The paidagogos (3:24–25)

Says “Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law” (Gal 3:23). “So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (3:24; ὁ νόμος παιδαγωγὸς ἡμῶν γέγονεν εἰς Χριστόν; “to lead us” is the translation’s, for εἰς Χριστόν). “Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian” (3:25; ὑπὸ παιδαγωγόν).

Lightfoot describes the figure: “The pædagogus or tutor, frequently a superior slave, was entrusted with the moral supervision of the child.” Chrysostom speaks of the tutor “ridding the youth from all vice”, and adds, “But when the youth’s habits are formed, then the Tutor leaves him, as Paul says.” These are their descriptions; what εἰς Χριστόν means here is weighed in the language and exegetical notes.

Implies Because the guardian is named alongside custody under the law (3:23–24) and 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 Paul’s image draws on the household guardian’s duties described by these writers is open; this background does not fix the meaning of the text.