Galatians 3:15-22

Holman Christian Standard Bible

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)