Galatians 3:15-25

New American Standard Bible

Intent of the Law

^15 (A)Brothers and sisters, ^(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 one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, “^(E)And to your seed,” that is, Christ. ¹⁷ What I am saying is this: the Law, which came ^(F)430 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 on account of the ^[f]violations, having been ^(J)ordered through angels ^(K)at the hand of a ^[g]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; but God is only one. ²¹ Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? ^[i](N)Far from it! For ^(O)if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness ^[j]would indeed have been ^[k]based on law. ²² But the Scripture has ^(P)confined ^[l]everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

²³ But before faith came, ^[m]we were kept in custody under the Law, ^(Q)being confined for the faith that was destined to be revealed. ²⁴ Therefore the Law has become our ^[n](R)guardian 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 ^[o](T)guardian.