Key Scripture: Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law. ~ Galatians 3:21
Galatians 3:15-29
15 Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void or adds to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring.✡ He doesn’t say, “To descendants✡ ”, as of many, but as of one, “To your offspring”,✡ which is Christ. 17 Now I say this: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.
19 Then why is there the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise.
Study Questions:
- A covenant is a binding agreement that is entered into by two or more persons. The covenant being discussed in this section of Galatians 3:15-17 is the covenant that God made with Abraham. What are the promises that Paul is referencing? Genesis 26:2-5
- Who is the offspring Paul is referring to in verse 16? Matthew 1:1; Acts 3:25-26
- What was Paul’s point in verses 17-18 regarding the timing of the promise? Genesis 15:13; Exodus 12:40-41; 19:1; 20:1
- Beginning in verse 19 of chapter 3, Paul takes time to put “the law” into proper perspective. If the law doesn’t bring salvation, “then why is there the law?” What are some of the reasons the law was given? Galatians 3:22-24; Romans 3:19-20; 7:7-8
- In verse 25, Paul says that “we are no longer under a tutor” or schoolmaster, why might that be? John 14:16-18, 26; 2 Corinthians 3:3 (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10; 10:16)
- Discuss these verses related to being children of God: John 1:12-13; Romans 4:16; Romans 8:14-17
- Share some thoughts on the equality Paul refers to in verse 28. Romans 14:10; Acts 10:34-35; John 17:20-23
- Paul concludes this section by circling back to Abraham and the promise given to Abraham by God. He confirms the promise made to Abraham was fulfilled in two ways, what are they? Galatians 3:6, 29
Memory Verse: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. ~ Ephesians 2:8-9
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✡ 3:16a or, seed
✡ 3:16b or, seed
✡ 3:16 Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 24:7