Galatians 3:19
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
19 [a]Why, then, the law? It was added for transgressions, until the descendant[b] came to whom the promise had been made; it was promulgated by angels at the hand of a mediator.(A)
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- 3:19–22 A digression: if the Mosaic law, then, does not save or bring life, why was it given? Elsewhere, Paul says the law served to show what sin is (Rom 3:20; 7:7–8). Here the further implication is that the law in effect served to produce transgressions. Moreover, it was received at second hand by angels, through a mediator, not directly from God (Gal 3:19). The law does not, however, oppose God’s purposes, for it carries out its function (Gal 3:22), so that righteousness comes by faith and promise, not by human works of the law.
- 3:19 The descendant: Christ (Gal 3:16). By angels: Dt 33:2–4 stressed their presence as enhancing the importance of the law; Paul uses their role to diminish its significance (cf. Acts 7:38, 53). A mediator: Moses. But in a covenant of promise, where all depends on the one God, no mediator is needed (Gal 3:20).
Galatians 3:19
New International Version
19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions(A) until the Seed(B) to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels(C) and entrusted to a mediator.(D)
Hebrews 2:2
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
2 For if the word announced through angels proved firm, and every transgression and disobedience received its just recompense,(A)
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Hebrews 2:2
New International Version
2 For since the message spoken(A) through angels(B) was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,(C)
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