14 (A)that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the (B)Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive (C)the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Changeless Promise(D)

15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: (E)Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of (F)one, (G)“And to your Seed,” who is (H)Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, (I)which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God [a]in Christ, (J)that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if (K)the inheritance is of the law, (L)it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 3:17 NU omits in Christ

14 in order that (A)in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we (B)would receive (C)the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Intent of the Law

15 (D)Brothers and sisters, (E)I speak [a]in terms of human relations: (F)even though it is only a man’s [b]covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds [c]conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken (G)to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, “(H)And to your seed,” that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came (I)430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For (J)if the inheritance is [d]based on law, it is no longer [e]based on a promise; but (K)God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 3:15 Lit according to man
  2. Galatians 3:15 Or will; or testament
  3. Galatians 3:15 Or a codicil
  4. Galatians 3:18 Lit out of, from
  5. Galatians 3:18 Lit out of, from

14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles, so that we would all receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit through faith.

Intent of the Law

15 Brothers and sisters, I speak in terms of human relations: even though a last will and testament is just a human covenant, yet when it has been signed and made legally binding, no one sets it aside or adds to it [modifying it in some way]. 16 Now the promises [in the covenants] were decreed to Abraham and to his seed. God does not say, “And to seeds (descendants, heirs),” as if [referring] to many [persons], but as to one, “And to your Seed,” who is [none other than] Christ.(A) 17 This is what I mean: the Law, which came into existence four hundred and thirty years later [after the covenant concerning the coming Messiah], does not and cannot invalidate the covenant previously established by God, so as to abolish the promise.(B) 18 For if the inheritance [of what was promised] is based on [observing] the Law [as these false teachers claim], it is no longer based on a promise; however, God granted it to Abraham [as a gift] by virtue of His promise.

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14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus,(A) so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.(B)

The Law and the Promise

15 Brothers and sisters,(C) let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.(D) Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”[a](E) meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years(F) later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise;(G) but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 3:16 Gen. 12:7; 13:15; 24:7

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

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