Galatians 3:18
16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.
17 What 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.
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.
19 Why 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.
20 A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- 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.
- KJV
- For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
- WEB
- For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.
- ASV
- For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.
- DARBY
- For if the inheritance [be] on the principle of law, [it is] no longer on the principle of promise; but God gave it in grace to Abraham by promise.
- BLB
- 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.
- ÅB
- For får en arven ved lov, da får en den ikke lenger ved løfte; men Gud har gitt Abraham den ved løfte.
- OTB
- For hvis arven er av loven, er den ikke lenger av løftet; men Gud har gitt den til Abraham ved et løfte.
- B1930
- For får en arven ved lov, da får en den ikke lenger ved løfte; men Gud har gitt Abraham den ved løfte.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Romans 4:13–16
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.
Read in contextHebrews 6:12–15
Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Read in contextGalatians 2:21
I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing.
Read in contextPsalms 105:42
For He remembered His holy promise to Abraham His servant.
Read in contextLuke 1:54–55
He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
Read in contextGalatians 3:29
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
Read in contextLuke 1:72–73
to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
Read in contextPsalms 105:6–12
O offspring of His servant Abraham, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones.
Read in context