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19 (A)Why the Law then? It was added [a]because of trespasses, having been (B)ordained through angels (C)by the hand of a mediator, until (D)the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now (E)a mediator is not [b]for one person only, whereas God is one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? (F)May it never be! For (G)if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed be by law. 22 But the Scripture has (H)shut up [c]everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 3:19 Or for the sake of defining
  2. Galatians 3:20 Lit of one
  3. Galatians 3:22 Lit all things

The Purpose of the Law

19 Why, then, was the law given?(A) It was added for the sake of transgressions[a] until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels(B) by means of a mediator.(C) 20 Now a mediator is not just for one person alone, but God is one.(D) 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,[b](E) so that the promise might be given on the basis of faith(F) in Jesus Christ to those who believe.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. 3:19 Or because of transgressions
  2. 3:22 Lit under sin

19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions(A) until the Seed(B) to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels(C) and entrusted to a mediator.(D) 20 A mediator,(E) however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!(F) For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.(G) 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin,(H) so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

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