Galatians 3:21

The Purpose of the Law

20A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one.21Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.22But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.

  • Scripture
  • Sermons
  • Commentary
Berean Standard Bible
Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.
American Standard Version (1901)
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law.
Bible in Basic English
Is the law then against the words of God? in no way; because if there had been a law which was able to give life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.
Douay-Rheims 1899
Was the law then against the promises of God? God forbid. For if there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law.
Free Bible Version
So does the law work against God's promises? Of course not! For if there was a law that could give life, then we could be made right by keeping it.
Geneva Bible 1599
Is the Lawe then against the promises of God? God forbid: For if there had bene a Lawe giuen which coulde haue giuen life, surely righteousnes should haue bene by the Lawe.
King James (Authorized) Version
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.
Plain English Version
But somebody might say, “God did something wrong. He gave a law that goes against what he promised.” That’s not right. No way. You see, if a law can give us real life, God would give us that law, and we would follow it and become good people. But no law can do that.
Translation for Translators
If someone should ask, “When God gave his laws to Moses long after he told Abraham what he was promising to give to him, was he changing his mind?” I would reply that God certainly did not change his mind when he did that! If God had given a law that could enable people to live eternally, then it actually would be because of people obeying that law that God would erase the record of their sins.
Unlocked Literal Bible
So is the law against the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
Noah Webster Bible
Is the law then against the promises of God? By no means: for if there had been a law given which could give life, verily righteousness would have been by the law.
World English Bible
Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law.
Young's Literal Translation
the law, then, [is] against the promises of God? — let it not be! for if a law was given that was able to make alive, truly by law there would have been the righteousness,