Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Galatians 3:19 - 3:19
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
19–22. The true place and purpose of the Law. It was subordinate to the promise, and preparatory, by developing the sense of sin
(Gal 3:19) (If the inheritance is by the Promise, not by the Law) What in that case is the essential character of the Law? It was added for the sake of the transgressions of it (i.e. it was to show the tendency of human nature), and was to last only until the Seed (Christ) should come, to Whom (as we saw) the promise has been made, being appointed (on God’s side) by the means of angels and (on man’s side) received in the hands of a mediator (Moses), (Gal 3:20) But (so far from a mediator being a good thing) a mediator suggests a lack of unity, while God is Unity itself. What requires a mediator therefore does not wholly correspond to God’s nature, (Gal 3:21) Is the Law therefore against the many promises that God has given? God forbid (this would imply a contradiction in God Himself). As law nothing can be better, for if a law had ever been given which could have made men live, righteousness would indeed have been in the Law. (Gal 3:22) But (so far is it from bringing righteousness that) the scripture in the passage already quoted enclosed all the results of the Law under sin, in order that the promise to Abraham should, as a result of faith in Jesus Christ, be given to those who have faith, the Law thus ultimately not being opposed to the promises, but actually securing their fulfilment.