15 Brothers, I’m using a human illustration.[a] No one sets aside or makes additions to even a human covenant[b] that has been ratified. 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,(A)[c] who is Christ. 17 And I say this: The law, which came 430 years later,(B) does not revoke a covenant that was previously ratified by God[d] and cancel the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.

The Purpose of the Law

19 Why then was the law given?(C) It was added because of transgressions 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 for just one person, but God is one.(F) 21 Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly be by the law. 22 But the Scripture has imprisoned everything under sin’s power,[e](G) so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ(H) might be given 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[f] 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 you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Sons and Heirs

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ like a garment.(N) 28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free,(O) male or female;(P) for 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)

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Notas al pie

  1. Galatians 3:15 Lit I speak according to man
  2. Galatians 3:15 Or will, or testament
  3. Galatians 3:16 Gn 12:7; 13:15; 17:8; 24:7
  4. Galatians 3:17 Other mss add in Christ
  5. Galatians 3:22 Lit under sin
  6. Galatians 3:24 The word translated guardian in vv. 24-25 is different from the word in Gl 4:2. In our culture, we do not have a slave who takes a child to and from school, protecting the child from harm or corruption. In Gk the word paidogogos described such a slave. This slave was not a teacher.

The Law and the Promise

15 Brothers and sisters,(A) let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.(B) Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”[a](C) meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years(D) later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise;(E) but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

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

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

Children of God

23 Before the coming of this faith,[b] we were held in custody(N) under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.(O) 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came(P) that we might be justified by faith.(Q) 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.(R)

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God(S) through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ(T) have clothed yourselves with Christ.(U) 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,(V) nor is there male and female,(W) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.(X) 29 If you belong to Christ,(Y) then you are Abraham’s seed,(Z) and heirs(AA) according to the promise.(AB)

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Notas al pie

  1. Galatians 3:16 Gen. 12:7; 13:15; 24:7
  2. Galatians 3:23 Or through the faithfulness of Jesus … 23 Before faith came