Galatians / The Law's Temporary Role and the Promise

The Law's Temporary Role and the Promise

Galatians 3:15-25

Chapter 3

¹⁵ Brothers, I speak in human terms; however, no one sets aside or adds to a covenant ratified by man. ¹⁶ Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. It does not say, "And to the seeds," as concerning many, but as concerning one, "And to your seed," who is Christ. ¹⁷ Now this I say: a covenant previously ratified by God, the Law, which has come about after four hundred and thirty years, does not invalidate it so as to render the promise powerless. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from a promise; but God has graciously given it to Abraham through a promise. ¹⁹ What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed to whom the promise was made should come. It was arranged through angels by the hand of a mediator. ²⁰ But a mediator is not for one party alone, but God is one. ²¹ Therefore, is the law against the promises of God? May it not be! For if a law had been given the one able to give life, truly righteousness would have been from law. ²² But Scripture has shut up all things under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. ²³ Before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up to the faith that was to be revealed. ²⁴ Thus the law has become our disciplinarian until Christ, so that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a disciplinarian.