Galatians 3:19 - Then why is there the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
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What does "Galatians 3:19" mean?
Galatians 3:19 is a complex verse addressing the role and purpose of the Law of Moses in relation to God's promise to Abraham. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:
"Then why is there the law?" This is a crucial question. Paul is responding to a perceived problem: If justification comes by faith, as he argues in the preceding verses, what was the point of God giving the Law? The "then why" suggests some people were raising doubts and confusion that the Law was not actually relevant or necessary.
"It was added because of transgressions..." Paul states that the Law was "added," meaning it came after the promise to Abraham. Its purpose wasn't to nullify or supersede the promise, but to address something else. The phrase "because of transgressions" has two main interpretations:
To define transgressions: The law made sin clear. Before the Law, people transgressed, but they may not have been fully aware of the specifics of what constituted sin. The Law defined sin, revealing the full extent of humanity's shortcomings. It acted as a "mirror," showing people how far they fell short of God's standards. (Romans 3:20, 7:7)
To restrain transgressions: The Law served as a deterrent. The threats of punishment and the detailed rules and ordinances added a constraint upon human behavior, serving to limit transgressions.
It is important to note that it cannot mean to 'atone for' transgressions because that contradicts Paul's argument that justification comes through faith, not the law.
"...until the offspring should come to whom the promise has been made." This is a key temporal limitation. The Law was not intended to be permanent. It had a specific duration: "until the offspring should come." This "offspring" is identified in Galatians 3:16 as Christ. The Law had a temporary purpose, serving its function until the arrival of Jesus, the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. After Jesus's arrival, the Law's primary purpose was fulfilled.
"It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator." This highlights the indirect way in which the Law was given:
"through angels": The Old Testament alludes to angels being involved in giving the Law at Mount Sinai (Acts 7:53; Hebrews 2:2). This underscores the Law's significance and authority, but it also indirectly suggests that the Law isn't the most direct expression of God's will. It came through intermediaries.
"by the hand of a mediator": Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant (the Law). He stood between God and the people of Israel, receiving and delivering the Law. Again, this highlights the indirect nature of the Law. It requires a mediator, suggesting it doesn't offer the same direct access to God that faith in Christ does.
In summary, Galatians 3:19 argues that the Law of Moses:
Was added after the promise to Abraham.
Was given to define or restrain transgressions, not to provide a means of justification.
Had a limited time frame: it was in effect "until Christ" came.
Was mediated through angels and Moses, an indirect means of divine communication.
Paul's point is that the Law served a crucial, but temporary, purpose. It exposed sin and prepared the way for Christ, but it cannot justify people. Justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.
Galatians 3:19 - Then why is there the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
What does "Galatians 3:19" mean?
Galatians 3:19 is a complex verse addressing the role and purpose of the Law of Moses in relation to God's promise to Abraham. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:
"Then why is there the law?" This is a crucial question. Paul is responding to a perceived problem: If justification comes by faith, as he argues in the preceding verses, what was the point of God giving the Law? The "then why" suggests some people were raising doubts and confusion that the Law was not actually relevant or necessary.
"It was added because of transgressions..." Paul states that the Law was "added," meaning it came after the promise to Abraham. Its purpose wasn't to nullify or supersede the promise, but to address something else. The phrase "because of transgressions" has two main interpretations:
To define transgressions: The law made sin clear. Before the Law, people transgressed, but they may not have been fully aware of the specifics of what constituted sin. The Law defined sin, revealing the full extent of humanity's shortcomings. It acted as a "mirror," showing people how far they fell short of God's standards. (Romans 3:20, 7:7)
To restrain transgressions: The Law served as a deterrent. The threats of punishment and the detailed rules and ordinances added a constraint upon human behavior, serving to limit transgressions.
It is important to note that it cannot mean to 'atone for' transgressions because that contradicts Paul's argument that justification comes through faith, not the law.
"...until the offspring should come to whom the promise has been made." This is a key temporal limitation. The Law was not intended to be permanent. It had a specific duration: "until the offspring should come." This "offspring" is identified in Galatians 3:16 as Christ. The Law had a temporary purpose, serving its function until the arrival of Jesus, the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. After Jesus's arrival, the Law's primary purpose was fulfilled.
"It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator." This highlights the indirect way in which the Law was given:
"through angels": The Old Testament alludes to angels being involved in giving the Law at Mount Sinai (Acts 7:53; Hebrews 2:2). This underscores the Law's significance and authority, but it also indirectly suggests that the Law isn't the most direct expression of God's will. It came through intermediaries.
"by the hand of a mediator": Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant (the Law). He stood between God and the people of Israel, receiving and delivering the Law. Again, this highlights the indirect nature of the Law. It requires a mediator, suggesting it doesn't offer the same direct access to God that faith in Christ does.
In summary, Galatians 3:19 argues that the Law of Moses:
Was added after the promise to Abraham.
Was given to define or restrain transgressions, not to provide a means of justification.
Had a limited time frame: it was in effect "until Christ" came.
Was mediated through angels and Moses, an indirect means of divine communication.
Paul's point is that the Law served a crucial, but temporary, purpose. It exposed sin and prepared the way for Christ, but it cannot justify people. Justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.