What does it mean that the law was our schoolmaster?

Chuck Smith, Galatians Study Guide, Galatians 3: The Promise to Abraham: The schoolmaster in the Greek culture was the household servant who escorted the child safely to the place of instruction. The law taught us where we failed to meet God’s standards. It made us realize how our sins separated us from God and how impossible it was for us to be righteous on our own. The law showed us our need for Christ. When we’re justified, God imputes righteousness to us just as if we had never sinned. Scripture, King James Version: Galatians 3:24, "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.

Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-18.