Tutor
A tutor refers to a servant in the Hellenistic era who played the role of a private teacher for the children of aristocrats. It is a term found in Galatians 3 of the NASB Version of the Bible, used as a metaphor for the Old Testament law.[1] In the KJV and NLT it is translated as “schoolmaster” and “guardian.”
The Meaning and Role of a Tutor
Tutor is called paidagogos (παιδαγωγός)[2] in Greek. It is a compound word derived from pais (παῖς),[3] meaning “child,” and ago (ἄγω),[4] meaning “to lead” or “to guide.” A paidagogos (παιδαγωγός) in ancient Greece and Rome referred to a servant responsible for educating a master’s son in elementary studies from around the age of 6 or 7 until he reached adulthood (12 or 15–16 years old). The pidagogos also took care of the child’s clothing, meals, and behavior and ensured his safe passage to school.[5] In other words, tutor refers to a servant who acts as a teacher, protector, and guide for a child.
Tutor and the Law of the Old Testament
The New Testament likens the Old Testament law to a tutor.
Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge [has become our tutor, NASB] to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law [tutor, NASB].
Just as a master’s son was under the guidance of a tutor until he reached adulthood, God’s people were under the Old Testament law until the coming of Christ.[6] The Old Testament law served as a copy and shadow of Christ’s law.[7] When Christ came, He fulfilled the law, and at the same time, the old law was abolished.[8] God’s people escaped from the Old Testament law and became God’s children and heirs of the kingdom of God.[9]
Furthermore, as it is expressed that “the law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ,” the Old Testament law played the role of a guide, leading people to Christ by making them aware of their sins.
What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” . . . But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
Christ is the one who freely grants the forgiveness of sins and eternal life through His sacrificial blood.[10][11] Only when we realize that we are doomed to death because of sin[12] can we seek Christ, who grants the forgiveness of sins.[13] Since the Old Testament law plays the role of making people aware of their sins,[14] Apostle Paul, who wrote Galatians, used the metaphor of a “tutor” (guardian or schoolmaster) to describe how the law leads mankind to Christ.
See also
References
- ↑ "Galatians 3:24–25". New American Standard Bible.
- ↑ Strong's Greek: 3807. παιδαγωγός, Bible Hub
- ↑ Strong's Greek: 3816. παῖς, Bible Hub
- ↑ Strong's Greek: 71. ἄγω, Bible Hub
- ↑ Paidagogos, Bible Study Tools
- ↑ "Galatians 4:1–3".
- ↑ "Hebrews 10:1".
- ↑ "Hebrews 7:18–19".
- ↑ "Galatians 4:4–7".
- ↑ "Matthew 26:27–28".
- ↑ "Ephesians 1:7".
- ↑ "Romans 6:23".
- ↑ "Matthew 9:2–6".
- ↑ "Romans 3:20".