Galatians 3:15-29 The Changeless Promise
“Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Purpose of the Law
What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.
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. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Sons and Heirs
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Wherever there are people, there are laws governing what they can and cannot do. Even in Paul’s day, there were religious laws and the Roman law that governed all the provinces, including Galatia. It’s a big mistake to assume that the Galatians were unsophisticated illiterates. Many of these people, particularly the upper classes, may have spoken and read fluent Latin and Greek in addition to any local languages they learned as children. Living under Roman law would give any adult a great deal of information. But in addition to laws, there were also long-standing covenants that were recognized and honored by everyone involved.
“Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.”
“But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”
Here Paul is contrasting laws versus covenants/promises. Before the Mosaic Law was ever given, God had already cut covenant with Abraham, making incredible promises. The Mosaic Law was given to teach people how God wanted them to live; however, the Law did not cancel the covenant agreement God had already made with Abraham.
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Somebody in Galatia might say, “Yes, but Abraham was a Jew, and I’m not a Jew.” Paul has the answer: God was making the covenant, not only with Abraham, but Christ Jesus, for Christ Jesus was born of the Seed of Abraham. And by extension, all who believe in Christ Jesus become Abraham’s seed. What’s even more wonderful is that once someone believes and is baptized, he joins a new family, a family in which he/she is Abraham’s seed and an heir according to the promises God gave Abraham.
Unless we understand the culture in Paul’s day, we might not realize how revolutionary this pronouncement was. Many households had slaves or servants or foster children; however, if one was adopted, past histories didn’t matter. Once you were fully adopted into a family, you enjoyed all the rights and privileges any child born into that family would enjoy. Your inheritance would be equal to anyone else’s. If your adopted father was a Roman senator, you could even wear a distinctive purple band on your clothing, indicating that you belonged to a high-class family.
What does this have to do with holiness? Paul is advising the Galatians-and us-that as believers in Christ, we are candidates for holiness, not because we are so good but because God changes our nature to conform with His. This process of sanctification has two parts – God’s and ours. God stands more than willing to change us; we must agree to be changed. The more we agree with God, the more our lives will reflect God’s goodness and God’s glory.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Thank You for Your precious promises that assure us of eternal life if we will only believe and allow You to change us into Your image. Please change us and help us to continue to yield ourselves so that all of our natures will reflect You and only You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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