Galatians 3:18
What does Galatians 3:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 3:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 3:18 means
If the inheritance could be gained through the law, then it would not rest on promise. But God granted it to Abraham by promise. This locks in the principle of grace. Inheritance comes as a gift grounded in God’s pledge, not as wages for law-keeping. Therefore, returning to the law to secure or advance one’s standing is a denial of how God gives His inheritance. Paul pushes the Galatians to embrace the simplicity and solidity of God’s promise: it is given, not earned, and it is guaranteed in Christ, the promised heir, to all who believe.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because if the heritage is by the law, it is no longer dependent on the word of God; but God gave it to Abraham by his word.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for if by law <FI>be<Fi> the inheritance, <FI>it is<Fi> no more by promise, but to Abraham through promise did God grant <FI>it<Fi> .
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For if the inheritance [be] on the principle of law, [it is] no longer on the principle of promise; butGod gave it in grace to Abraham by promise.
Context
This verse concludes the covenant argument of verses 15–18: God’s promise to Abraham is unchangeable, centers on Christ, predates the law by centuries, and therefore defines the way inheritance comes—by promise, not by law. With that settled, verses 19–20 raise the natural question: Why then the law? Paul will answer that it was added because of transgressions, was temporary until the seed came, and was mediated, highlighting its subordinate role compared to God’s direct promise.
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.
v.18This passage
v.19What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Micah 7:18
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in lovingkindness.
- Psalms 105:42
For he remembered his holy word, AndAbraham his servant.
- Psalms 105:6
O ye seed of Abraham his servant, Ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
- Galatians 2:21
I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought.
- Romans 8:17
and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.
- Galatians 3:16
Now 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.
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