Galatians 3:15-29
New American Standard Bible 1995
Intent of the Law
15 (A)Brethren, (B)I speak [a]in terms of human relations: (C)even though it is only a man’s [b]covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds [c]conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken (D)to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “(E)And to your seed,” that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came (F)four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For (G)if the inheritance is [d]based on law, it is no longer [e]based on a promise; but (H)God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
19 (I)Why the Law then? It was added [f]because of transgressions, having been (J)ordained through angels (K)by the [g]agency of a mediator, until (L)the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now (M)a mediator is not [h]for one party only; whereas God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? (N)May it never be! For (O)if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness [i]would indeed have been [j]based on law. 22 But the Scripture has (P)shut up [k]everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, (Q)being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our (R)tutor to lead us to Christ, so that (S)we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a [l](T)tutor. 26 For you are all (U)sons of God through faith in (V)Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were (W)baptized into Christ have (X)clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 (Y)There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is [m]neither male nor female; for (Z)you are all one in (AA)Christ Jesus. 29 And if (AB)you [n]belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s [o]descendants, heirs according to (AC)promise.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Galatians 3:15 Lit according to man
- Galatians 3:15 Or will or testament
- Galatians 3:15 Or a codicil
- Galatians 3:18 Lit out of, from
- Galatians 3:18 Lit out of, from
- Galatians 3:19 Or for the sake of defining
- Galatians 3:19 Lit hand
- Galatians 3:20 Lit of one
- Galatians 3:21 Or would indeed be
- Galatians 3:21 Lit out of, from
- Galatians 3:22 Lit things
- Galatians 3:25 Lit child-conductor
- Galatians 3:28 Lit not male and female
- Galatians 3:29 Lit are Christ’s
- Galatians 3:29 Lit seed
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
