Bible Strands
Galatians 3:19
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Galatian believers to resolve a theological tension immediately following his comparison of inheritance by promise versus inheritance by law. He poses a rhetorical question about the purpose of the law before explaining its provisional role relative to the Abrahamic promise.
The words — The Greek parabaseōn (transgressions) refers to specific acts of crossing a known boundary, and prosetethē (it was added) indicates a deliberate insertion rather than a foundational establishment.
The thread — The verse's description of angelic administration corresponds to Acts 7:53's account of the law received through angels, while its focus on the law's role in exposing wrongdoing mirrors the diagnostic function Paul outlines in Romans 7:7.
Why it lands — The text states that the law was inserted temporarily to address transgressions and was delivered through a mediated, angelic arrangement until the promised seed arrived. This requires the reader to recognize that the law's authority and duration are subordinate to the prior promise, not an alternative path to inheritance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Acts 7:53 you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”
- Romans 7:7 What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
- Hebrews 2:2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment,
- Galatians 3:16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.
- Romans 5:20 The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
- 1 Timothy 1:8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.
- Romans 4:15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.
- Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
- Acts 7:38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.
- Deuteronomy 5:5 At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said: