GALATIANS 3:15-22
THE SUPERIORITY OF THE PROMISE
The aim of this section is to show the superiority of the way of grace over the way of law. It begins by showing that the way of grace is older than the way of law. God first establish a covenant relationship with Abraham. Since the Abrahamic covenant was ratified and in force, it was not superceded or set aside by the law which came much later. This covenant or promise is also superior to the law because it came directly to Abraham while the law was given indirectly.
I. THE UNALTERABLE ORIGINAL COVENANT, 15-18.
II. THE REASON FOR THE LAW;19-20.
III. THE PROMISE OF FAITH, 21-22.
The covenant (or promise) was between God, Abraham and his Seed Christ. That covenant with Abraham represents God’s holy and irrevocable will. Verse 15 asks us to consider a solemn agreement or contract between two human parties. Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations [contracts]: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.
The argument begins with an illustration from everyday life in order to help the listening Galatians understand better. Notice he calls the Galatians brothers indicating, despite all his rebuking, they were of the household of the faith. It was common knowledge that a last will or testament, legally ratified or established, cannot be nullified, added to or amplified. Only by the consent of both parties involved can it be changed, and if one has died it is no longer possible. This is certainly all the more true of the covenant- promise which the unchanging God made to Abraham and his Seed and then reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob.
After confirming the irrevocable nature of the Abrahamic covenant, verse16 states the true recipient. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his Seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your Seed," that is, Christ.
When Abraham made his venture of faith, God made His great promises to and with him. God’s promises (Gen 12:7, 13:15, 17:7, 22:18, 24:7) had been given to Abraham and ratified by his acts of faith. The bases of the covenant and its ratifications was based on faith. It was faith which set Abraham right with God. (See Gen.17:7,8 & 22:18).
The word seed can be a collective (Gen. 15:5, 16:10, 22:17, 46:6) or singular noun (Gen. 4:25, 21:13, 1 Sam. 1:11, 2 Sam. 7:12). Here our text argues for it being a singular noun. Certainly many other Scriptures indicate the blessings would come from one great person, the Messiah (Micah 5:21, 2 Sam 7:12,13, Gen. 3:15; 12:2-3,7; 13:15-16; 15:4-6; 17:4,7-8; 22:17-19;24:7) or Christ. It is in Him and Him alone that the many are blessed in and through the One descendent.
Having shown that the promises made to Abraham are fulfilled in Christ, the text again returns to the thought that a covenant once ratified by God cannot later be invalidated in verse 17. What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.
Though the Judaizers recognized Jesus as the Christ, they saw God’s full and final revelation not in Jesus but in the Mosaic Law. Thus they insisted that while Gentiles should believe in Christ, they must first be circumcised and live as Jews in keeping the Law.
Paul amplifies the thought of verse 15 here with reference to 430 years. God repeated His promise (Gen 12:3; 17:7-8) that He gave to Abraham (215 years earlier) to Jacob also (Gen.22:18; 26:4; 28:14). Then the tribes sojourn in Egypt for 400 years (Gen. 15:13; Acts 7:6). It was after this experience while Israel was in the wilderness that God handed down the law (Ex. 12:40).
The Mosaic Law that came hundreds of years later did not set aside the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The prior covenant of salvation or blessings for all nations (Gen. 12:3) was ratified. The covenant of law did not set aside or nullify- meaning make inoperative- God’s covenant of blessings extended to all people through the Seed. More over during these hundreds of years before the law God justified men only by faith.
God kept His covenant promise to Abraham (Genesis 17:7-8) and He has not revoked it, though thousands of years have passed. He saved Abraham through his faith, and He blessed the world through Abraham by sending the Messiah as one of Abraham’s descendants. Circumstances may change, but God remains constant and does not break His promises. He has promised to forgive our sins through Jesus Christ, and we can be sure that He will do so.
The conclusion in verse 18 is that Abraham’s promised inheritance is not received by law but by faith. For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
The promised blessing or salvation is an "inheritance." The inheritance of becoming acceptable before God is based on promise. An inheritance can be based of fulfilling the law but thank God the inheritance of salvation is based on a promise given to Abraham and Christ.
The Abrahamic inheritance of those who believe in Christ is the gift of salvation which is based on faith in a promise. Note that it is freely bestowed by God. God granted it ( µ - graciously given) to Abraham. He did not have to work for it. It was a gift. In fact the verb granted renders a Greek verb (charizomai) which is related to grace (charis). It was not bought with money, earned by sweat of toil, or won by conquest or attained by keeping the law.
