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2. The Law Being the Custodian
of the Heirs of the Promise

15. Brothers, I speak according to man, though it is a mans covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one nullifies it or makes additions to it.
16. But to Abraham were the promises spoken and to his seed. He does not say, And to the seeds, as concerning many, but as concerning one: And to your seed, who is Christ.
17. And I say this: A covenant previously ratified by God, the law, having come four hundred and thirty years after, does not annul so as to make the promise of none effect.
18. For if the inheritance is of law, it is no longer of promise; but to Abraham God has graciously given it through promise.
19. Why then the law? It was added because of the transgressions until the seed should come to whom the promise was made, it being ordained through angels in the hand of a mediator.
20. But a mediator is not a mediator for one, but God is one.
21. Is then the law against the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given which was able to give life, righteousness would have indeed been of law.
22. But the Scripture has shut up all under sin in order that the promise out of faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23. But before faith came we were guarded under law, being shut up unto the faith which was to be revealed.
24. So then the law has become our child-conductor unto Christ that we might be justified out of faith.
25. But since faith has come, we are no longer under a child-conductor.
26. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28. There cannot be Jew nor Greek, there cannot be slave nor free man, there cannot be male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29. And if you are of Christ, then you are Abrahams seed, heirs according to promise.