Faith Was Locked Up, but It Also Was Not

Paul writes to the church in Galatia, But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.^{Galatians 3:23} So there was no faith under the law. With such an important teaching, Paul should be able to keep this teaching in mind when writing other letters.

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. … He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.^{Romans 4:3, 20-22}

So which is it? Was there previously faith under the law, as Paul argues by the example of Abraham, or was faith shut up under the law, as Paul argues in his epistle to Galatia? Why is Paul so conflicting and confusing?

Value of this Evidence

This is not great evidence against Paul being a false apostle, however it is good evidence to show that Paul could not even keep his own theology straight.