If the law can’t save us, why did God give it?

In Galatians 3:19-25, the Apostle Paul explains why God gave His law, even though no one is saved by keeping it. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt walks through what God’s commands are really for.

If we are saved by faith, some people wonder, then why have rules at all? Paul answers that the law was never meant to save us. Instead, it shows us our sin, holds back evil, and points us to Jesus. Paul calls the law our “tutor,” like a guardian who guides a child until the time is right. John Calvin said the law is like a mirror, because it shows us what we are really like. The ceremonial rules of the Old Testament were fulfilled in Christ, but God’s moral law — such as do not murder, do not steal, and do not covet — still stands.

Questions this study answers:

1. Can keeping the law save us? No. Paul is clear that no one is made right with God by keeping the law. The law cannot give life; it can only show us our need for a Savior.

2. What does it mean that the law is a “tutor”? A tutor, or guardian, guides and protects a child until they are grown. In the same way, God’s law guides us and points us to Christ, the only one who can save.

3. Do Christians still need to keep the Old Testament laws? The ceremonial laws, like dietary rules, were fulfilled in Christ. But God’s moral law still reflects His character and shows us how to live.

“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” — Galatians 3:24 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This is Part 6 of the ten-part Galatians study. Find the whole series, along with verse-by-verse studies of other books of the Bible, at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.