Who Am I · Day 3
Galatians 3:23-29 — a devotion
Galatians 3
- 23믿음이 오기 전에 우리가 율법 아래 매인 바 되고 계시될 믿음의 때까지 갇혔느니라But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
- 24이같이 율법이 우리를 그리스도에게로 인도하는 몽학선생이 되어 우리로 하여금 믿음으로 말미암아 의롭다 함을 얻게 하려 함이니라Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
- 25믿음이 온 후로는 우리가 몽학선생 아래 있지 아니하도다But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
- 26너희가 다 믿음으로 말미암아 그리스도 예수 안에서 하나님의 아들이 되었으니For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.
- 27누구든지 그리스도와 합하여 침례를 받은 자는 그리스도로 옷 입었느니라For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
- 28너희는 유대인이나 헬라인이나 종이나 자주자나 남자나 여자 없이 다 그리스도 예수 안에서 하나이니라There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- 29너희가 그리스도께 속한 자면 곧 아브라함의 자손이요 약속대로 유업을 이을 자니라And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise.
KJV and World English Bible — Public Domain · 개역한글 ⓒ Korean Bible Society
Background
Galatians is a letter the apostle Paul sent to the various churches in the region of Galatia. At that time, Judaizers had entered the Galatian churches and were teaching the Gentile Christians that they could be saved only if they kept the law. Paul strongly refuted this, declaring that salvation comes not through the law but through faith alone. In chapter 3, Paul uses Abraham's faith as an example to explain the relationship between law and faith. This passage is the concluding part of that argument, powerfully proclaiming that in Christ every believer has come to hold the identity of a child of God.
Reflection questions: 1. What does the identity of being a child of God in Christ mean to me? 2. Among the world's standards that define me, which ones can I rise above in Christ? 3. How can I display my identity as a child of God in everyday life?
Today's reflection
In Galatians 3:23-29, Paul contrasts the age under the law with the new age that comes through faith. The law served as a schoolmaster to guide us until Christ came, but now that faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Verse 26 is the key declaration: that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
When Paul declares here that we are children of God, it is not a mere figure of speech. In Roman society at that time, a son was the legal heir who inherited the father's estate. That we have become God's children in Christ means we have become confident heirs of the kingdom of God. Also, when verse 28 says there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, this is a revolutionary declaration that in Christ all social distinctions and discrimination are transcended.
My identity is not determined by grades, appearance, or family background. In Christ, I am a child of God. This identity cannot be taken away by anyone, and it cannot be erased by any failure. However the world evaluates me, God looks at me as a beloved child. Today, let's remember this fact and live with confidence as children of God.
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