16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed,V,at who is Christ. 17 My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later,au does not invalidate a covenant previously established by GodW and thus cancel the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise; but God has graciously given it to Abraham through the promise.

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

19 Why, then, was the law given?a It was added for the sake of transgressionsA until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angelsb by means of a mediator.c 20 Now a mediator is not just for one person alone, but God is one.d 21 Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if the law had been granted with the ability to give life, then righteousness would certainly be on the basis of the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin’s power,B,e so that the promise might be given on the basis of faithf in Jesus Christ to those who believe.g