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17 This is what I am saying: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, cannot invalidate a covenant that had been previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 Obviously, if the inheritance comes from the Law, it no longer comes from the promise. However, God bestowed it on Abraham through a promise.

19 The Purpose of the Law. Why then? It was added because of transgressions[a] until the descendant appeared to whom the promise had been made, and it was promulgated by angels through an intermediary.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 3:19 Because of transgressions: i.e., in order that transgressions might be brought to light. Where there is no Law, there is no transgression (see Rom 5:13; 7:7).

17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years(A) later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise;(B) but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions(C) until the Seed(D) to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels(E) and entrusted to a mediator.(F)

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