible But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Webster's Bible Translation But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up to the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Weymouth New Testament Before this faith came, we Jews were perpetual prisoners under the Law, living under restraints and limitations in preparation for the faith which was soon to be revealed. World English Bible But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Young's Literal Translation And before the coming of the faith, under law we were being kept, shut up to the faith about to be revealed, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Purpose of the Law…22But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe. 23 Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.… Cross References John 3:34 For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. Romans 11:32 For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone. Treasury of Scripture But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up to the faith which should afterwards be revealed. faith came. Galatians 3:19,24,25 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… Galatians 4:1-4 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; … Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. under. Galatians 4:4,5,21 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, … Galatians 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. the faith. Luke 10:23,24 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: … Hebrews 11:13,39,40 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth… 1 Peter 1:11,12 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow… Jump to Previous Afterwards Confined Custody Faith Guarded Held Jews Kept Law Perpetual Preparation Prison Prisoners Restraint Restraints Revealed Revelation Shut Soon WaitingJump to Next Afterwards Confined Custody Faith Guarded Held Jews Kept Law Perpetual Preparation Prison Prisoners Restraint Restraints Revealed Revelation Shut Soon WaitingGalatians 3 1. He asks what moved them to leave the faith, and hold onto the law.6. Those who believe are justified, 9. and blessed with Abraham. 10. And this he shows by many reasons. 15. The purpose of the Law 26. You are sons of God (23) Before faith came.--Before faith awoke into exercise, began to exist, or the preaching of Christ as its object. We were kept.--Better, we were kept in ward, so as to bring out more clearly the force of the metaphor which runs through the verse. The Law was a kind of prison-house, in which we were kept shut up. It was a custody from which we were not permitted to escape--a stern guardian that we were made to obey. Unto the faith . . .--With a view to the dispensation of faith which was in store for us. The object of this state of guardianship was to fit us for the dispensation of faith looming in the future. Verse 23. - The feature which distinguishes this new paragraph (vers. 23, 24) from the preceding (vers. 21, 22) is the more distinct statement of the paedagogic function of the Law as preparatory to that economy of grace which was the ulterior purpose of the Lawgiver. In the meanwhile (the apostle here says) we were committed to the custody of the Law. But before faith came (πρὸ τοῦ δὲ ἐλθεῖν τὴν πίστιν). The "but" is an-tithetic to the closing clause of ver. 22, from which is taken up afresh the notion of faith, there spoken of as of old destined to become at the proper time the qualifier for the receiving of the promise. "Faith" denotes, not objectively, "the faith," that is, the gospel, as Galatians 1:23, a sense in which it is seldom used, and which is repelled here by the whole context; but subjectively, the principle of belief in One who gives of mere grace. This, by a bold and surely jubilant figure of speech, is personified as "coming" for men's deliverance, while the "Law" is also personified as the stern custodian under whose charge till then men were detained. Compare the frequent references in the Psalms to "light," "truth," "righteousness," "word," etc., being" sent," "commanded," by the Lord, as in angels, despatched for the help of his saints (Psalm 43:3; Psalm 40:11; Psalm 57:3; Psalm 107:20, etc.). We were kept under the Law, shut up (ὑπὸ νόμον ἐφρουρούμεθα συγκεκλεισμένοι [συγκλειόμενοι, Revised Text; so, according to Scrivener, L. T. Tr.]); we were kept in ward under the Law. shut up. The "we" recites, not exactly Jewish Christians or Jews, except per accidens, but God's people. The verb φρουρεῖν, keep carefully guarded, is used with a prominent notion of protection in Philippians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:5; whilst in 2 Corinthians 11:32, as here, the more prominent idea is that of preventing egress. Comp. Romans 7:6, "The Law wherein we were holden (κατειχόμεθα)." So Wisd. 17:16, of Egyptians, in the plague of miraculous darkness, as it were imprisoned, unable to move, Ἐφρουρεῖτο εἰς τὴν ἀσίδηρον εἱρκτὴν κατακλεισθείς, "Was kept ill ward, having been shut up into the prison which had no iron bars." The reading συγκλειόμενοι or συνκλειόμενοι, although highly witnessed to by uncial manuscripts, appears to be accounted for by the reading in B, συγκλεισμένοι (very probably a clerical blunder for συγκεκλεισμένοι), which may have given it vogue. The perfect participle seems alone suitable to the passage, q.d. shut up for good and all. The present participle would require to be understood of the repression of a constantly repeated endeavour to escape (or, what?). As the verb συνέκλεισεν occurs in the preceding verse, συγκεκλεισμένοι takes the shade of meaning, "shut up as I said." Unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed (εἰς τὴν μέλλουσαν πίστιν ἀποκαλυφθῆναι). "Unto;" with reference to, with an eye to, the coming economy of free grace, to which they were then to be transferred. The same preposition (εἰς) is used in the same manner in the next verse," unto Christ." In the words, τὴν μέλλουσαν πίστιν ἀποκαλυφθῆναι, we have the same form of sentence as in Romans 8:18, Πρὸς τὴν μέλλουσαν δόξαν ἀποκαλυφθῆναι, "For the glory which shall hereafter be revealed." In both cases, the emphatic position of μέλλουσαν appears to indicate, not merely that the manifestation was future, but that the future would be sure to bring it; the predetermining purpose of God made it certain. "Revealed:" the principle of faith as accepting a gift bestowed of free grace, though not unknown to the pious of former ages (Romans 3:21) - for how in any age could one con-scions of sin look for any gift at the hands of the Almighty except thus? - was destined, under the "gospel of the grace of God," to come forth into conspicuous prominence as the one supremely commanding element of religious sentiment.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek BeforeΠρὸ (Pro) Preposition Strong's 4253: A primary preposition; 'fore', i.e. In front of, prior to. [this] τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. faith πίστιν (pistin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. came, ἐλθεῖν (elthein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 2064: To come, go. we were held in custody ἐφρουρούμεθα (ephrouroumetha) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural Strong's 5432: From a compound of pro and horao; to be a watcher in advance, i.e. To mount guard as a sentinel; figuratively, to hem in, protect. under ὑπὸ (hypo) Preposition Strong's 5259: A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when). the Law, νόμον (nomon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. locked up συνκλειόμενοι (synkleiomenoi) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 4788: To enclose, shut in, make subject to. From sun and kleio; to shut together, i.e. Include or embrace in a common subjection to. until εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. faith πίστιν (pistin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. should be μέλλουσαν (mellousan) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3195: A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something. revealed. ἀποκαλυφθῆναι (apokalyphthēnai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive Strong's 601: To uncover, bring to light, reveal. From apo and kalupto; to take off the cover, i.e. Disclose. Links Galatians 3:23 NIVGalatians 3:23 NLT Galatians 3:23 ESV Galatians 3:23 NASB Galatians 3:23 KJV Galatians 3:23 BibleApps.com Galatians 3:23 Biblia Paralela Galatians 3:23 Chinese Bible Galatians 3:23 French Bible Galatians 3:23 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Galatians 3:23 But before faith came we were kept (Gal. Ga) |
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