Galatians 3:19
“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.”
Galatians 3:19 in 7 translations
- KJVKing 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.
- DRADouay–Rheims
- Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed should come, to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
- ASVAmerican 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.
- DARBYDarby
- 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.
- WEBThe World English Bible
- What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
- YLTYoung'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 ;
- BPVBiblePics Version
- What, 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 given through angels and entrusted to a mediator.
Context: Galatians 3
17And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19Wherefore 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.
20Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
21Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
About Galatians 3: The Promise of the Spirit
Paul explains how the Spirit is received through faith in Jesus Christ, not through obedience to the law. He also cites Old Testament examples of the promise of the Spirit to illustrate the superiority of faith over the law.
Commentary
Galatians 3 is a powerful chapter that speaks to the importance of faith in the life of a believer. Paul begins by asking the Galatians a rhetorical question: “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” (Galatians 3:1). Paul is asking them why they have abandoned the faith they once had and are now relying on the law for their salvation. He then goes on to remind them of the power of faith, saying, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Galatians 3:5). Paul is emphasizing that faith is the only thing that matters when it comes to salvation.