Galatians 3:19 Why then serves the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made… Had the law then no purpose? Yes; but its very purpose, its character and history, betray its inferiority to the dispensation of grace. 1. Instead of justifying, it condemns; instead of giving life, it kills; it was added to reveal and multiply, transgressions. 2. It was but temporary; when the seed came to whom the promise was given, it was annulled. 3. It did not come direct from God to man. There was a double interposition, a twofold mediation, between the giver and the recipient. There were the angels, who administered it as God's instruments; there was Moses (or the high priest) who delivered it to man. 4. As follows from the idea of mediation, it was of the nature of a contract, whereas the promise, proceeding from the sole fiat of God, is unconditional and unchangeable, (Bishop Lightfoot.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. |
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