Galatians 3:25
What does Galatians 3:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 3:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 3:25 means
Now that faith has come—that is, Christ has come and the way of faith is revealed—believers are no longer under the law’s guardianship. The temporary role of the tutor has ended with the arrival of maturity. This does not make God’s moral will irrelevant, but it does mean that the law is no longer the covenant under which God’s people live. They relate to God as sons and heirs through Christ, with the Spirit guiding and empowering them. Freedom from the tutor points to a new era of direct access and full status in God’s family by faith.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a servant.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the faith having come, no more under a child-conductor are we,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But after the faith is come, we are no longer under a pedagogue.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But, faith having come, we are no longer under a tutor;
Context
Verse 25 concludes the tutor metaphor from verses 23–24. With the arrival of faith, the law’s role as guardian is over for those in Christ. This prepares for the identity statements of verses 26–29, which describe the privileges and unity of believers in Christ Jesus. The flow shifts from the function of the law to the status of the Christian: from confinement to sonship, from supervision to union with Christ, and from division to oneness, culminating in the claim that those who belong to Christ are Abraham’s seed and heirs by promise.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 10:15
And the Holy Spirit also beareth witness to us; for after he hath said,
- Romans 6:14
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace.
- Hebrews 7:11
Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?
- Galatians 4:1
But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all;
- Romans 7:4
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God.
- Hebrews 8:3
For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that thishigh priestalso have somewhat to offer.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Galatians 3
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Galatians 3.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
Topic
Bible Verses About Family
The Bible emphasizes the importance of family, both biological and spiritual, as a foundational unit in God's design.
Topic
Bible Verses About Identity in Christ
Discovering our true identity in Christ transforms how we see ourselves and live our lives