Galatians 3:15-18
Wycliffe Bible
15 Brethren, I say after man, no man despiseth the testament of a man that is confirmed, or ordaineth above [or above-ordaineth other thing].
16 The promises were said to Abraham and to his seed; he saith not, In [the] seeds, as in many, but as in one, And to thy seed, that is, Christ.
17 But I say, this testament is confirmed of God; the law that was made after four hundred and thirty years, maketh not the testament vain to void away the promise.[a]
18 For if [the] heritage were of the law, it were not now of promise. But God granted to Abraham through promise [Forsooth God gave to Abraham by again-promise].
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- Galatians 3:17 Forsooth I say this, a testament confirmed of God, which after four hundred years and thirty is made law, maketh not void for to do away the promise.
Galatians 3:15-18
New Matthew Bible
15 Brethren, I will speak with reference to the custom of men. Though it be but a man’s last will and testament, yet no one sets it aside or adds anything to it once it is confirmed. 16 To Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He does not say, In the seeds, as in many, but, In your seed, as in one, which is Christ. 17 This I say: the law, which began afterwards (over 430 years), does not nullify the testament that was confirmed before by God in Christ, so as to make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it does not come by promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.
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Galatians 3:15-18
1599 Geneva Bible
15 [a]Brethren, I speak as [b]men do: (A)though it be but a man’s covenant, when it is [c]confirmed, yet no man doth abrogate it, or addeth anything thereto,
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to the seeds, as speaking of many: but, And to thy seed, as of one, [d]which is [e]Christ.
17 [f]And this I say, that the covenant that was confirmed afore of God [g]in respect of Christ, the [h]Law which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 [i]For if the [j]inheritance be of the Law, it is no more by the promise, but God gave it freely unto Abraham by promise.
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- Galatians 3:15 He putteth forth two general [rules] before the next argument, which is the seventh in order: That one is, that it is not lawful to break covenants and contracts which are justly made and according to Law amongst men, neither may anything be added unto them: The other is, that God did so make a covenant with Abraham, that he would gather together his children which consist both of Jews and Gentiles into one body (as appeareth by that which hath been said before.) For he did not say, that he would be the God of Abraham and of his seeds, (which things notwithstanding should have been said, if he had many and divers seeds, as the Gentiles apart and the Jews apart,) but that he would be the God of Abraham, and of his seed, as of one.
- Galatians 3:15 I will use an example which is common among you, that you may be ashamed you give not so much to God’s covenants, as you do to man’s.
- Galatians 3:15 Authentical, as we call it.
- Galatians 3:16 He putteth forth the sum of the seventh argument, to wit, that both the Jews and the Gentiles grow together into one body of the seed of Abraham, in Christ only, so that all are one in Christ, as it is afterward declared, verse 21.
- Galatians 3:16 Paul speaketh not of Christ’s person, but of two peoples, which grew together in one, in Christ.
- Galatians 3:17 The eighth argument taken of comparison, thus: If a man’s covenant (being authentical) be firm and strong, much more God’s covenant. Therefore the Law was not given to abrogate the promise made to Abraham, which had respect to Christ, that is to say, the end whereof did hang of Christ.
- Galatians 3:17 Which tendeth to Christ.
- Galatians 3:17 An enlarging of that argument, thus: Moreover and besides that the promise is of itself firm and strong, it was also confirmed with the prescription of long time, to wit, of 430 years, so that it could in no wise be broken.
- Galatians 3:18 An objection: We grant that the promise was not abrogated by the covenant of the Law, and therefore we join the Law with the promise. Nay, saith the Apostle, these two cannot stand together, to wit, that the inheritance should both be given by the Law and also by promise, for the promise is free: whereby it followeth, that the Law was not given to justify, for by that means the promise should be broken.
- Galatians 3:18 By this word (inheritance) is meant the right of the seed, which is, that God should be our God, that is to say, that by virtue of the covenant that was made with faithful Abraham, we that be faithful, might by that means be blessed of God as well as he.
Galatians 3:15-18
Authorized (King James) Version
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.
Read full chapter2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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