Galatians 3:19-25

The Law and the Promise

19 Why then the law? g It was added because of transgressions, h until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was i put in place through angels j by an intermediary. 20 Now k an intermediary implies more than one, but l God is one.

21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For m if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture n imprisoned everything under sin, so that o the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given p to those who believe.

23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, q imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, r the law was our s guardian until Christ came, t in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,

  1. Cross References
    Romans 4:15
    For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
  2. Cross References
    Galatians 3:16
    Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, "And to offsprings," referring to many, but referring to one, "And to your offspring," who is Christ.
  3. Cross References
    Acts 7:53
    You who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.
    Hebrews 2:2
    For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution.
  4. Cross References
    Exodus 20:19
    And said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we wil...
    Exodus 20:21 - 22
    The people stood far off, while Moses drew near...
    Deuteronomy 5:5
    While I stood between the Lord and you at that ...
    Deuteronomy 5:22 - 23
    These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly...
    Deuteronomy 5:27
    Go near and hear all that the Lord our God will...
    Deuteronomy 5:31
    But you, stand here by me, and I will tell you ...
    Acts 7:38
    This is the one who was in the congregation in ...
  5. Cross References
    1 Timothy 2:5
    For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
    Hebrews 8:6
    But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
    Hebrews 9:15
    Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
    Hebrews 12:24
    And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
    Hebrews 6:17
    So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath.
  6. Cross References
    Romans 3:30
    Since God is one - who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
  7. Cross References
    Galatians 2:21
    I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
  8. Cross References
    Romans 11:32
    For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
    Romans 3:9
    What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin.
  9. Cross References
    Romans 4:16
    That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring - not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.
  10. Cross References
    Acts 10:43
    To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
  11. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:5
    Who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
  12. Cross References
    Matthew 5:17
    Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
    Romans 10:4
    For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
    Colossians 2:17
    These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
    Hebrews 9:9 - 10
    (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper.
  13. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:15
    For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
  14. Cross References
    Galatians 3:11
    Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith.
    Galatians 2:16
    Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.