Purpose of the Law

19 What purpose then does the law serve? zIt was added because of transgressions, till the aSeed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was bappointed through angels by the hand cof a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, dbut God is one.

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined eall under sin, fthat the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, 6kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore gthe law was our 7tutor to bring us to Christ, hthat we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Sons and Heirs

26 For you iare all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For jas many of you as were baptized into Christ khave put on Christ. 28 lThere is neither Jew nor Greek, mthere is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all none in Christ Jesus. 29 And oif you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s pseed, and qheirs according to the promise.

4 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, awere in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But bwhen the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, cborn 1 dof a woman, eborn under the law, 5 fto redeem those who were under the law, gthat we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth hthe Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 2“Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, iand if a son, then an heir 3of God 4through Christ.

Fears for the Church

8 But then, indeed, jwhen you did not know God, kyou served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now lafter you have known God, or rather are known by God, mhow is it that you turn again to nthe weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 oYou observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, plest I have labored for you in vain.

12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. qYou have not injured me at all. 13 You know that rbecause of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me sas an 5angel of God, teven as Christ Jesus. 15 6What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

17 They uzealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. 19 vMy little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.