Deep Dive into Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume - Galatians 3

Matthew Henry’s commentary on Galatians 3 portrays the apostle Paul sharply reproving the Galatians for their "folly" and "bewitchment." After beginning their spiritual journey in the Spirit, they absurdly attempted to perfect themselves through the flesh by returning to the Mosaic Law. Henry describes this as a regression that ignores their own spiritual experiences and the clear portrayal of Christ crucified, effectively rendering their past sufferings vain.

To correct this error, the commentary argues that justification comes solely through faith, as evidenced by Abraham. Abraham was justified by believing God’s promise long before the Law existed. Since the covenant with Abraham was a binding "testament," the subsequent Law given 430 years later could not annul it. Furthermore, the Law cannot justify because it demands perfect, perpetual obedience; failure in any point brings a curse. Christ redeemed humanity from this impossible standard by voluntarily becoming a curse himself, thereby absorbing the Law's penalty and extending Abraham's blessing to the Gentiles.

Henry clarifies that the Law was not useless but served a specific, temporary purpose "because of transgressions." It functioned as a "schoolmaster"—not the teacher, but a stern servant designed to discipline God’s people during their spiritual minority. It convicted them of sin, restrained their lusts through terror, and demonstrated the absolute necessity of a Savior by revealing that legal sacrifices were insufficient to remove guilt.

This guardianship was intended only until the arrival of Christ, the promised "seed." Now that faith has come, believers are no longer minors under a custodian but have graduated to the status of adult sons. By "putting on Christ" in baptism, Christians of all nations enter a relationship of direct access to God, enjoying the full freedom and inheritance of being Abraham’s spiritual offspring.

Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian

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