II. THE REASON FOR THE LAW (19-20).
Up until now Paul’s treatment of the law has been negative. One may even wonder about why we even have law. That very question is asked in verse 19. Why the Law then? It was added because of [to point out] transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
If the law given at Sinai was unable to impart righteousness, [or bring about the promised salvation,] then what possible good was it? [The law has two functions. On the positive side it reveals the nature and will of God and shows people how to live. On the negative side, it points out people’s sins and shows them it is impossible to please God by trying to obey all His Laws, since you don’t.] It was given to man to help awaken in his mind and heart the sense of sin. A vague awareness of sinfulness will not drive man to a Savior in search of mercy and forgiveness. Specific commandments show how we are transgressing, proving us sinners in need of salvation.
If you SPEED THROUGH a dangerous INTERSECTION without slowing down you might not know it was wrong. But if a stop sign is placed there and you run through it, you are made aware of your wrong. If you know the sign is there and you run through it, you are deliberate law breaker. The law came about so that it could be proven that we are deliberate transgressors (Rom. 4:15; 5:20; 3:20; 7: 7,13). The law acts as a magnifying glass not increasing the number of dirty spots but making them stand out more clearly.
The inferiority of the law to the promise is shown in that it came through angels or indirectly from God but the Promise came directly from God. The law required a mediator. Moses stood in between the people and God (Deut. 5:5). The gospel was fulfilled directly by God in nothing less than Jesus’ agonizing death for man.
The temporary role of the law is seen in the phrases "it was added" subsequently (to the promise) and "until the Seed should come." Christ was the Seed to whom the promise was made ( µ , perfect tense, past action with present results, indicating the promise is still in effect). It is obvious that a temporary law cannot be greater than a permanent covenant. By the life, death and resurrection of Christ, the righteous demands of the law were fulfilled and those in Christ are freed to walk by the Law of the Spirit (Rom. 7:4, 8:1-4).
Verse 20 looks further into the mediator. Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.
The context seem to indicate the following interpretation. Though a human intermediary may be ever so important, he is a third party. Moses served as a human link between God and the people. Such an intermediary lacks independent authority. God however is One in His manifestation and promises, be they from the Father or from Jesus Christ. When He made His promises to Abraham and enacted them in Christ Jesus, He did so of His own sovereignty, directly and personally.
The Judaizers were impressed by the incidentals of the Law; the glory, thunder, lightning, angels, and other externals. We must look beyond incidentals to essentials. The Law is temporary, and required a mediator. The covenant of promise is permanent and did not require a mediator. The only conclusion is that the covenant is greater than the law.
III. THE PROMISE OF FAITH, 21-22.
Because of the superior nature of the covenant with Abraham, Paul raises another question in verse 21. "Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law."
Paul has indicated that the inheritance is due to promise not Law and that makes the law inferior to promise. Does that mean the law is an enemy of the promises? The responds is Paul’s familiar "God forbid" (lit. let it not be).
The law and the promise are not opposed to each other but work together. The law’s objective is to lead the sinner to Christ and His gracious promise, and forsake trusting one’s own goodness. The promise’s objective to save the repentant law breaker. They are not in conflict but work together.
If a law could have made men alive again spiritually, then God’s righteousness would originate in legalism. This if clause in the Greek has the force of if and it doesn’t. Certainly the law of Moses regulated the lives of the Jewish people, but it did not, it could not, provide spiritual life to the people. The law can never make man spiritually alive nor regenerate him. If the law could give life then justification would be by law and Jesus Christ would never have died on the cross. But this is not the case for Christ did die to justify man.
The purpose of the law is not to justify but show man’s condemnation as verse 22 indicates. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Did the law ever justify anyone? Did it ever set anyone free? No! The Scripture has shut up everyone under sin. The Greek verb translated shut up means to imprison. The human race as a whole is put in prison under sin. Sin is the dungeon and it has been closed and locked with all men under a sentence of eternal condemnation. These men are chained as prisoners with iron bands around their legs, bands that are fastened to chains that are cemented into the walls of their cells. They are guilty convicts unable to break their fetters.
Men should through the help of the Holy Spirit yearn for a Divine Deliverer to set them free and shout for joy at the sound of His footsteps heard in His promise of freedom. God has imprisoned all under sin so that the promise out of faith in Jesus Christ might be given to all who believe in Him. This wonderful rescuing Redeemer does something for sinners the law is not able to do. He sets the prisoner free delivering them from the curse, by taking it upon Himself through their faith in the promise He speaks into their hearts.
CONCLUSION
There is a lawful use of the law and there is an unlawful use of the law (1 Tim. 1:8-11). Its lawful use is to reveal sin and cause men to see their need of a Savior. Its unlawful use is to try to achieve approval or salvation by the keeping of the law. When people say they are going to Heaven because they have obeyed God’s law, they reveal their misunderstanding of the law. The law places all men under sin, Jew and Gentile alike. But since all are under sin, then all maybe saved by grace! Faith based on grace is the key to all God’s promises. God does not have two ways that lead to salvation, He has just one- saving faith in Jesus Christ alone.
