Galatians 3:16
What does Galatians 3:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 3:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 3:16 means
Paul notes that the promises were made to Abraham and to his “seed,” which he takes in a collective yet Christ-centered sense: not many seeds, but one—Christ. This means the promises find their fulfillment in Christ as the representative descendant of Abraham. The point is not grammar-chopping but theology: God’s plan funnels through the Messiah. If the promises culminate in Christ, then belonging to Him makes one an heir. This reinforces that the law is not the channel of inheritance; union with Christ is. He is the true heir, and those who are in Him share in what was promised.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now to Abraham were the undertakings given, and to his seed. He says not, And to seeds, as of a great number; but as of one, he says, And to your seed, which is Christ.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed; He doth not say, `And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, `And to thy seed,' which is Christ;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not: And to his seeds as of many. But as of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But to Abraham were the promises addressed, and to his seed: he does not say, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed; which is Christ.
Context
Verse 16 clarifies the recipient of Abraham’s promises. It follows the legal principle introduced in verse 15 and anticipates the argument of verses 17–18 that the law cannot annul or replace the promise. By identifying Christ as the seed, Paul ties the Abrahamic covenant to the gospel: the blessings pledged to Abraham come to fruition in Jesus. Next, verse 17 will highlight the 430-year gap to show the law’s inability to change the prior covenant, and verse 18 will conclude that inheritance must be of promise, not of law.
v.15Brethren, 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.
v.16This passage
v.17Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 5:29
for no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as Christ also the church;
- Genesis 13:15
for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
- Genesis 49:10
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh come; And unto him shall the obedience of the peoples be.
- 1 Corinthians 12:12
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.
- Colossians 2:19
and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.
- Genesis 17:7
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.
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