The Schoolmaster And His Function
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesIn Galations Chapter 3, Paul mentions the fact that the law of Moses served as a “schoolmaster” (Gal. 3:24 KJV) or “tutor” (Gal. 3:24) to bring us to Christ.
The Greek transliterated term for “schoolmaster” is “Paidagogos,” from which we get our English term “pedagogy.”
From Thayer’s Greek lexicon, comes this definition:
“The schoolmaster was a guardian and guide of boys. Among the Greeks and the Romans the name was applied to trustworthy slaves who were charged with the duty of supervising the life and morals of boys belonging to the better class. The boys were not allowed so much as to step out of the house without them before arriving at the age of manhood.”
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE), provides us with this definition and description:
“Schoolmaster” is a translation of paidagogos, literally, “child-leader.” The “paidagagos” was not a teacher but a slave, to whom in wealthy families the general oversight of a boy was committed. It was his duty to accompany his charge to and from school, never to lose sight of him in public, to prevent association with objectionable companions, to inculcate moral lessons at every opportunity.
The law of Moses thus served the folks under that law, as a “schoolmaster” or “child-leader.” It was designed to properly train the Jews in preparing them for the coming of the Messiah. It accomplished this through the teaching of the Old Testament prophets and the many prophecies of the coming Savior.
Paul also mentions the fact that when “the faith” is revealed (Gal. 3:23), we are no longer under a schoolmaster or tutor (Gal. 3:25).
“The faith” [the gospel] was revealed and was being being preached in the first century (Ephesians 3:1-6; cf. Gal. 1:23; Philippians 1:27). Christ is “the mediator of the New Testament” [covenant] system of faith (Hebrews 9:15). Thus, the law of Moses is not binding on Christians today (Ephesians 2:10-16; Colossians 2:14; cf. Gal. 3:10-14).
Christians are today “under the law of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:21 ESV).
Related Articles:
- Are We Under “Law” or “Grace”?
- Is the Law of Moses (Torah) Still Binding?
- To What Law Were the Ancient Gentiles Accountable?
- Did the Ancient Gentiles Have the Hope of Salvation?
- Was There Forgiveness Under the Mosaic Regime?
- Should Christians Keep the Sabbath?
- Deuteronomy 5:3,12 – The Scope of the Sabbath
- Was the Sabbath a Divine Requirement from the Time of Creation?
- Is the Abolition of the Ten Commandments Ridiculous?
- Is Fasting for Christians Today?