GOD'S WORD Translation GW
New International Version NIV
19 What, then, is the purpose of the laws given to Moses? They were added to identify what wrongdoing is. Moses' laws did this until the descendant to whom the promise was given came. It was put into effect through angels, using a mediator.
19
Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator.
20 A mediator is not used when there is only one person involved, and God has acted on his own.
20
A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.
21 Does this mean, then, that the laws given to Moses contradict God's promises? That's unthinkable! If those laws could give us life, then certainly we would receive God's approval because we obeyed them.
21
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.
22 But Scripture states that the whole world is controlled by the power of sin. Therefore, a promise based on faith in Jesus Christ could be given to those who believe.
22
But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
23 We were kept under control by Moses' laws until this faith came. We were under their control until this faith which was about to come would be revealed.
23
Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.
24 Before Christ came, Moses' laws served as our guardian. Christ came so that we could receive God's approval by faith.
24
So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.
25 But now that this faith has come, we are no longer under the control of a guardian.
25
Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.