The Changeless Promise(A)

15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: (B)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 (C)one, (D)“And to your Seed,” who is (E)Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, (F)which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God [a]in Christ, (G)that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if (H)the inheritance is of the law, (I)it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Purpose of the Law

19 What purpose then does the law serve? (J)It was added because of transgressions, till the (K)Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was (L)appointed through angels by the hand (M)of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, (N)but God is one.

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined (O)all under sin, (P)that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 3:17 NU omits in Christ

15 αδελφοι κατα ανθρωπον λεγω ομως ανθρωπου κεκυρωμενην διαθηκην ουδεις αθετει η επιδιατασσεται

16 τω δε αβρααμ ερρηθησαν αι επαγγελιαι και τω σπερματι αυτου ου λεγει και τοις σπερμασιν ως επι πολλων αλλ ως εφ ενος και τω σπερματι σου ος εστιν χριστος

17 τουτο δε λεγω διαθηκην προκεκυρωμενην υπο του θεου εις χριστον ο μετα ετη τετρακοσια και τριακοντα γεγονως νομος ουκ ακυροι εις το καταργησαι την επαγγελιαν

18 ει γαρ εκ νομου η κληρονομια ουκετι εξ επαγγελιας τω δε αβρααμ δι επαγγελιας κεχαρισται ο θεος

19 τι ουν ο νομος των παραβασεων χαριν προσετεθη αχρις ου ελθη το σπερμα ω επηγγελται διαταγεις δι αγγελων εν χειρι μεσιτου

20 ο δε μεσιτης ενος ουκ εστιν ο δε θεος εις εστιν

21 ο ουν νομος κατα των επαγγελιων του θεου μη γενοιτο ει γαρ εδοθη νομος ο δυναμενος ζωοποιησαι οντως αν εκ νομου ην η δικαιοσυνη

22 αλλα συνεκλεισεν η γραφη τα παντα υπο αμαρτιαν ινα η επαγγελια εκ πιστεως ιησου χριστου δοθη τοις πιστευουσιν

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15 Brethren, as a man I say [it], even of man a confirmed covenant no one doth make void or doth add to,

16 and to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed; He doth not say, `And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, `And to thy seed,' which is Christ;

17 and this I say, A covenant confirmed before by God to Christ, the law, that came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not set aside, to make void the promise,

18 for if by law [be] the inheritance, [it is] no more by promise, but to Abraham through promise did God grant [it].

19 Why, then, the law? on account of the transgressions it was added, till the seed might come to which the promise hath been made, having been set in order through messengers in the hand of a mediator --

20 and the mediator is not of one, and God is one --

21 the law, then, [is] against the promises of God? -- let it not be! for if a law was given that was able to make alive, truly by law there would have been the righteousness,

22 but the Writing did shut up the whole under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ may be given to those believing.

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Intent of the Law

15 (A)Brothers and sisters, (B)I speak [a]in terms of human relations: (C)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 (D)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, “(E)And to your seed,” that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came (F)430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For (G)if the inheritance is [d]based on law, it is no longer [e]based on a promise; but (H)God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

19 (I)Why the Law then? It was added on account of the [f]violations, having been (J)ordered through angels (K)at the hand of a [g]mediator, until (L)the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now (M)a mediator is not [h]for one party only; but God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? [i](N)Far from it! For (O)if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness [j]would indeed have been [k]based on law. 22 But the Scripture has (P)confined [l]everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

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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
  6. Galatians 3:19 I.e., of God’s commands
  7. Galatians 3:19 I.e., Moses
  8. Galatians 3:20 Lit of one
  9. Galatians 3:21 Lit May it never happen!
  10. Galatians 3:21 Or would indeed be
  11. Galatians 3:21 Lit out of, from
  12. Galatians 3:22 Lit all things