3:22 But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

What is the promise?

Gal 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Romans 4:13 For the promise to Abraham and to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not fulfilled through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

Acts 13:23 From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised.

The promise --
The coming Savior, the Messiah Who would save from sin.
The righteousness that comes by faith.
The inheritance of this world in the future

One thing that about human nature -- we need to feel a need before we pursue a remedy.
People who think they are righteous and in need of nothing are the hardest people to reach with the gospel.
So yes, God thundered His law from Mount Sinai, to alert people to the extent of their sin and the awesome righteousness of God. Do we see the wide gap? Do we sense our need for a Savior.
It is those who come to Christ fully aware of their sinfulness and in repentance claim His blood of forgiveness, that love Him the most.
And these God, through His Holy Spirit can restore onto the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.


3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But before faith came,....
This does not mean that OT people had no faith, or that they were saved by works. Old Testament saints had faith in a coming Redeemer, Adam, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaiah, Daniel, etc. believed in the coming Savior, and were justified by faith in his righteousness, as we are.

It is much better to understand that Jesus Christ, as the foundation of that faith, came and it all became so much clearer and real! Christ, the object of faith, who was to come, and is come in the flesh, to fulfill the law; and by so doing bestows upon the repentant, believing person His pardoning grace and His merits of righteousness.

Before Christ came the Jews, and Paul was one, were "kept by the law" they were kept distinct and separate from the rest of the nations of the world and so were preserved in some measure both from their pagan and idolatrous ways. It was through them the Messiah was to come. They were a people expecting His coming!
They were kept under law as persons under a guard, keeping them close to the discharge of their duty as God's representatives on earth.

The purpose was always to point them to Christ.
To welcome Him when He came in the flesh.
To accept Him as their Redeemer and Savior from sin.

3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Do we need someone to drive us to Christ?
The law still does that.
But once we accept Him, we shouldn't need the law to drive us, we should rejoice in His Salvation.

The law is revelation of God's character, a small view of His righteousness! As Sons and daughters, children of God, forgiven and cleansed we want to glorify God by exhibiting His character to the world! That means exhibiting the principles of His Holy law!

This we can only do if we abide in Him, and He with us.

It's not just a passive relationship. It is an active faith, laying hold on the arm of omnipotent power, " let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily ensnare us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2-3