15 Brothers and sisters, I’m using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to a validated human will.[a] 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed,[b](A) who is Christ. 17 My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later,(B) does not invalidate a covenant previously established by God[c] and thus cancel the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise; but God has graciously given it to Abraham through the promise.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:15 Or a human covenant that has been ratified
  2. 3:16 Gn 12:7; 13:15; 17:8; 24:7
  3. 3:17 Other mss add in Christ

15 Brothers and sisters, I’ll use an example from human experience. No one ignores or makes additions to a validated will. 16 The promises were made to Abraham and to his descendant. It doesn’t say, “and to the descendants,” as if referring to many rather than just one. It says, “and to your descendant,” who is Christ. 17 I’m saying this: the Law, which came four hundred thirty years later, doesn’t invalidate the agreement that was previously validated by God so that it cancels the promise. 18 If the inheritance were based upon the Law, it would no longer be from the promise. But God has given it graciously to Abraham through a promise.

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