What role does the law play in relation to God's promise in Galatians 3:17? Setting the Context Galatians 3 looks back to God’s covenant with Abraham and contrasts it with the Mosaic Law given centuries later. Paul insists that the Law’s arrival never rewrote or replaced God’s earlier promise of blessing and justification by faith. Key Verse “... the Law, which came four hundred thirty years later, does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to cancel the promise.” (Galatians 3:17) Law Arrived Later—The Promise Stands First • God made an unconditional covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3; 15:5-6). • The Mosaic Law came “430 years later,” long after God had already guaranteed the blessing. • Chronology matters: whatever comes later cannot overturn what God previously bound Himself to. Law Cannot Cancel the Promise • “God is not a man, that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19). His word stands unchanged. • The inheritance is “not dependent on the Law, otherwise it is no longer based on a promise” (Galatians 3:18). • Romans 4:13-16 reinforces that righteousness is credited through faith, not law-keeping. Law Reveals Sin and Points to Christ • “Through the Law we become conscious of sin” (Romans 3:20). • Galatians 3:19—“It was added on account of transgressions until the Seed should come.” • By exposing humanity’s inability to meet God’s standard, the Law drives us to the promised Seed, Jesus (Galatians 3:16). Law as Temporary Guardian • Galatians 3:24—“The Law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” • Like a tutor supervising a child, the Law had a custodial role limited to the era before faith in Christ was revealed. • Once Christ came, believers are no longer “under a guardian” (Galatians 3:25). Grace Triumphs—Inheritance by Promise • Salvation’s basis never shifts from grace to merit. • Ephesians 2:8-9 underscores that it remains “by grace…through faith…not by works.” • The promise ensures that blessing rests on God’s character, not human performance. Covenant Faithfulness through Christ • Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly (Matthew 5:17) and bore its curse (Galatians 3:13). • In Him, every promise is “Yes” and “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). • Because Christ is the true Seed, all who belong to Him are “heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). Living Today in the Freedom of the Promise • Stand firm in liberty; don’t return to legalistic bondage (Galatians 5:1). • Rest in Christ’s finished work, assured that the Law cannot add to or subtract from God’s gracious covenant. • Walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), expressing the righteousness the Law described but could never empower. |
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