Read & explore together
The Purpose of the Law
Paul explains the purpose of the law without letting it replace God’s earlier promise. He compares a confirmed covenant with the law, then shows how the law relates to sin, faith and Christ.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In this part of Galatians, Paul argues from a human covenant, then speaks about God’s promise to Abraham and his offspring, identified here as Christ. He asks why the law was given, whether it opposes God’s promises, and what changed when faith came.
Galatians 3:15–25Main takeaway
The law had a real but temporary role, while God’s promise remains effective and justification is by faith.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Promise comes firstPaul starts with an everyday example: once a covenant is confirmed, it is not cancelled or added to.
Explanation
Paul starts with an everyday example: once a covenant is confirmed, it is not cancelled or added to. He then applies that idea to God’s promises to Abraham and to his offspring, and says this offspring is Christ. The argument begins with the firmness of promise.
02The later law did not cancel the promisePaul says the law came four hundred and thirty years later than the covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ.
Explanation
Paul says the law came four hundred and thirty years later than the covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ. Because it came later, it could not annul the promise. If inheritance came by law, it would no longer come by promise, yet God granted it to Abraham by promise.
03Why the law was addedPaul asks why the law exists. He says it was added because of transgressions until the offspring came to whom the promise had been made.
Explanation
Paul asks why the law exists. He says it was added because of transgressions until the offspring came to whom the promise had been made. He also says it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator, then adds, “God is one.”
04What the law could and could not doThe law is not against God’s promises, but it could not make alive, so righteousness does not come from it.
Explanation
The law is not against God’s promises, but it could not make alive, so righteousness does not come from it. Scripture imprisoned all things under sin. Before faith came, people were kept in custody under the law. The law became a tutor to lead to Christ, but now faith has come.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Paul’s covenant example show about God’s promise?
Notice that a confirmed covenant is not cancelled or added to, then connect that with the promise to Abraham and his offspring.
02According to Paul, why was the law added, and for how long?
Read Paul’s direct answer and watch for both the reason and the word “until”.
03Which pictures does Paul use for the law before faith came?
Look for the words about imprisonment, custody and a tutor, and then the change in verse 25.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Galatians 3:15–25
15Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void or adds to it.
16Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring. He doesn’t say, “To descendants”, as of many, but as of one, “To your offspring”, which is Christ.
17Now I say this: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.
18For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.
19Then why is there the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
20Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one.
21Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law.
22But the Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.