---
title: Galatians 3:19
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/galatians-3-19/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/galatians-3-19.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Galatians 3:19
testament: NT
section: Letters
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Galatians 3:19

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.

## NWT Wording of the Key Phrase

- NWT (2013 revision): "Why, then, the Law? It was added to make transgressions manifest, until the offspring should arrive to whom the promise had been made; and it was transmitted through angels by the hand of a mediator."

## JW Usage

Cited to show that angels were the ones who transmitted the Law at Sinai, which supports the Watchtower's reading of the Angel of the Lord passages as ordinary angelic agency. If angels handled the Law, then the figure who spoke to Moses need be no more than a created messenger bearing Jehovah's name.

## Protestant Usage

Paul does say the Law was transmitted through angels, and Stephen says something similar at Acts 7:53. That is real and should be granted. What it does not settle is the identity of the one who spoke from the bush and from the mountain, because Exodus distinguishes the two. The Law's delivery involved angelic mediation; the Angel of Exodus 23:20-23 is described in terms no ordinary angel fits. He will not pardon transgression — forgiveness of sin being God's alone (Mark 2:7, Isaiah 43:25). He is owed absolute obedience under judgment. And the reason given is "my name is in him." Compare that with how genuine angels behave when honour is misdirected to them: Revelation 22:8-9, where John is told sharply to stop. So Galatians 3:19 establishes angelic involvement in the Law's transmission without touching the harder question. Do not let the two be run together, and be honest that this verse does not help the Trinitarian case — it simply does not damage it either. Compare Acts 7:38, Malachi 3:1.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [The Angel That Bore Jehovah's Name](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/acts-7-38-angel-name.md) — Acts 7:38, Exodus 23:20-23 — an angel who forgives sin and demands absolute obedience [Deity of Christ]