In Galatians 3:19, Paul addresses the purpose of the law, stating that it was added because of transgressions until the Seed, to whom the promise was made, should come. This indicates that the Old Covenant, embodied by the law, was a temporary measure necessitated by Israel's failure to adhere to God's eternal principles. Paul explains in verses 23-24 that before faith came, the law served as a guardian, keeping Israel under guard for the faith that would later be revealed, acting as a tutor to bring them to Christ, that they might be justified by faith. Once faith arrived with the coming of Christ, the need for this guardian ceased, as seen in verse 25, where Paul declares that we are no longer under a tutor. He emphasizes in verses 15-18 that the Old Covenant does not annul the earlier covenant made with Abraham, using the terms law and covenant synonymously to show that the Old Covenant was an interim addition to God's enduring promise. Through His sacrifice, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, enabling the blessing of Abraham to come upon all through faith, fulfilling the promise of the Spirit as described in verse 14. Thus, the Old Covenant, added because of sin, served its purpose until Christ established a new approach, uniting all as one in Him.

The Old Covenant was an additional covenant, separate from the Abrahamic Covenant, and not added to it. It was established to last until Christ should come, due to Israel's sinfulness, serving as a temporary measure to work alongside the Abrahamic Covenant. Its purpose was to prepare Israel to inherit the Promised Land and to guide them in civil government and religious worship as a carnal nation of this world. The Old Covenant acted as a bridge from the Abrahamic Covenant until Christ would propose the New Covenant, becoming obsolete once Christ confirmed the promises. Added because of Israel's transgressions, the Old Covenant aimed to cover the circumstances arising from their status as a worldly nation and to prepare them for the coming of Christ. It functioned as a guardian or custodian, protecting Israel from the idolatries of surrounding pagan nations by showing them God's way. However, it lacked the power to give life or provide justification, as it could only teach, guide, correct, condemn, and make one feel guilty. Its role was to lead Israel to see the need for a Savior, as it could not save or release them from the bondage of their transgressions without faith in that Savior. The Old Covenant kept the knowledge of God's laws in the Israelites' minds through ceremonies and rituals, reminding them of sin. Yet, it held them in custody due to their sins, with no provision for forgiveness or justification under its terms. Its administration resulted in bondage to the death penalty, as it could not resolve the dilemma of freedom from sin and death. Once Christ came and died, the Old Covenant's guardianship was no longer needed, having served its purpose as a bridge until that time.