Stay on the Course of Faith – Galatians 3:15-25
3 (15) Brothers, I am speaking in terms of human contracts: even though it is only a covenant made by man, when it has been ratified, no one can ignore it or add conditions to it. (16) Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. He does not say, “And to your offsprings,” as referring to many, but as referring to one, “And to your offspring,” which is Christ. (17) Now this is what I mean: A covenant which was previously ratified by God cannot be canceled by the law which came four hundred and thirty years later, so as to nullify the promise—(18) for if the inheritance is by the law, it is no longer by promise. But God has granted it to Abraham by promise.
(19) What then is the purpose of the law? It was added because of the transgressions—until the offspring had come to whom the promise had been made—being instituted through angels by the hand of a mediator. (20) Now a mediator is not a representative of one party, but God is one.
(21) Is the law then in opposition to the promises of God? God forbid! for if a law had been given that was able to give life, then certainly righteousness would have been by the law. (22) But the Scripture has confined all things under the dominion of sin, so that what was promised, being received by faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. (23) But before the one in whom we place our faith came, we were held prisoner by the law, confined for the faith that was destined to be revealed. (24) So then, the law became our guardian for Christ, so that we might be justified by faith. (25) But now that the one in whom we place our faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
