Summary
Galatians 3:15–22 explores how God’s promise to Abraham is fulfilled in Christ through faith, not the law. The law, given centuries after Abraham, does not invalidate the covenant with Abraham, but rather serves to address transgressions until Jesus came to fulfill the promise. The law was given to communicate God’s moral guidelines and standards and define sin, but it cannot provide spiritual life; only faith in Jesus can do that. This understanding clarifies that the law and the covenant with Abraham are complementary, not conflicting, and that faith is the basis for receiving God’s promises.
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Reflections on Galatians 3:15–22
Why God’s Promise to Abraham Still Matters Today
Have you ever been part of receiving an inheritance from a family member who has passed away, or do you know someone who has? How can you know the intentions of the departed? Hopefully, they left a last will and testament identifying the individuals entitled to inherit their possessions and detailing exactly who gets what. If there is a will that clearly outlines these specifics, then there is little room for siblings to dispute, and even if one attempts to create other documentation to alter the terms, it wouldn’t matter because only the original will is binding and carries legal authority.
This is how Paul describes God’s interaction with us. God acts through covenants (or binding contracts) that obligate one or both parties to uphold specific responsibilities. This passage of scripture discusses two different covenants (one given to Abraham and one given to Moses) and investigates which one is the basis, or foundation, for the promises and blessings from God.
Understanding God’s Promise to Abraham
In Galatians 3:15–22, the Apostle Paul reveals an important truth: God’s promise to Abraham is fulfilled in Christ through faith—not by the law. There was confusion regarding the relationship between two covenants: one given to Abraham and another to Moses, and Paul aims to clarify this. This foundational idea helps us understand how God’s covenants function and their implications for us today.
The Nature of a Divine Covenant
Paul starts by likening God’s promises to a human will. He emphasizes that once a will is validated, no one can change it, and any other agreements made afterward cannot override the original. Therefore, God’s covenant made with Abraham stands firm. The Judaizers have mistakenly thought that a more recent covenant meant that it nullified the first or that since it is the more recent agreement, it is the one to pay attention to because it is the most recently updated version (like a computer software update), but, like a human will, God’s original agreement is the one that is binding and irrevocable.
In a scenario where a human will is involved, there are certain parties involved, and in the case of the covenant with Abraham, these parties are:
1. The Benefactor and the Beneficiaries:
– God the Father is the benefactor, providing the promise and inheritance.
– Abraham (initially) and Jesus ultimately are identified as the beneficiaries (see Genesis 12:7). We see this in how Paul corrects a common misunderstanding that Abraham’s seed will be the beneficiaries. Instead of his ‘seed’ meaning the plurality of his offspring, Paul clarifies that ‘seed’ means one person from Abraham’s lineage, which is Jesus.
Through this analogy, Paul illustrates that just because a newer covenant, like the one given to Moses, was given, it does not nullify the original agreement with Abraham. Wills don’t work like that. The law, which came 430 years later, simply cannot invalidate God’s earlier promise to Abraham.
The Role of the Law
This leads us to the next essential question: Why was the law introduced at all? Paul clarifies that the law was added (not overriding)—it serves as a guide to highlight transgressions until the ultimate promised Seed, Jesus, arrives.
The law complements the Abrahamic covenant rather than nullifying or replacing it because it clarifies what sin is since sin has been in the world since Adam and Eve’s fall. The law explains what sin is, and when we have knowledge of sin, we are culpable. Culpability leads to condemnation and a loss of our inheritance. Therefore, God, knowing our sinful state, established the law to make humanity aware of sin and righteousness, to understand their inability to live up to His righteous standards, which points to our need for Christ.
In this light, the Mosaic law wasn’t given as a pathway to righteousness but to expose humanity’s desperate need for rescue from sin—and point to the only person who can make them righteous!
The Basis of the Promise
Paul drives home the message that the foundation of God’s promise was always faith, never the law. The law cannot justify us before God or give life to dead souls (because we are all initially dead in our trespasses and sins). Instead, it serves as a reminder of our shortcomings and current condition.
