Study Desk

^(x)Brethren, ^(y)I speak ^[x]in terms of human relations: ^(z)even though it is only a man's ^[y]covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds ^[z]conditions to it.

Now the promises were spoken ^(aa)to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "^(ab)And to your seed," that is, Christ.

What I am saying is this: the Law, which came ^(ac)four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.

For ^(ad)if the inheritance is ^[aa]based on law, it is no longer ^[ab]based on a promise; but ^(ae)God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

^(af)Why the Law then? It was added ^[ac]because of transgressions, having been ^(ag)ordained through angels ^(ah)by the ^[ad]agency of a mediator, until ^(ai)the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.

Now ^(aj)a mediator is not ^[ae]for one party only; whereas God is only one.

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? ^(ak)May it never be! For ^(al)if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness ^[af]would indeed have been ^[ag]based on law.

But the Scripture has ^(am)shut up ^[ah]everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.