Definition: But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Galatians 3:23. It’s a really interesting and slightly surprising one! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says that before we truly understand or believe in God, we were living under the rules of His law. Let's unpack that a little further: “But before faith came…” This refers to the beginning of our relationship with God. We weren’t already close – we didn’t have a personal connection. “…we were kept under the law…” This means we were living according to a set of rules and regulations established by Moses (and later, the Jewish authorities) – the Law. Think of it like a very strict set of guidelines for how to behave and what to do. It was designed to show us our sinfulness and point us towards righteousness. “…shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.” This is the key part. “Faith” means believing in something, even when you don't fully understand it. The law was supposed to reveal God’s truth – that’s what we were meant to do! But… there was a gap. We weren't ready for that revelation yet. So, the verse is saying: We lived in a state of being under the guidance and control of the Law before we could truly know and believe in God. It wasn’t until faith came – when we started to genuinely love and trust God - that we were freed to receive His truth and become fully part of His family. Think of it like this: Imagine you're learning a new skill. You need to practice before you can truly master it. We were practicing the Law before we could understand or accept God’s love and purpose. Why is this important? The verse highlights that our relationship with God isn't just about following rules, but about opening ourselves up to His grace and understanding . It’s a reminder that true faith comes through a transformational experience – a shift in our perspective and hearts. --- Do you want me to: Explain it further? Give an example of how this applies to modern life?