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Galatians 3:19–20

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THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

19Why, 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 20Now a mediator is not just for one person alone, but God is one.d

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Footnotes

  1. AOr because of transgressions

Cross references

  1. aRm 4:15; 5:20
  2. bGn 16:7; Mt 13:49; Lk 1:11; Ac 5:19; Rv 14:6
  3. cHeb 8:6
  4. dDt 6:4

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

NLTNew Living Translation

Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Why then the law? It was added on account of transgressions, until the descendant should come to whom it had been promised, having been ordered through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now the mediator is not for one, but God is one.

KJV 1900King James Version

Wherefore 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. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.