3:20

In this verse Paul contrasted the work of a mediator (which involves two parties) and the oneness of God. Paul used this contrast to say that the law is inferior to the promise. God did not give the law directly to his people. He gave it through Moses, the mediator. But with the promise, God alone made a promise. And made it directly with Abraham. This shows that the promise is more important than the law.

3:20a

A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party: In 3:20, Paul interrupted his discussion about the law to make a comment on the word “mediator.” He provided background information about the role of a mediator. Paul introduced this background information with a Greek conjunction that most English versions translate as “now.” In this context, “now” is not a time word. The Berean Standard Bible translates this conjunction as however, as does the New International Version.

Some other versions, such as the Contemporary English Version and God’s Word, do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate it either. Connect 3:20a to 3:19e in a way that is natural in your language.

A mediator is unnecessary…for only one party: In Greek, this clause is more literally “the intermediary is not of one.” This means that when a mediator is involved, there is more than one side/party in the agreement or discussion.

This implies that when God gave the law, he gave it through a mediator (Moses) to his people. He did not give it directly.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

A mediator does not work with just one person.
-or-
Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
God gave the law to his people through Moses, a middleman

3:20b

but God is one: In this clause Paul contrasted God’s oneness with the more than one person with whom a mediator works. Paul used the truth stated in Deut. 6:4 to make this contrast.

This clause implies that with the promise, God alone made it. He did not use an intermediary. He made it directly with Abraham.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
but God alone made the promise
-or-
but with the promise, God alone made it directly with Abraham

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