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I. Its PURPOSE.

1. To reveal sin.

2. To convict of sin.

3. To warn respecting its punishment.Consequently we should examine ourselves by the law.

(1)  When any one sin is forbidden, all sins of the same kind are forbidden.

(2)  A negative commandment includes the affirmative.

(3)  Every command must be understood with a curse.

(4)  Look particularly to the first commandment, which forbids the first motions of our heart against God; and to the last, which forbids the first motions of our heart against man.

II. Its DURATION.

1. Particularly: till Christ should come in the case of the Jews.

2. Generally: till God has revealed His Son in us, before which the law, although abrogated as a dispensation, has still a condemning power.

III. THE METHOD OF ITS PROMULGATION.

1. Guilty man could not have received it direct.

2. It was therefore given(1) by angels (Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:17; Acts 7:53).

(a)  They were attendants on God at the time of its delivery.

(b)  They were witnesses and approvers of its delivery.

(c)  Perhaps its commands were uttered by angels (Hebrews 2:2).

(2) By the instrumentality of Moses (Deuteronomy 5:5).

3. Learn then

(1)  to reverence it,

(2)  to fear to break it,

(3)  to repent of breaking it,

(4)  to look for shame and confusion in the case of impenitence in the presence of God and the angels.

(W. Perkins.)

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KJV: 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.

WEB: What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.