King James Version

What Does Galatians 3:19 Mean?

Galatians 3:19 in the King James Version says “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise wa...” — study this verse from Galatians chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Galatians 3:19 · KJV

Context

17

And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

18

For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

19

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.

20

Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

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, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

Read Galatians 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Paul anticipates an objection: 'Wherefore then serveth the law?' (ti oun ho nomos, τί οὖν ὁ νόμος)—if the Law cannot justify or inherit, what's its purpose? The answer: 'It was added because of transgressions' (tōn parabaseōn charin prosetethē, τῶν παραβάσεων χάριν προσετέθη). The phrase 'because of' (charin, χάριν) is ambiguous: 'for the sake of' could mean (1) to reveal/increase transgressions (Romans 5:20, 7:7-13) or (2) to restrain transgressions (1 Timothy 1:9-10). Both are true—the Law exposes sin and temporarily governs conduct.

The clause 'till the seed should come to whom the promise was made' (achris hou elthē to sperma hō epēngeltai, ἄχρις οὗ ἔλθῃ τὸ σπέρμα ᾧ ἐπήγγελται) reveals the Law's temporary nature. The conjunction achris hou (ἄχρις οὗ)—'until'—indicates the Law's time-limited function, ending when the Seed (Christ, v. 16) came. The promise was made to Christ; the Law was a temporary addendum until Christ arrived.

The phrase 'ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator' (diatageis di' angelōn en cheiri mesitou, διαταγεὶς δι' ἀγγέλων ἐν χειρὶ μεσίτου) indicates the Law's inferior mediation—given through angels (Acts 7:53, Hebrews 2:2) and a human mediator (Moses), unlike the Abrahamic promise spoken directly by God. The Law's indirect, temporary, inferior status contrasts with the promise's direct, permanent, superior status.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish tradition (reflected in Deuteronomy 33:2 LXX, Jubilees, Josephus, Acts 7:53, Hebrews 2:2) held that angels mediated the Law at Sinai, with Moses as the human mediator between God and Israel. Paul uses this tradition to argue the Law's inferiority: the promise came directly from God to Abraham; the Law came indirectly through angelic and human mediation. The Law's purpose was temporary and preparatory—revealing sin and restraining evil until Christ came. Once Christ arrived, the Law's custodial function ended (v. 24-25).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Law's purpose ('added because of transgressions') differ from justification? What does the Law reveal about sin and human inability?
  2. What is the significance of the Law being 'until the seed should come'? How does Christ's arrival fulfill and end the Law's custodial function?
  3. Why does Paul emphasize the Law's indirect mediation (angels, Moses) compared to the promise's direct communication from God? What does this reveal about their relative importance?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
Τί1 of 21

“Wherefore”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

οὖν2 of 21

“then”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ὁ3 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμος4 of 21

“serveth the law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

τῶν5 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παραβάσεων6 of 21

“transgressions”

G3847

violation

χάριν7 of 21

“because of”

G5484

through favor of, i.e., on account of

προσετέθη8 of 21

“It was added”

G4369

to place additionally, i.e., lay beside, annex, repeat

ἄχρις9 of 21

“till”

G891

(of time) until or (of place) up to

ᾧ10 of 21

“to whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἔλθῃ11 of 21

“should come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

τὸ12 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σπέρμα13 of 21

“the seed”

G4690

something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)

ᾧ14 of 21

“to whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐπήγγελται15 of 21

“the promise was made”

G1861

to announce upon (reflexively), i.e., (by implication) to engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself

διαταγεὶς16 of 21

“and it was ordained”

G1299

to arrange thoroughly, i.e., (specially) institute, prescribe, etc

δι'17 of 21

“by”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

ἀγγέλων18 of 21

“angels”

G32

compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

ἐν19 of 21

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

χειρὶ20 of 21

“the hand”

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

μεσίτου21 of 21

“of a mediator”

G3316

a go-between, i.e., (simply) an internunciator, or (by implication) a reconciler (intercessor)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Galatians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Galatians 3:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Galatians 3:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 7:53Romans 7:7-13Hebrews 2:2Galatians 3:161 Timothy 1:8-9Romans 5:20-21

Test Your Knowledge

Galatians 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGalatians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Galatians 3 with CommentaryAll Galatians ChaptersComplete Galatians QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes