Galatians 3:19-23 Wherefore then served 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. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
‘Till the seed should come to whom the promise was made.’ The law was to be in force only until Christ came (Matt. 11:13; Luke 16:16; 2Cor. 3:6-14; Heb. 7:28; 9:9-10). There are fifteen statements of time regarding the Law: Till the seed should come (3:19). Unto the revelation of faith (3:23). Unto Christ (3:24). No longer under a schoolmaster (3:25). Until the time appointed (4:2-5). Till all be fulfilled (Matt. 5:17-18). Until John (Matt. 11:13; Luke 16:16). Christ, the end of the law (Rom. 10:4). To be done away (2Cor. 3:7-14). Even so it is now (4:21-31). Since the law (Heb. 7:28). Until the reformation (Heb. 9:10). Nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14-17). But now (Eph. 2:13-16). After that (Christ’s sacrifice, Heb. 8:13; 9:1-28-16)
With such statements of time as to when the law of Moses was to be done away and abolished there should be no further question regarding our NOT being under it now.
‘Mediator’ [Greek: mesites] mediator, Moses (John 1:17; Deut. 5:1-33). Christ is the mediator of the new covenant (1Tim. 2:5; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). This again is proof that Christ and God are separate Persons, for a mediator is a middle person mediating between TWO other persons who are at enmity with each other.
‘God is one’ – the same God for both Jews and Gentiles (Eph. 4:5-6; 1Tim. 2:5; Rom. 3:30). Moses was a mediator of the Jews only. They were only one party to the Abrahamic covenant. Christ is the mediator of Gentiles also, or of all parties to the Abrahamic contract.
‘Is the law then against the promises of God?’ If the law could bring righteousness and life, then justification would be by the law. Scriptures of the prophets as well as the law declare all to be sinners (Rom. 11:32), and imprisoned under sentence of death until the sentence should be executed upon them; that the promise of life by faith might be given to them that believe when Christ paid their penalty (3:22-23).
Living the Word 