Section 3:15–25
The law did not cancel God’s promise to Abraham
This section has two parts. In the first part (3:15–18), Paul explained what the law was not intended to do. It was not intended to cancel or replace the blessing that God had promised to give to Abraham.
In the second part (3:19–25), Paul explained what the law was meant to do, how it was given, and how it was limited. It was limited as to what it could accomplish in people’s lives. And it was limited as to the time period during which it would govern God’s people.
Some other examples for a heading for this section are:
The law and the promise
-or-
The promise preceded the law
-or-
The law does not change the promise
Paragraph 3:15–18
3:15a
Brothers: The word Brothers refers to the Galatian believers. Paul used this word to show that he loved them, even though he had just rebuked them.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
?My? ?dear? fellow believers
-or-
Fellow believers ?in Christ?
-or-
?My? ?dear? friends
-or-
Relatives
let me put this in human terms: This clause indicates that Paul wanted to explain something. He wanted to further explain that believing is more important than doing/obeying the law. He did this by giving them an example from everyday life.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
Here is an example from one of our customs
-or-
I will speak about something that happens on the earth so you will understand what I want to say
-or-
I will explain to you what I want to say by using something that you already know
3:15b
Even a human covenant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as covenant refers to an official agreement or contract. The contract is between two individuals or two groups. Previously, these agreements/promises could be verbal. In today’s world, such agreements are written documents that are signed by both parties.
One example is a loan document. In this document, a person who has borrowed money and the person who loaned the money agree to the terms of paying back the loan.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
With a human contract
-or-
Even with a letter of promise between two people
-or-
When two people make an agreement
Some English versions translate the word covenant as “will.” This refers to a “last will” or “testament.” The problem with the English word “will” is that the person who made the will must die before the will comes into effect. God would not make a will, but he did make contracts/promises.
See also covenant in the Glossary.
once it is ratified: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ratified refers to making the agreement/promise legally binding. In verbal agreements, this could be done by shaking hands. Written documents are ratified when the people sign their names or put their fingerprints on the document in front of witnesses. A document can also be ratified when someone puts a stamp or seal on it.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
after the people sign their names on the document
-or-
once it has been stamped/sealed
cannot be canceled: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as canceled means “rejected” or “annulled.” A third person cannot cancel an agreement that two other people have made.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
no one else can…cancel the agreement (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
a third person cannot break it
-or-
no other person can say that it has no strength/force
This same word occurs in 2:21a, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “set aside.”
or amended: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as amended refers to adding words to the document to change it.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
add anything to it (New Century Version)
-or-
change (Contemporary English Version)
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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