Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. New Living Translation For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise. English Standard Version For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. Berean Standard Bible For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise. Berean Literal Bible For if the inheritance is by the Law, it is no longer by a promise. But God has granted it to Abraham through a promise. King James Bible For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. New King James Version For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. New American Standard Bible For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. NASB 1995 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. NASB 1977 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. Legacy Standard Bible For if the inheritance is by law, it is no longer by promise, but God has granted it to Abraham through promise. Amplified Bible 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. Christian Standard Bible 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. Holman Christian Standard Bible For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise. American Standard Version For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise. Contemporary English Version If we have to obey the Law in order to receive God's blessings, those blessings don't really come to us because of God's promise. But God was kind to Abraham and made him a promise. English Revised Version For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise. GOD'S WORD® Translation If we have to gain the inheritance by following those laws, then it no longer comes to us because of the promise. However, God freely gave the inheritance to Abraham through a promise. Good News Translation For if God's gift depends on the Law, then it no longer depends on his promise. However, it was because of his promise that God gave that gift to Abraham. International Standard Version For if the inheritance comes about through the Law, it no longer comes about through the promise. But it was through a promise that God so graciously gave it to Abraham. Majority Standard Bible For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise. NET Bible For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise, but God graciously gave it to Abraham through the promise. New Heart English Bible For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise. Webster's Bible Translation For if the inheritance is by the law, it is no more by promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Weymouth New Testament For if the inheritance comes through obedience to Law, it no longer comes because of a promise. But, as a matter of fact, God has granted it to Abraham in fulfilment of a promise. World English Bible For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor if the inheritance [is] by law, [it is] no longer by promise, but God granted [it] to Abraham through promise. Berean Literal Bible For if the inheritance is by the Law, it is no longer by a promise. But God has granted it to Abraham through a promise. Young's Literal Translation for if by law be the inheritance, it is no more by promise, but to Abraham through promise did God grant it. Smith's Literal Translation For if of the law the inheritance, no more of promise: and God has favored Abraham by promise. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise. Catholic Public Domain Version For if the inheritance is of the law, then it is no longer of the promise. But God bestowed it to Abraham through the promise. New American Bible For if the inheritance comes from the law, it is no longer from a promise; but God bestowed it on Abraham through a promise. New Revised Standard Version For if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor if the inheritance is by the law, then it would not be as the fulfillment of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But if the inheritance is by The Written Law, it would therefore not be from The Promise to Abraham, but God gave it to him by The Promise. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor if the inheritance be by law, it is no longer by promise: but God bestowed it on Abraham by promise. Godbey New Testament For if the inheritance were by law, it is no more by promise: but God gave it to Abraham through the promise. Haweis New Testament For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more by promise; but to Abraham God gave it freely by promise. Mace New Testament now if the right to the inheritance be from the law, it is no longer founded upon the promise; altho' God made a donation of it to Abraham by promise. Weymouth New Testament For if the inheritance comes through obedience to Law, it no longer comes because of a promise. But, as a matter of fact, God has granted it to Abraham in fulfilment of a promise. Worrell New Testament For, if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God has freely given it to Abraham through promise. Worsley New Testament For if the inheritance be from the law, it is no more from the promise: whereas God gave it to Abraham by promise. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Purpose of the Law…17What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise. 19Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.… Cross References Romans 4:13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. Romans 4:14 For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless, Romans 4:16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. Romans 8:17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast. Hebrews 6:12 Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 6:17 So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath. Hebrews 9:15 Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. Titus 3:7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began. Genesis 12:7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. Genesis 13:15 for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever. Genesis 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates— Genesis 17:8 And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.” Genesis 22:17-18 I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. / And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Treasury of Scripture For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. if. Galatians 3:10,12,26,29 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them… Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Romans 4:13-16 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith… but. Galatians 3:16 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. Psalm 105:6-12,42 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen… Micah 7:18-20 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy… Jump to Previous Abraham Based Dependent Depends Fact Fulfilment Grace Grant Granted Heritage Inheritance Law Matter Means Obedience Principle Promise WordJump to Next Abraham Based Dependent Depends Fact Fulfilment Grace Grant Granted Heritage Inheritance Law Matter Means Obedience Principle Promise WordGalatians 3 1. He asks what moved them to leave the faith, and hold onto the law.6. Those who believe are justified, 9. and blessed with Abraham. 10. And this he shows by many reasons. 