Galatians
Chapter 3: 15-25
The Law and the Promise
15Brothers,
let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human
covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16The
promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to
seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person,
who is Christ. 17What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430
years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do
away with the promise. 18For if the inheritance depends on
the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham
through a promise.
19What,
then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to
whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a
mediator. 20A mediator, however, does not represent just one
party; but God is one.
21Is the
law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been
given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of
sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given
to those who believe.
23Before
this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be
revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ
that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has
come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
