Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
But--as the law cannot give life or righteousness [ALFORD]. Or the "But" means, So far is righteousness from being of the law, that the knowledge of sin is rather what comes of the law [BENGEL].
the scripture--which began to be written after the time of the promise, at the time when the law was given. The written letter was needed SO as PERMANENTLY to convict man of disobedience to God's command. Therefore he says, "the Scripture," not the "Law." Compare Galatians 3:8, "Scripture," for "the God of the Scripture."
concluded--"shut up," under condemnation, as in a prison. Compare Isaiah 24:22, "As prisoners gathered in the pit and shut up in the prison." Beautifully contrasted with "the liberty wherewith Christ makes free," which follows, Galatians 3:7, Galatians 3:9, Galatians 3:25-26; Galatians 5:1; Isaiah 61:1.
all--Greek neuter, "the universe of things": the whole world, man, and all that appertains to him.
under sin-- (Romans 3:9, Romans 3:19; Romans 11:32).
the promise--the inheritance promised (Galatians 3:18).
by faith of Jesus Christ--that is which is by faith in Jesus Christ.
might be given--The emphasis is on "given": that it might be a free gift; not something earned by the works of the law (Romans 6:23).
to them that believe--to them that have "the faith of (in) Jesus Christ" just spoken of.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Ezekiel 39:29
Galatians 3:15
Galatians 3:23
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