15. The purpose of the Law 26. You are sons of God For if the inheritance depends on the law The concept of "inheritance" in biblical terms often refers to the blessings and promises given by God to His people. In the context of Galatians, Paul is addressing the Judaizers' claim that adherence to the Mosaic Law is necessary for salvation. The "law" here refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, which includes the commandments given to Moses. Historically, the law was central to Jewish identity and religious practice. However, Paul argues that if the inheritance of God's promises were based on the law, it would imply that human effort and obedience are the means to receive God's blessings, contradicting the nature of grace. then it no longer depends on a promise but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Galatians, addressing the churches in Galatia to correct doctrinal errors and emphasize the true gospel of grace. 2. Abraham The patriarch to whom God made a promise, which is central to understanding the nature of faith and inheritance in God's plan. 3. Galatia A region in Asia Minor where the churches were being influenced by Judaizers who insisted on adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation. 4. The Law Refers to the Mosaic Law given to Israel, which some were incorrectly teaching as necessary for salvation alongside faith in Christ. 5. The Promise God's covenant with Abraham, which was based on faith and not on adherence to the law, highlighting the principle of grace. Teaching Points The Nature of God's PromiseGod's promise to Abraham was unconditional and based on faith, not on adherence to the law. This underscores the principle that salvation is a gift of grace, not earned by works. The Role of the Law The law was never intended to be the means of inheritance. It served a purpose in guiding and revealing sin, but it is faith in God's promise that grants us the inheritance. Faith Over Works Believers are called to live by faith, trusting in God's promises rather than relying on their own ability to keep the law. This faith is what connects us to the inheritance promised to Abraham. Grace as the Foundation Understanding that our relationship with God is based on His grace helps us to live in freedom and gratitude, rather than in fear and obligation. Unity in Christ The promise to Abraham extends to all who have faith in Christ, breaking down barriers and uniting believers as heirs of the same promise.(18) The fulfilment of the promise is unaffected by the Law. For it is not dependent upon the Law, or upon the Law and the promise combined (the Law modifying the promise), but upon the promise alone. The Law does not come in at all. Law and promise--in other words, contract and free gift--are incompatible ideas. But the land of Canaan was promised to Abraham as a free gift, and as a free gift the spiritual Canaan is thrown open to his spiritual descendants. The inheritance.--In the first instance, the temporal inheritance of the land of Canaan; but here understood of the spiritual blessings of the Messianic kingdom. Gave it.--In the original a strong word: God hath freely given it. There is an antithesis to the idea of "covenant" or "contract," in which both parties have to perform a part. The promise was given by God to Abraham freely, gratuitously, unfettered by any engagement on his side by the non-fulfilment of which it might be made void. Verse 18. - For if the inheritance be of the Law, it is no more of promise (εἰ γὰρ ἐκ νόμου ἡ κληρονομία [or, οὐκ ἔτι] ἐξ ἐπαγγελίας); for if from a Law the inheritance accrues, it accrues no longer from a promise. The two nouns "Law" and "promise" have no article, being regarded here in their several characteristic principles, which were not only diverse, but contrary. The Law says, "The man that doeth these things shall live by them;" and this while enforcing a great variety of minute positive principles by severe threats and penalties. The promise bestows of free grace without works. The promised bestowment is here styled "inheritance," because received by Abraham's seed as his heirs (see ver. 29 and Galatians 4:1). In the Old Testament it is a favourite designation of the land of Canaan; as e.g. in Psalm 105:11. Here it relates to a spiritual possession. Οὐκέτι seems preferred by editors of the text, when used logically, as if it were, It no longer appears to be (so Romans 7:17; Romans 11:6); whereas οὐκ ἔτι might be referred to a change which took place at the time when the Law was given. But God gave it to Abraham by promise (τῷ δὲ Ἀβραὰμ δι ἐπαγγελίας κεχάρισται ὁ Θεός); but God hath freely given it to Abraham by promise. The verb χαρίζομαι emphatically marks a gilt as freely and lavishly bestowed (compare its use in Romans 8:32; 1 Corinthians 2:12). The perfect tense points to the now and evermore enduring effect of the promise. The position of ὁ Θεὸς is emphatic - God, no less than he! (comp. Romans 8:31). The march of this sentence, with which the apostle closes up this paragraph of the discussion, gives, as it stands in the Greek, the reader to feel the apostle's soul dilating with wonder cud delight as he gives expression to the two notions - the gracious freeness of the gift, and the Divine personality of the Giver. The mention here of Abraham alone, without "his seed," is perhaps due to the apostle's sense of the long priority of this guaranteed bestowment to the giving of the Law. In appreciating the tone of the passage, we must not lose sight of the venerableness of this personage, the primordial father, not only of the Hebrew race, but of all believers in Christ to the end of the world.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Forγὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. if εἰ (ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. inheritance κληρονομία (klēronomia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 2817: From kleronomos; heirship, i.e. a patrimony or a possession. depends on ἐκ (ek) Preposition Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. [the] Law, νόμου (nomou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. [then it] no longer οὐκέτι (ouketi) Adverb Strong's 3765: No longer, no more. Also ouk eti from ou and eti; not yet, no longer. depends on ἐξ (ex) Preposition Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. a promise; ἐπαγγελίας (epangelias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 1860: A promise. From epaggello; an announcement. but δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. God Θεός (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. freely granted [it] κεχάρισται (kecharistai) Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 5483: (a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness. to Abraham Ἀβραὰμ (Abraam) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 11: Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch. through δι’ (di’) Preposition Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. a promise. ἐπαγγελίας (epangelias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 1860: A promise. From epaggello; an announcement. Links Galatians 3:18 NIVGalatians 3:18 NLT Galatians 3:18 ESV Galatians 3:18 NASB Galatians 3:18 KJV Galatians 3:18 BibleApps.com Galatians 3:18 Biblia Paralela Galatians 3:18 Chinese Bible Galatians 3:18 French Bible Galatians 3:18 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Galatians 3:18 For if the inheritance (Gal. Ga) |
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