Galatians 3:15
What does Galatians 3:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 3:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 3:15 means
Paul appeals to a common legal principle: once a human covenant is ratified, it isn’t annulled or altered. If this is true among people, how much more with God’s covenant promise. God’s commitment to Abraham stands firm and unchangeable. Paul uses this to argue that the later giving of the law cannot cancel or modify what God previously guaranteed. The unalterable nature of a confirmed covenant reinforces that salvation rests on God’s promise, not on later-added terms. God’s reliability is the foundation of our hope; His promise does not hinge on human performance or subsequent regulations.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Brothers, as men would say, even a man's agreement, when it has been made certain, may not be put on one side, or have additions made to it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Brethren, as a man I say <FI>it<Fi> , even of man a confirmed covenant no one doth make void or doth add to,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Brethren (I speak after the manner of man), yet a man's testament, if it be confirmed, no man despiseth nor addeth to it.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Brethren, (I speak according to man,) even man's confirmed covenant no one sets aside, or adds other dispositions to.
Context
Having shown that blessing and the Spirit come through faith because Christ redeemed us from the curse (verses 10–14), Paul now turns to the permanence of God’s promise (verses 15–18). He begins with a human covenant analogy to prepare the way: if human agreements are respected, God’s confirmed promise is certainly secure. In verse 16 he will identify the promise as given to Abraham and to his “seed,” meaning Christ. Verse 17 will underscore that the law, arriving centuries later, cannot annul that prior covenant, and verse 18 will stress that inheritance is by promise, not law.
v.14that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
v.15This passage
v.16Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 3:5
But if our unrighteousness commendeth the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who visiteth with wrath? (I speak after the manner of men.)
- Hebrews 9:17
For a testament is of force where there hath been death: for it doth never avail while he that made it liveth.
- Romans 6:19
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness unto sanctification.
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