Theological significance
Paul asks why the law was added and answers within the history of God's promise: it was given because of transgressions and served a temporary role until the promised seed came. The law is not portrayed as evil, nor is God's promise cancelled, because law and promise have different functions in the argument. Scripture's confinement of all under sin removes grounds for boasting and opens the promise to be given through faith in Jesus Christ, with the wording also standing near Paul's emphasis on the Messiah's faithfulness. The passage does not discard Israel; it locates the law within Israel's story and God's continuing purpose to fulfill the promise in Christ.
