17 And this I say, that the law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not annul the covenant that was ratified by God in Christ, so as to nullify the promise.
18 For if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the promise. But God gave it to Abraham through a promise.
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come to whom the promise was made. And it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator for only one party, but God is one.
21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? God forbid! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, righteousness would indeed come through the law.
22 But the Scripture has confined all things under sin, that the promise through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 But before faith came, we were imprisoned under the law, kept for the faith which was later to be revealed.