King James Bible
"But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."
Paul personifies Scripture as a judge declaring humanity universally guilty, using legal language to show that the Law's purpose was diagnostic rather than curative. This echoes his argument throughout Galatians that the Law reveals sin's universal dominion but cannot provide salvation. The promise refers to the Abrahamic covenant of blessing all nations, now revealed as accessible through faith in Christ rather than law-keeping. Paul emphasizes that this promise predates the Mosaic Law and operates on an entirely different principle—trust in Jesus as Messiah. The passive voice highlights that salvation is God's gift, not human achievement, received simply through belief. This concluding phrase crystallizes Paul's gospel: the very universality of sin's condemnation creates the necessity and opportunity for faith-based salvation available to all.