1092. The Law of Gal. 3:19.- by H. M. S.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 12, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 50.

1092. The Law of Gal. 3:19.—

By H. M. S.

The law is that which was “added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made.” Now, (1) the word “added” is from the Greek prostitheemi, defined by Strong, “to place additionally, i. e., to lay beside, annex, repeat.” It is rendered “spoken” in Heb. 12:19, having direct reference to the Ten Commandments. And the word “added,” in Deut. 5:22, from the same Greek word in the Septuagint, has also direct reference to the Ten Commandments. God spoke, or added them in that visible, tangible, audible form. (2) “Because of transgressions.” Man was by sinning so obliterating his sense of sin that it was necessary to give him the law in such a form that it could not be gainsaid. It was given, spoken, added in this form “that the offense might abound,” “that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.” Rom. 5:20; 7:13. (3) The Seed is the Lord Jesus Christ and all His. It is Christ and His posterity, the children of faith, who will be manifested when Christ shall appear. 1 John 3:2. The promise is that of the inheritance, the earth made new. And the coming of the Seed is the coming to inherit. Eze. 21:25-27; Matt. 25:31-34. The law was spoken, added in its written form, to convince of sin (Rom. 3:20) till the Gospel work ends and Christ shall come. (4) So it concludes all under sin (Gal. 3:22); those who do not believe are still “under the law,” condemned by it (verse 23; John 3:18); yet while condemning us it leads us to the only One who can save,—Jesus Christ. When we believe, it is the blessed witness of the true righteousness we have in Him. Rom. 3:21, 22.