Additional Teachings

¹⁶ “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John.^(A) Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached,^(B) and everyone is forcing their way into it.

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law^(A) are under a curse,^(B) as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”^{[a](C) 11} Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God,^(D) because “the righteous will live by faith.”^{[b](E) 12} The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”^{[c](F) 13} Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law^(G) by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”^{[d](H) 14} He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus,^(I) so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.^(J)

The Law and the Promise

¹⁵ Brothers and sisters,^(K) 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.^(L) Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”^[e](M) meaning one person, who is Christ. ¹⁷ What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years^(N) 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;^(O) 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^(P) until the Seed^(Q) to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels^(R) and entrusted to a mediator.^{(S) 20} A mediator,^(T) however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

²¹ Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!^(U) For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.^{(V) 22} But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin,^(W) 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,^[f] we were held in custody^(X) under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.^{(Y) 24} So the law was our guardian until Christ came^(Z) that we might be justified by faith.^{(AA) 25} Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.^(AB)

¹⁴ having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,^(A) which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.^{(B) 15} And having disarmed the powers and authorities,^(C) he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them^(D) by the cross.^[a]

Freedom From Human Rules

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you^(E) by what you eat or drink,^(F) or with regard to a religious festival,^(G) a New Moon celebration^(H) or a Sabbath day.^{(I) 17} These are a shadow of the things that were to come;^(J) the reality, however, is found in Christ.

⁵ They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy^(A) and shadow^(B) of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned^(C) when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”^[a](D)

Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle

9 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.^{(A) 2} A tabernacle^(B) was set up. In its first room were the lampstand^(C) and the table^(D) with its consecrated bread;^(E) this was called the Holy Place.^{(F) 3} Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,^{(G) 4} which had the golden altar of incense^(H) and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.^(I) This ark contained the gold jar of manna,^(J) Aaron’s staff that had budded,^(K) and the stone tablets of the covenant.^{(L) 5} Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory,^(M) overshadowing the atonement cover.^(N) But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

⁶ When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly^(O) into the outer room to carry on their ministry. ⁷ But only the high priest entered^(P) the inner room,^(Q) and that only once a year,^(R) and never without blood,^(S) which he offered for himself^(T) and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.^{(U) 8} The Holy Spirit was showing^(V) by this that the way^(W) into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. ⁹ This is an illustration^(X) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered^(Y) were not able to clear the conscience^(Z) of the worshiper. ¹⁰ They are only a matter of food^(AA) and drink^(AB) and various ceremonial washings^(AC)—external regulations^(AD) applying until the time of the new order.

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

10 The law is only a shadow^(A) of the good things^(B) that are coming—not the realities themselves.^(C) For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect^(D) those who draw near to worship.^(E)