Galatians 3:19 Why then serves the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made… The law was never intended to be the means of conveying life. Its office was to bring home to men the necessity of seeking life elsewhere. It was subservient and preparatory to the gospel. The general reason for which it was given was "because of transgressions." 1. To restrain sin. As a curb. It holds men in check wherever it is known. Without some such restraint this earth would soon become a hell. 2. To reveal sin (Romans 7:7-9). The sediment at the bottom of a pool is there, but its existence does not become apparent until the pool is stirred. The chamber may be full of all that is unseemly and unsightly, but the fact is not known so long as darkness prevails. So the law lets in the light of God's truth upon man's evil heart. 3. To provoke sin (Romans 5:20). The very fact that fruit is forbidden makes it to be more desired. The heart chafes at restraint. Just as a barrier thrown across a stream causes it, however smooth and quiet before, to rage and fret against the new obstruction, if perchance it may sweep it away; so does the law, with its demands, warnings, threatenings, stir up the enmity of the heart, and provoke it to rebel against God. 4. To condemn sin. "the law, when it has once found a man, holds him fast in its grip. It has but two sentences — death or life. It reveals to man his own helpless misery, and leaves him in it. (Emilius Bayley, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore then serveth 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. |
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