Galatians 3:19 “Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, un…”

Galatians 3:19

Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

World English Bible

Then why is there the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.

American Standard Version

What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.

Geneva Bible 1599

Wherefore then serueth the Law? It was added because of the transgressions, til the seed came, vnto the which the promise was made: and it was ordeined by Angels in the hande of a Mediatour.

Darby Translation

Why then the law? It was added for the sake of transgressions, until the seed came to whom the promise was made, ordained through angels in [the] hand of a mediator.

Young's Literal Translation

Why, then, the law? on account of the transgressions it was added, till the seed might come to which the promise hath been made, having been set in order through messengers in the hand of a mediator —

Bible in Basic English

What then is the law? It was an addition made because of sin, till the coming of the seed to whom the undertaking had been given; and it was ordered through angels by the hand of a go-between.

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Cross references

“then”

Romans 7:7–13 Romans 3:1 Romans 3:2

Romans 7:7–13 · BSB

What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”

Romans 3:1 · BSB

What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?

Romans 3:2 · BSB

Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

“It was added”

Romans 4:15 John 15:22 Romans 2:13 Luke 16:31 John 5:45–47 Galatians 3:21–24

Romans 4:15 · BSB

because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.

John 15:22 · BSB

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.

Romans 2:13 · BSB

For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.

Luke 16:31 · BSB

Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

John 5:45–47 · BSB

Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, in whom you have put your hope.

Galatians 3:21–24 · BSB

Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.

“till”

Galatians 3:16 Galatians 4:1–4 Galatians 3:25

Galatians 3:16 · BSB

The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.

Galatians 4:1–4 · BSB

What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything.

Galatians 3:25 · BSB

Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

“by”

Acts 7:53 Hebrews 2:2 Deuteronomy 33:2 Hebrews 2:5

Acts 7:53 · BSB

you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”

Hebrews 2:2 · BSB

For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment,

Deuteronomy 33:2 · BSB

He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.

Hebrews 2:5 · BSB

For it is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking.

“in”

Deuteronomy 5:5 Acts 7:38 Deuteronomy 9:13–20 John 1:17 Exodus 20:19–22 Exodus 24:1–12

Deuteronomy 5:5 · BSB

At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said:

Acts 7:38 · BSB

He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.

Deuteronomy 9:13–20 · BSB

The LORD also said to me, “I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people.

John 1:17 · BSB

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Exodus 20:19–22 · BSB

“Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.”

Exodus 24:1–12 · BSB

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD—you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders—and you are to worship at a distance.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.

20A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one.

Read Galatians 3