Faith as Foundation: The inheritance promised to Abraham relies solely on God’s grace and our trust in Jesus through faith, not on adherence to the law. The law functions more like a mirror reflecting our shortcomings, demonstrating our inability to reach God’s standard and, in turn, underscoring the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation. In this passage, the law also acts like prison bars that we are trapped in by sin’s power until Christ sets us free.
In essence, anything based on the law leads only to imprisonment in sin because it has no power to save. It was never designed to grant spiritual life. Instead, knowing we fail to fulfill the law should drive us toward dependence on God’s grace—the only means by which we can access the blessings promised to Abraham, because Jesus is the beneficiary as the Seed.
Connecting to Christ: The Fulfillment of the Promise
As we reflect on Galatians 3:15–22, we must recognize how this passage connects us to Christ. While the law served an essential, complementary purpose, it could not bring life. Instead, that gift comes solely through Christ, the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham.
Here’s the profound truth: If I, like Paul, am crucified with Christ, the old me is dead and gone. Christ now lives in me, and I live in Him. Therefore, as a part of His body with Jesus as the head, I am also an inheritor of the blessings of Abraham! Our connection to these promises is not through the law but by our faith in Christ, who graciously covers our shortcomings and makes us heirs to the eternal inheritance.
Applications for Daily Living
As we unpack these truths from Galatians, let us consider how they apply to our lives:
1. Rely on Faith: Recognize that your standing with God is secured solely through faith in Christ, not by your abilities or adherence to the law.
2. Embrace God’s Grace: Reflect on the grace of God in your life, understanding that His promises are meant for you because you are in Christ through faith.
3. Understand Your Identity: Remember that as a believer, you are a child of God and an heir to the promises given to Abraham, which are fulfilled in Christ.
4. Share the Promise: In conversations with others, highlight the importance of faith over law, and share the good news of how Jesus fulfills these ancient promises. While our works are important, they flow out of a heart that has already been made new out of gratitude for a God who has already accepted you in Jesus.
In conclusion, let’s hold firm to the truth that God’s promise to Abraham is fulfilled in Christ through faith—not the law—securing our eternal inheritance. As we journey in faith, let us continue living in the assurance of God’s promises, embracing the grace that makes them possible.
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FAQs
1. What is the main point Paul is making in Galatians 3:15-22 regarding God’s promises? Paul’s primary argument is that God’s promise to Abraham, which includes blessings and inheritance, is fulfilled through faith in Jesus Christ and not through adherence to the Law of Moses. He clarifies that the covenant God made with Abraham is foundational and cannot be nullified or altered by the later covenant given through Moses.
2. How does Paul use the analogy of a human will to explain God’s covenant with Abraham? Paul compares God’s promise to Abraham to a legally binding human will. Once a will is validated, it cannot be changed or overridden by subsequent agreements. Similarly, God’s covenant with Abraham is the original, binding agreement, and the Law of Moses, given later, does not invalidate or replace it. The original terms and beneficiaries of God’s promise remain in effect.
3. Who are the beneficiaries of God’s promise to Abraham according to Paul’s interpretation? Initially, Abraham was a beneficiary, but Paul clarifies that the ultimate beneficiary is Jesus Christ, the singular “seed” of Abraham. Through faith in Christ, believers become connected to Him and thus also become inheritors of the blessings promised to Abraham.
4. If the Law of Moses does not provide the basis for God’s promises, what was its purpose? Paul explains that the Law was added later to reveal and highlight transgressions. It serves as a guide to show humanity’s sinfulness and their inability to meet God’s righteous standards. By exposing sin, the Law demonstrates humanity’s need for redemption and points to the necessity of faith in Christ for righteousness. It was not intended as a means of achieving righteousness or obtaining the promised inheritance.
5. How does faith relate to God’s promise to Abraham? The foundation of God’s promise to Abraham is faith. The inheritance and blessings are received through trusting in God’s grace, which is accessed through faith in Jesus Christ. The Law, with its demands and consequences for disobedience, cannot justify or give life; it is faith that connects individuals to the fulfillment of God’s promise in Christ.
6. In what way is Jesus Christ the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham? Jesus Christ, as the singular “seed” of Abraham, is the ultimate recipient of God’s promise. Through faith in Him, believers are united with Christ and become part of His body. As members of Christ, they also become heirs to the blessings initially promised to Abraham, receiving forgiveness, righteousness, and eternal life.
