The Promise Keeper

Galatians 3:15–17 (NIV),

¹⁵ Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. ¹⁶ The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. ¹⁷ What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.

"Paul takes an analogy from human affairs of everyday life and illustrates his point so clearly that all can understand." [1]  If it is the general ethic of human nature to honor a promise made, why would it not be so with God when He made a promise to Abraham.  "As if he should say, the testaments of men and such other corruptible things are strictly executed, and that which the law commandeth is diligently observed and kept." [2]  So Paul moves from this analogy to state the point: “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed . . ..” (Galatians 3:16, NIV).

"Now, the promises are made to Abraham, not in all his descendants in many seeds, but in one seed which is Christ." [2] "Paul knows that the singular (Hb. zera‘) can be used as a collective singular that has a plural sense (he interprets it in a plural sense in Rom. 4:18)." [3]  "Paul asserts that God’s promises are not restricted to the biological descendants of Abraham. The promise of blessing, Spirit, and faith refer to Christ, who is representative of all people—not just Jewish people. This narrow application of the promise to Christ allows for a broad application of the promise to all people, including Gentiles." [4]  This is an important hermeneutical principle that enables us to understand the Old Testament promises.  All the promises of God are fulfilled in the collective, singularity of Christ.

"Here the Jews might object, that God was not only content to give promises to Abraham, but also after four hundred and thirty years He made the law . . . The law, saith he, was given four hundred and thirty years after this promise was made: and it could not make the promise void and unprofitable: for the promise is the testament of God, confirmed by God Himself in Christ, so many years before the law. Now, that which God once hath promised and confirmed He calleth not back again, but it remaineth rati- fied and sure for ever." [5]

So Paul argues from the basis of time that the Law cannot supersede a promise already made.  He also argues from the basis of essence.  The Law is different than a promise. "And it cannot be otherwise. For this distinction is plain, that the law is a thing far differing from the promise. Even natural reason is compelled to confess that it is one thing to promise, and another thing to require: one thing to give, and another thing to take." [5]

Father, the Apostle has marshaled a major barrage of arguments to disable and disarm those that would demean the work of Christ and add merit to their salvation. None is as compelling as this volley in this passage.  Christ is the end of the Law.  He is the fulfillment of the Law.  The Law and the Prophets speak ultimately about Him.  All Your promises find their end in the singularity of Christ and become the benefit of that corporate Body of People that believe in Him.  Father, to confuse the nature and the essence of Law and Gospel is to make Christ of no effect.  I know that within my old nature I love to rest on Law and not on Jesus.  Kill that passion in me.  It is a Hell-bent desire. Grant me the grace to trust You today as I did when I first believed.  The beauty and the wonder of Your mercy is that all my brothers and sisters who have named Christ as their Savior and Lord are also included in this promise.  He that believes shall live.  Hallelujah.  The Law cannot, nor will it, dismantle the Promise.  Praise God!

__________________________

1.  KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2386). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

2. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 3:15). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

3. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2250). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. 

4. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 3:16). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

5. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 3:17). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.