Free Bible Commentary
“Galatians 3:19-22”
Categories: Galatians“Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”
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In today’s verses, Paul speaks to the inferiority of the Law of Moses in comparison with the promise (covenant) that God made with Abraham, and that found its fulfillment in Christ Jesus. If there had ever been a law that was able to “impart life”, then it most surely would have been the Law of Moses (verse 21). But, that is not what law was designed to do. Law only condemns someone when they violate it, and leaves them in need of pardon, forgiveness and restoration. Even in our secular legal system, when we violate the law, we can pay the proper penalty or serve the associated time, but the law still cannot clear our name, and we remain on the books as a “law breaker”.
The Law is inferior to faith because it was “added” to the covenant and therefore supplementary to it. The law was added “because of transgressions”. It was provided to reveal what sin is (Romans 3:20), and to be a deterrent for sin (1 Timothy 1:9-10). The Law of Moses is also inferior because it was intended, from the beginning, to be a temporary measure. It was added “until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.” Since Christ has been identified as “the Seed” (verse 16), the duration of the Law of Moses was from its enactment by God on Mount Sinai, until Christ fulfilled it and ended it (Romans 10:4) by keeping it perfectly and dying for everyone who could not.
The Law is inferior, as well, because it was “ordained through angels” (Deuteronomy 33:2; Acts 7:38, 53; Hebrews 2:2-3), and given by means of a mediator (Moses). God conveyed His covenant directly to Abraham, whereas, the Law was given to Israel through two layers of separation. “God is one” (verse 20). He acted alone in granting His promise and covenant to Abraham unconditionally, whereas, there were two conflicting parties (God and Israel) involved in the giving and receiving of the Law of Moses through mediation.
“The Scripture has shut up everyone under sin” (verse 22). The Law did not grant life and freedom, but confined everyone to the death and prison of their sins. Paul wrote similarly in Romans 3:19, “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God.” But God did so only to show people that everyone needs His grace, mercy and forgiveness through faith. He extended these blessings when he gave Christ Jesus “to those who believe”.
Please read Galatians 3:23-29 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
-Louie Taylor
