The two issues raised in the text are the promises of God to Abraham and the law, which came four ag hundred and thirty years afterwards. According to Paul, the law does not annual a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. Rather law was added because of transgression.
UNDERSTANDING THE LAW
Paul suddenly stops the flow of his argument and ask a question: what, then was the purpose of the law? (vig) Paul's brief reply to this question point to (1)the negative purpose of the law (2)the temporal from work for the law and (3)the mediated origin of the law
1. According to Paul, the law has a negative purpose: it was added because of transgression (v.is)
2 The temporal frame work for the law is clearly established by the words added..... Until seed to whom the Promise.referred. had come (v19).the word added. implies that the law was not a central theme In God 's redemptive plan ; it wassupplementary and secondary to the ending covenant made with Abraham (gla.3v23_25;4v1 -4)
3.Paul designates the origin of the law in his statement that the law was put into effect through angle by a mediator (v.19). he (Paul) pointed to the well known Jewish tradition that God gave the law through the agency of angels as well as by a mediator namely Moses. (Deut.33v2 ;ps 68v17 ;act 7v53 ; Heb eb 2v2.
Till i come your way next week ensure a good understanding of the law and act accordingly.
Bro.Enigbokan Omosehin
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