Galatians 3:19-22
September 25, 2005
3:19 Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the descendant to whom the promise had been made. It was administered through angels by an intermediary. 3:20 Now an intermediary is not for one party alone, but God is one. 3:21 Is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 3:22 But the scripture imprisoned everything and everyone under sin so that the promise could be given–because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ–to those who believe.
Paul continues to talk about the Jewish law. He now deals with the “why” of the law, saying that it was given by God because his beloved human creations had been badly screwing up. His goal for His people was for them to be righteous, but the law was not to be the vehicle to righteousness for them. That would come through the incarnation of Himself as Jesus Christ at the proper time.
It’s good also to remember that righteousness basically means holiness, a condition fit for fellowship with a holy God. For that we need an intermediary to cover our sin in the presence of God, and that intemediary is Jesus Christ. -sdg-
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