In biblical times, the concept of a tutor was closely associated with the role of a guardian or instructor responsible for the education and moral guidance of a child. The term "tutor" is often linked to the Greek word "paidagogos," which appears in the New Testament and is translated as "guardian" or "instructor."

Biblical References:

1. Galatians 3:24-25 : "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian." In this passage, the Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a tutor to describe the function of the Mosaic Law. The law acted as a guardian or tutor, guiding the people of Israel until the coming of Christ, who fulfilled the law and brought justification through faith.

2. 1 Corinthians 4:15 : "Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel." Here, Paul distinguishes between the role of a tutor and that of a spiritual father. While many may serve as instructors or guardians in the faith, Paul emphasizes his unique role as a spiritual father to the Corinthian believers, having brought them the gospel.

Role and Function:

In the Greco-Roman world, a tutor, or "paidagogos," was typically a trusted slave or servant responsible for the upbringing and education of a child, particularly in wealthy families. The tutor's duties included overseeing the child's moral and intellectual development, ensuring they learned proper conduct and received instruction in various subjects. This role was not merely academic but also involved shaping the character and values of the child.

Spiritual Implications:

The use of the term "tutor" in the New Testament carries significant spiritual implications. The law, as a tutor, was intended to guide God's people toward righteousness and prepare them for the coming of Christ. It highlighted humanity's need for a Savior by revealing sin and pointing to the necessity of faith in Jesus for justification.

In a broader spiritual context, the concept of a tutor can be applied to the role of mentors and teachers within the Christian community. These individuals are tasked with guiding believers in their spiritual growth, teaching sound doctrine, and modeling Christ-like behavior. The ultimate goal of such tutelage is to lead individuals to maturity in Christ, as emphasized in Ephesians 4:13 : "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ."

Historical Context:

The role of a tutor in biblical times reflects the broader educational practices of the ancient world, where formal schooling was often reserved for the elite. Tutors played a crucial role in the transmission of cultural and religious values, ensuring that the next generation adhered to the traditions and beliefs of their community.

In summary, the biblical concept of a tutor encompasses both the practical and spiritual dimensions of guidance and instruction. Whether through the law or through spiritual mentors, the role of a tutor is to lead individuals toward a deeper understanding of God's truth and a closer relationship with Christ.1. (n.) One who guards, protects, watches over, or has the care of, some person or thing.

2. (n.) A treasurer; a keeper.

3. (n.) One who has the charge of a child or pupil and his estate; a guardian.

4. (n.) A private or public teacher.

5. (n.) An officer or member of some hall, who instructs students, and is responsible for their discipline.

6. (n.) An instructor of a lower rank than a professor.

7. (v. t.) To have the guardianship or care of; to teach; to instruct.

8. (v. t.) To play the tutor toward; to treat with authority or severity.

TUTOR

tu'-ter: In modern English an "instructor," more particularly a private instructor, but the word properly means a "guardian." Hence its use in Galatians 4:2 the King James Version for epitropos, here "guardian" (so the Revised Version (British and American)), and 1 Corinthians 4:15 Galatians 3:24, 25 the Revised Version (British and American) for paidagogos.

See SCHOOLMASTER.

3807. paidagogos -- a trainer of boys, ie a tutor
... a trainer of boys, ie a tutor. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
paidagogos Phonetic Spelling: (pahee-dag-o-gos') Short Definition: a boy's ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3807.htm - 7k

2012. epitropos -- an administrator (one having authority)
... epitropos Phonetic Spelling: (ep-it'-rop-os) Short Definition: a steward, guardian
Definition: (a) (procurator) a steward, (b) (tutor) a guardian (appointed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2012.htm - 6k

A Great Household
... One of the greatest noblemen of France, Messire de Gondi, Count of Joigny and General
of the King's Galleys, was in need of a tutor for his children and had ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 3 a great household.htm

Philip visits St. Nilus
... Like the great Arsenius, the tutor of Arcadius and Honorius, who followed his example
four years later, he had up to that time lived amid the splendour of a ...
/.../chapter lxii philip visits st.htm

