“Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”
Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. — Paul's functional view: the law was 'added' ('prostetithēmi' — added alongside, a later addition) to address transgressions ('parabasis'), functioning provisionally ('mechri' — until) until Christ ('to sperma') arrives; law is not permanent but preparatory.
Church Fathers on Galatians 3:19
“What then is the Law? It was added because of transgressions.” This remark again is not superfluous; observe too how he glances round at every thing, as if he had an hundred eyes. Having exalted Faith, and proved its elder claims, that the Law may not be considered superfluous, he sets right this side of the doctrine also, and proves that the Law was not given without a view, but altogether profitably. “Because of transgressions;” that is to say, that the Jews might not be…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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