Galatians 3:19

Wherefore then

The answer is sixfold:

  • (1) The law was added because of transgressions, i.e. to give to sin the character of transgression.
  • (a) Men had been sinning before Moses, but in the absence of law their sins were not put to their account. Romans 5:13. The law gave to sin the character of "transgression," i.e. of personal guilt. (b) Also, since men not only continued to transgress after the law was given, but were provoked to transgress by the very law that forbade it Romans 7:8, the law conclusively proved the inveterate sinfulness of man's nature Romans 7:11-13.
  • (2) The law, therefore, "concluded all under sin" Romans 3:19,20,23.
  • (3) The law was an ad interim dealing, "till the seed should come". Galatians 3:19.
  • (4) The law shut sinful man up to faith as the only avenue of escape. Galatians 3:23.
  • (5) The law was to the Jews what the pedagogue was in a Greek household, a ruler of children in their minority, and it had this character "unto" i.e. until Christ Galatians 3:24.
  • (6) Christ having come, the believer is no longer under the pedagogue. Galatians 3:25

because of for the sake, i.e. in order that sin might be made manifest as transgression. See, Romans 4:15; 5:20; 7:7,13.

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