7. How should understanding this relationship between faith and the Law impact a believer’s daily life? Understanding that our standing with God is based on faith in Christ, not on our own efforts to follow the Law, should lead believers to: rely on faith in their relationship with God, embrace God’s grace as the source of His promises, recognize their identity as heirs in Christ, and share the message of salvation through faith, emphasizing that good works are a result of gratitude for God’s acceptance rather than a means to earn it.
8. What is the significance of knowing that God’s covenant with Abraham is irrevocable? The irrevocability of God’s covenant with Abraham provides assurance and security for believers. Just as a valid will cannot be overturned, God’s foundational promise stands firm. This means that the blessings and inheritance secured through faith in Christ are not subject to change or cancellation based on human performance or subsequent covenants. It underscores the steadfastness of God’s grace and His commitment to His promises.
Glossary of Christianeze Words
Covenant: A binding agreement or contract between two or more parties that establishes specific responsibilities and obligations. In this context, it refers to God’s formal agreements with humanity.
Abrahamic Covenant: The covenant God made with Abraham, promising him land, descendants, and blessings that would extend to all nations through his offspring.
Mosaic Covenant (the Law): The covenant God made with the nation of Israel through Moses at Mount Sinai, which included a detailed set of laws and commandments.
Promise: God’s declared intention to do something specific in the future, often involving blessings or provisions for those in covenant with Him.
Seed (of Abraham): In its primary and ultimate sense, according to Paul in Galatians, this refers to Jesus Christ, through whom the promises to Abraham are fulfilled. It is not primarily a reference to Abraham’s numerous physical descendants.
Faith: A confident trust and reliance on God and His promises, particularly faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and justification.
Law: In this context, primarily refers to the Law of Moses, the set of commandments and regulations given to Israel.
Justification: The act by which God declares a person righteous in His sight, not based on their own works or adherence to the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.
Inheritance: The blessings and benefits promised by God, particularly the eternal life and spiritual blessings received by believers as heirs with Christ.
Grace: God’s unmerited favor, love, and kindness extended to humanity, particularly seen in the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Study Questions
Context
- What historical events surrounding the time of Paul’s writing to the Galatians might help me understand the significance of the law in contrast to the promises made to Abraham?
- How did the socio-economic situation of the Galatian Christians influence their understanding of inherited blessings?
- In what ways did the cultural understanding of covenants in the Greco-Roman world impact the way Paul communicated God’s promises?
- How does the relationship between the Old Covenant (Mosaic Law) and the New Covenant in Christ serve to clarify our understanding of God’s plan throughout Scripture?
- What common misconceptions about inheritance or covenants might have influenced the original audience’s reception of Paul’s argument in Galatians?
Observation
- What specific phrases or terms in Galatians 3:15–22 stand out to you, and why do you think they are significant?
- Can you identify repeated themes or words in this passage, and how might they contribute to Paul’s overall argument?
- How does the structure of the passage reflect the logic of Paul’s argument regarding the law and the promises?
- What details about the roles of God, Abraham, and the law can you observe in this passage?
- How does the use of the metaphor of a will or testament enhance your understanding of the relationship between the law and the promises made to Abraham?
Meaning
- What was Paul’s intended message regarding the relationship between faith and the law to the original audience in Galatians?
- In what ways does this passage clarify the theological implications of faith as the basis for righteousness versus the law’s inability to grant life?
- How does understanding the identity of “the Seed” (Jesus) affect the interpretation of the promises made to Abraham?
- What do you think is the significance of Paul stating that the law does not invalidate God’s covenant with Abraham?
- How does this passage connect with other parts of Scripture that discuss the themes of grace, faith, and the law?
Application
- What specific steps can you take to deepen your understanding of God’s promises in your daily life and share these truths with others?
- How can the truths found in this passage reshape your understanding of your own faith and relationship with God?
- In light of this passage, what practical changes might you consider making in how you approach your reliance on God versus your own efforts to earn righteousness?
- How does the idea that righteousness comes through faith rather than the law challenge or affirm your current beliefs?
- In what ways can you actively remind yourself of your identity “in Christ” when faced with feelings of unworthiness or condemnation?
