Galatians 3:15-29

Christian Standard Bible

¹⁵ Brothers and sisters, I’m using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to a validated human will.^{[a] 16} Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed,^[b](A) who is Christ. ¹⁷ My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later,^(B) does not invalidate a covenant previously established by God^[c] and thus cancel the promise. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise; but God has graciously given it to Abraham through the promise.

The Purpose of the Law

¹⁹ Why, then, was the law given?^(C) It was added for the sake of transgressions^[d] until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels^(D) by means of a mediator.^{(E) 20} Now a mediator is not just for one person alone, but God is one.^{(F) 21} Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if the law had been granted with the ability to give life, then righteousness would certainly be on the basis of the law. ²² But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin’s power,^[e](G) so that the promise might be given on the basis of faith^(H) in Jesus Christ to those who believe.^{(I) 23} Before this faith^(J) came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed.^{(K) 24} The law, then, was our guardian until Christ,^(L) so that we could be justified by faith. ²⁵ But since that faith^(M) has come, we are no longer under a guardian, ²⁶ for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus.

Sons and Heirs

²⁷ For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.^{(N) 28} There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free,^(O) male and female;^(P) since you are all one^(Q) in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs^(R) according to the promise.^(S)