Galatians 3:19 – “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.”

Extended Explanation

Paul has been making a strong case that salvation does not come through the law but through faith in God’s promise. Now, in this verse, he answers an important question: If salvation comes through faith, why was the law given in the first place?

Paul explains that the law was added because of transgressions—meaning, it was given to reveal sin and show people their need for a Savior. The law was never meant to be the way to righteousness; instead, it exposed sin so that people would realize their need for God’s grace.

However, the law was temporary—it was given until the Seed (Jesus) came. This means that the law was part of God’s plan, but it was never the final solution. The real answer to sin is found in Jesus Christ, the promised Seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16).

Paul also mentions that the law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator (Moses). This highlights the difference between the law and the promise. The law was given through intermediaries, while the promise of salvation through Christ was given directly by God.

Historical Context

In Paul’s time, many Jewish believers viewed the law of Moses as the foundation of their relationship with God. They believed that following the law was essential for righteousness. Even after Jesus came, some false teachers in Galatia were telling Gentile believers that they needed to obey the law in order to be saved.

Paul is refuting this idea by explaining that the law was never meant to replace God’s promise to Abraham. Instead, it was given for a specific purpose—to reveal sin and prepare the way for Christ.

The idea that the law was given through angels and Moses comes from Jewish tradition. While Exodus 19-20 describes God giving the law to Moses on Mount Sinai, later passages (such as Deuteronomy 33:2 and Acts 7:53) mention that angels played a role in delivering it. This shows that the law was important, but it was still a temporary system, pointing forward to Jesus.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several important truths about the purpose of the law and its relationship to God’s promise:

1. The law reveals sin. People often think of the law as a way to earn righteousness, but Paul says its true purpose was to show us how sinful we are (Romans 3:20).
2. The law was temporary. It was never meant to provide salvation—only to point people toward Jesus, the true fulfillment of God’s promise.
3. Salvation was always God’s plan. The law was not a “backup plan.” It was part of God’s purpose to lead people to Christ.
4. The promise is greater than the law. The law required a mediator (Moses), but God’s promise of salvation came directly from Him through Jesus.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s wording in this verse is carefully structured to contrast the law and the promise:

• “Why, then, was the law given at all?” – Paul is anticipating an objection and answering it directly.
• “It was added because of transgressions” – This phrase explains the purpose of the law: not to save, but to reveal sin.
• “Until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.” – This shows that the law was temporary. It was preparing the way for Christ.
• “The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator.” – This highlights that the law was indirect, while the promise was directly from God.

Paul is making it clear that the law served a purpose, but it was never meant to bring salvation. That comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.

Biblical Cross-References

• Romans 3:20 – “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” (The law reveals sin but does not save.)
• Romans 5:20 – “The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.” (The law showed people how sinful they were.)
• Galatians 3:24 – “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” (The law’s role was temporary—it pointed to Jesus.)
• Acts 7:53 – “You who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” (A reference to angels giving the law, confirming what Paul says.)
• Hebrews 8:6 – “But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.” (Jesus’ covenant is greater than the law.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Many people today still struggle with the idea that they need to follow religious rules to earn God’s approval. Some believe that obeying commandments, rituals, or traditions makes them right with God. But Paul reminds us that the law was never meant to save us—it was meant to show us our need for Jesus.

For Christians today, this means:

• We do not rely on the law for salvation. Jesus has already fulfilled the law for us (Matthew 5:17).
• The law still has value—it shows us our need for Christ. But it does not save us; only Jesus does.
• Faith in Christ is what matters, not legalistic rule-keeping. We follow Jesus, not religious regulations, to be made right with God.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is shown in His desire to rescue us from sin. The law was not given to condemn people but to lead them to Jesus.

If God had not given the law, people might not have realized their deep need for a Savior. But by showing us how far we fall short, the law directs us to God’s grace through Christ.

This verse also shows that God does not change His mind. He did not give the law as a way to replace faith—He always intended for salvation to come through Jesus. His love is constant, and His plan has never changed.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse points directly to Jesus as the fulfillment of the law and the promised Seed of Abraham.

• Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly. He did what no one else could do—He obeyed God completely (Matthew 5:17).
• Jesus took the punishment that the law demanded. The law revealed sin, but Jesus took that sin upon Himself (Galatians 3:13).
• Jesus replaced the old system with something better. Now, instead of relying on the law, we rely on Him (Hebrews 8:6).

Paul is making it clear that Jesus is the answer to the problem of sin—not the law.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does this verse teach about the purpose of the law?
2. How does this verse challenge the idea that people can be saved by following rules?
3. Why is it important that the law was only temporary and pointed to Christ?
4. How does knowing that salvation is by faith and not by law change your relationship with God?
5. How can you explain to others that Christianity is not about keeping rules but about trusting in Jesus?