Galatians 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life… Up to this point the apostle has contrasted the promise made to Abraham, the fulfilment of which was in the gospel, with the law of Moses in these particulars: — 1. The promise was made first four hundred and thirty years before the giving of the law on Sinai, and that which is given afterwards cannot weaken the older covenant. 2. The covenant of promise was one of blessing to mankind, the law regarded transgressions. 3. The promise is absolute and without limitation of time; the blessing will be for ever, the law is given until the coming of the Messiah. 4. The promise was made by God Himself, without the intervention of others. The law was ordained by the ministry of angels. 5. The promise was made without any mediator, the law was given to the people by the hands of Moses. The law here spoken of by the apostle is the ceremonial law; not that of the Decalogue; not the moral law, which was reimposed, but not for the first time given at Sinai. (W. Denton, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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