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- Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case.
- The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.
- What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.
- For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
- What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator.
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- Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.
- Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ.
- What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.
- For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
- Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
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- A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.
- Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
- But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
- Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.
- So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
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- Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.
- Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.
- But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
- But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.
- Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
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- Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
- You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,
- for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
- There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
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- But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
- For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
- For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
- There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.
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