Galatians 3:19
What does Galatians 3:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 3:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 3:19 means
Paul anticipates the objection and explains the law’s purpose. It was added because of transgressions—both to expose sin and to restrain it—until the coming of the promised seed. Thus, the law was temporary and preparatory. He also notes it was ordained through angels and given through a mediator, underscoring its mediated, indirect character. This contrasts with the immediacy of God’s promise to Abraham. The law, then, is not the pathway to life but a caretaker arrangement that highlights human sinfulness and points forward to Christ, the seed to whom the promise was made.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949What then is the law? It was an addition made because of sin, till the coming of the seed to whom the undertaking had been given; and it was ordered through angels by the hand of a go-between.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Why, then, the law? on account of the transgressions it was added, till the seed might come to which the promise hath been made, having been set in order through messengers in the hand of a mediator--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Why then the law? It was added for the sake of transgressions, until the seed came to whom the promise was made, ordained through angels in [the] hand of a mediator.
Context
After proving that inheritance is by promise, not law (verses 15–18), Paul addresses the role of the law (verses 19–20). He shows it had a specific, time-bound function: it was added because of sins and served only until the seed came. Its mediated delivery suggests a status different from the direct promise. In verse 20, Paul will further emphasize the contrast by noting that a mediator implies multiple parties, whereas God is one—again magnifying the unity and directness of the promise. Verses 21–22 will then deny any conflict between law and promise, clarifying their distinct purposes.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 15:22
If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin.
- Hebrews 2:5
For not unto angels did he subject the world to come, whereof we speak.
- Romans 3:19
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:
- Exodus 24:1
And he said unto Moses, Come up unto Jehovah, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off:
- Galatians 4:1
But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all;
- Galatians 3:21
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law.
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