Under a guardian until Christ

Says “Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law” (ὑπὸ νόμον ἐφρουρούμεθα (hypo nomon ephrouroumetha, “we were guarded under the law”)). So the law became “our guardian to lead us to Christ” (παιδαγωγὸς ἡμῶν γέγονεν εἰς Χριστόν (paidagōgos hēmōn gegonen eis Christon, “our guardian unto Christ”)); “to lead us” in the BSB is supplied. The purpose is that we might be justified by faith. “Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian”. The household figure is described in The paidagogos (3:24–25). How εἰς Χριστόν is read, of time or of leading to Christ, is set out in Confined, and the guardian (3:22–25), with no verdict here.

Implies Because the guardian is named alongside custody under the law (3:23–24), and because believers are no longer under a guardian now that faith has come (3:25), the text presents the law’s guardian role as no longer over those who believe.

Uncertain How far the image draws on the household guardian’s duties, and whether εἰς Χριστόν marks time or direction, are open. The holders are named in Confined, and the guardian (3:22–25) and The paidagogos (3:24–25); no verdict is given here.