<p>3:22 <i>But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin</i><i>, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe</i>- See on :14. Sin occurs as a major them in Paul&rsquo;s writings&ndash; not just in Romans, where he speaks so much about sin without hinting that a supernatural &lsquo;Satan&rsquo; figure is involved with it. He sees sin as playing an almost positive, creative role in the formation of the true Christian, both individually and in terms of salvation history. He speaks of how the Mosaic law was given to as it were highlight the power of sin; but through this it lead us to Christ, through our desperation and failure to obey, &ldquo;that (Gk. <i>hina</i>, a purpose clause) we might be righteoused by faith&rdquo; (Gal. 3:24&ndash;26). The curses for disobedience were &ldquo;<i>in order that</i> (Gk. <i>hina</i>) the blessing of Abraham would come upon the Gentiles&rdquo; (Gal. 3:10&ndash;14); &ldquo;the Scripture consigned all things to sin, <i>in order that</i> (Gk. <i>hina</i>) what was promised to faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who have faith&rdquo; (Gal. 3:22). Note that it was the Law, &ldquo;the Scripture&rdquo;, which consigned things to sin&ndash; not a personal Satan. My point is that sin was used by God, <i>hina</i>, &lsquo;in order that&rsquo;, there would be an ultimately positive spiritual outcome. Indeed this appears to be the genius of God, to work through human failure to His glory. This view of sin, which any mature believer will surely concur with from his or her life experience, is impossible to square with the ideas of dualism, whereby God and &lsquo;sin&rsquo; are radically opposed, fighting a pitched battle ranging between Heaven and earth, with no common ground. No &ndash; God is truly Almighty in every sense, and this includes His power over sin. The life, death and resurrection of His Son were His way of dealing with it &ndash; to His glory.</p>