Galatians 3:24

The law. That is, the entire legal system, consisting of moral, ceremonial, and civil statutes (see on ch. 2:16).

Schoolmaster. Gr. paidagogos, a “tutor,” or “guardian,” of children; literally, “a leader of children,” but not a “teacher” (didaskalos). In Greek households the paidagogos was a supervisor of, and companion to, boys. He accompanied them to school, protected them from harm, kept them from mischief, and had the right to discipline them. In Greek art he is generally represented with a stick in his hand. If qualified to do so, he may also have assisted them in the preparation of their lessons.

The role of the paidagogos is an apt illustration (see on v. 19). “The law” served as the guardian, supervisor, or custodian of the chosen people in OT times, and like the paidagogos, was charged with their moral training.

Unto Christ. That is, until Christ should come, as the context requires (vs. 19, 23). According to v. 19, “the law ... was added [to the covenant] ... till the seed [Christ, v. 16] should come” (see comment there). Or to restate the matter, Israel was “kept under the law” (v. 23) until God’s provision for salvation by faith should be “revealed” with the coming of Christ.

Paul here refers very particularly to the ceremonial system, which pointed forward to Christ (see on chs. 2:16; 3:19). It is also true that the moral law was designed of God to lead men to Christ, for it reveals to men their sins and thus their need of cleansing from sin.