3:15 Brothers and sisters, 1 I offer an example from everyday life: 2 When a covenant 3 has been ratified, 4 even though it is only a human contract, no one can set it aside or add anything to it. 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. 5 Scripture 6 does not say, “and to the descendants,” 7 referring to many, but “and to your descendant,” 8 referring to one, who is Christ. 3:17 What I am saying is this: The law that came four hundred thirty years later does not cancel a covenant previously ratified by God, 9 so as to invalidate the promise. 3:18 For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise, but God graciously gave 10 it to Abraham through the promise.
3:19 Why then was the law given? 11 It was added 12 because of transgressions, 13 until the arrival of the descendant 14 to whom the promise had been made. It was administered 15 through angels by an intermediary. 16 3:20 Now an intermediary is not for one party alone, but God is one. 17 3:21 Is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God? 18 Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 19 3:22 But the scripture imprisoned 20 everything and everyone 21 under sin so that the promise could be given – because of the faithfulness 22 of Jesus Christ – to those who believe.
3:23 Now before faith 23 came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners 24 until the coming faith would be revealed. 3:24 Thus the law had become our guardian 25 until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous 26 by faith. 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 27 3:26 For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. 28 3:27 For all of you who 29 were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave 30 nor free, there is neither male nor female 31 – for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, 32 heirs according to the promise.