19
Then what was the purpose of the law? It was added because of human sin. And it was supposed to control us until the promised Seed had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a go-between.
Reference
Greek: τοίνυν (toínyn)
truly now, i.e. accordingly
Hebrew: ʼăzay
at that time
Hebrew: mân
who or what (properly, interrogatively, hence, also indefinitely and relatively)
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: προτίθεμαι (protíthemai)
to place before, i.e. (for oneself) to exhibit; (to oneself) to propose (determine)
Hebrew: tsᵉbûw
properly, will; concretely, an affair (as a matter of determination)
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: νόμος (nómos)
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle)
Hebrew: tôwrâh
a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch
Hebrew: hêm
they (only used when emphatic)
Hebrew: gâlâl
a circumstance (as rolled around); only used adverbially, on account of
Greek: ἀνθρώπινος (anthrṓpinos)
human
Greek: ἁμάρτημα (hamártēma)
a sin (properly concrete)
Hebrew: chăṭîy
an offence
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Hebrew: hêm
they (only used when emphatic)
Greek: ἡμεῖς (hēmeîs)
we (only used when emphatic)
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: σπορά (sporá)
a sowing, i.e. (by implication) parentage
Hebrew: zᵉraʻ
posterity
Greek: ἐνίστημι (enístēmi)
to place on hand, i.e. (reflexively) impend, (participle) be instant
Hebrew: mᵉṭâʼ
to arrive, extend or happen
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: νόμος (nómos)
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle)
Hebrew: tôwrâh
a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch
Hebrew: hâdâh
to stretch forth the hand
Hebrew: ʼĕlôhîym
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
Hebrew: ʻim
{adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then usually unrepresented in English)}
Hebrew: ʼechâd
properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Greek: ἄπειμι (ápeimi)
to go away
Hebrew: ʼârach
to travel
Greek: μεταξύ (metaxý)
betwixt (of place or person); (of time) as adjective, intervening, or (by implication) adjoining
Covenant
Galatians 3:16
Parallel theme
Hebrews 2:5
Sin
Acts 7:38
John 15:22
Word
Acts 7:53
Hebrews 2:2
Romans 4:15
Romans 2:13
Deuteronomy 5:5
John 1:17
Verse Explanation
Paul asks why the law was given and explains that it was added because of transgressions until the promised offspring came, and that it was delivered through angels by the hand of a mediator, presenting the law as temporary and serving a specific purpose within God's larger plan.
History
c. 15th–13th century BC, traditional dating: The giving of the Mosaic law is associated with Israel's covenant at Sinai after the Exodus.