Whether in Baptism it is Necessary for Someone to Raise the ...
... new-born child needs nourishment and guidance: wherefore, in spiritual generation
also, someone is needed to undertake the office of nurse and tutor by forming ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in baptism it is.htm

The Youth of Count Zinzendorf, 1700-1722.
... His tutor, Edeling, was an earnest young Pietist from Franke's school at Halle;
and the story of Zinzendorf's early days reads like a mediaeval tale. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter i the youth of.htm

A Peasant's Son
... There the boy made such good use of his time that four years later, when he was
only sixteen, he was engaged as tutor to the children of M. de Commet, a lawyer ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 1 a peasants son.htm

Preface to the Letters of Dionysius the Areopagite.
... ground. Apollophanes was tutor to Polemon, who again was tutor to Aristides,
who presented his "Apology" to the Emperor Hadrian. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/mystic theology/preface to the letters of.htm

Biographical Sketch.
... In the year 1651, when in his forty-fifth year, we find him still only a
candidate[2] of theology, and resident as a tutor in the family of Andreas Bertholdt ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/biographical sketch.htm

Of the Commissioners Hellebichus Commander of the Troops, and ...
... Since with a boy too, as long as he is guided by some tutor whom he fears, if he
lives with sobriety and meekness, there is nothing to admire, for all persons ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xvii of the commissioners.htm

Christ the Pearl of Great Price.
... [5199] Every soul, therefore, which comes to childhood, and is on the way to full
growth, until the fulness of time is at hand, needs a tutor and stewards and ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/9 christ the pearl of.htm

The Life of Isaac Watts, DD
... another. With the congregation of his tutor Mr. Rowe, who were, I believe,
independents, he communicated in his nineteenth year. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/the life of isaac watts.htm

Tutor (2 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To have the guardianship or care of; to teach; to instruct. 8. (vt) To play
the tutor toward; to treat with authority or severity. Int. ...TUTOR. ...
/t/tutor.htm - 8k

Tutor-slave (2 Occurrences)
Tutor-slave. Tutors, Tutor-slave. Twain . Multi-Version Concordance
Tutor-slave (2 Occurrences). Galatians 3:24 So that ...
/t/tutor-slave.htm - 6k

Jehiel (17 Occurrences)
... 15:18, 20). (4.) A Hachmonite, a tutor in the family of David toward the
close of his reign (1 Chronicles 27:32). (5.) The second ...
/j/jehiel.htm - 16k

Custodian (2 Occurrences)
... Custodian (2 Occurrences). Galatians 3:24 So that the law has become our tutor to
bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (See RSV). ...
/c/custodian.htm - 7k

Twain (16 Occurrences)

/t/twain.htm - 11k

Tarsus (5 Occurrences)
... and companion of the younger Marcus Cato, and his more famous namesake (called
Canaanites after the village of his birth), who was the tutor and confidant of ...
/t/tarsus.htm - 30k

Jehieli (2 Occurrences)
... of a Levitical house (1 Chronicles 23:8; 1 Chronicles 29:8). (3) Son of a Hachmonite;
he was "with the king's (David's) sons," ie their tutor (1 Chronicles 27 ...
/j/jehieli.htm - 9k

Leviticus (1 Occurrence)
... THE SIGNIFICANCE 1. Positive (1) The Law Contains God's Will (2) The Law Prepares
for the Understanding of Christianity (3) The Law as a Tutor unto Christ 2 ...
/l/leviticus.htm - 42k

Great (10383 Occurrences)
... the one hand, laying stress on his Hellenistic descent, to claim admission to the
comity of Hellas, and on the other, to appoint Aristotle to be a tutor to his ...
/g/great.htm - 35k

Governor (78 Occurrences)
... of Pennsylvania. 2. (n.) One who has the care or guardianship of a young
man; a tutor; a guardian. 3. (n.) A pilot; a steersman. 4 ...
/g/governor.htm - 48k

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