In years past there has been much discussion regarding the question of faith in the Old Testament. Some believe there was faith in the Old Testament and some say there wasn't.Those who believe there was no faith in the Old Testament quote the book of Galatians as their source of proof.
Galatians 3:22-26 26But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Verse 23 reads "but before faith came" and from this the teaching has been that before faith came there must have been a time when there was no faith. Now technically speaking I guess there was a time before faith came. However, I can assure youthat the New Testament was not when faith came. If there was a time when there was no "faith" technically speaking "it predates the book of Genesis."
Hebrews 11:4-8 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
All these men are said to have acted by faith in what God instructed them to do.So to say there was no faith in the Old Testament and use Galatians 3:23 as your proof comes a bit short of the truth. I do not say that in a sarcastic way because anyone knows that when you endeavor to put the word together there is always the possibility of a mistake.
1 Corinthians 13:12a For now we see through a glass, darkly; …
This is the best it gets even for the accomplished scholar. I am very thankful for my teacher in the word and his life however; he was the one who taught me that I have no friends when it comes to the word. So what's the answer? Very simple believe it or not there was a time before faith came. However, the scripture doesn't say before all faith came it says before faith came.The Chevy Trax is a small SUV. It was introduced into the Unites States in the 2015 model year. Now I could say before the Trax came. Now the Trax is a SUV. It's also an automobile.So am I to understand that there were no SUV's or automobiles before 2015? Or am I to understand that there were no Chevy Trax's before 2015?
It would be silly of me to say there were no automobiles before 2015 especially when we have proof that the automobile dates back to 1879.Carl Benz presented his one cylinder two-stroke unit on New Year's Eve 1879.His patent dated back to 1885-1886. The answer is simple there were no ChevyTrax's before 2015 because they were not available.And the answer is equally simple regarding the phrase "before faith came."
Galatians 3:23 But before faith came; we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Let me give you another translation of this verse which accurately represents the definite article in the text.
YLT Galatians 3:23 And before the coming of the faith, under law we were being kept, shut up to the faith about to be revealed,
Young's Literal translation correctly corresponds to the Greek text and supplies the word "the" representing the text.This doesn't say before the coming of faith it says before the coming of "THE FAITH."And there is a world of difference between faith and "THE FAITH."
We are quick to understand this when it comes to holy spirit. We understand that there is a tremendous difference between holy spirit and THE HOLY SPIRIT. One represents God and the other represents a gift.Well the same truth applies to Gal 3:23.You see "THE FAITH" it's talking about being revealed is the faith of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:23-24 23But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us intimes past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.24And they glorified God in me.
What was "the faith" that Paul once destroyed?
Acts 9:3-5 3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Could it be any clearer? The faith that Paul once destroyed was the faith that Jesus Christ came to bring.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Here we see the faith of Jesus Christ is what justifies mankind.
KJV Romans 5:1-2 1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.Galatians 2:20 I am crucified withChrist: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.YLT Galatians 3:23 And before the coming of the faith, under law we were being kept, shut up to the faith about to be revealed,
The faith spoken of here is clearly the faith of Jesus Christ. This KIND of faith was not available in the old covenant under the law. Why?Because Jesus Christ came to make this faith available.
KJV Hebrews 12:2 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.
The Greek for the word author means beginning, originating a thing. Jesus Christ came to make this KIND of faith available to all who call on the name of the son of God. This KIND of faith is the faith of Jesus Christ given to all who believe in their heart. This faith is born inside a believer and is his by seed and was not available to receive until the day of Pentecost. There was plenty of faith under the old covenant however; the faith of Jesus Christ was not one of them.His faith was to be revealed under the great mystery reserved for the church.
To Be Continued… ÿ