Christ, the Seed of Promise
Main Idea of Galatians:
To defend the gospel of grace as the sole basis for justification and Christian living, to assert the believer’s freedom from legalism through faith in Christ, and to call believers back to the truth of the gospel.
Questions to Consider:
What analogy does Paul use in verse 15 to illustrate the nature of God’s covenant?
What point is he trying to make with this analogy? Who is the “offspring” that the promises were spoken to in verse 16?
What is the significance of Paul’s singular use of this term?
How does Paul argue for the priority and immutability of God’s covenant with Abraham in relation to the law that came 430 years later (verse 17)?
What does it mean that the inheritance comes “by promise” (verse 18)?
How does this contrast with receiving it “by law”?
How do these verses further support Paul’s main argument against legalism and for justification by faith?
The Text:
“Brothers and sisters, I’m using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to a validated human will. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ.
My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously established by God and thus cancel the promise. For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise; but God has graciously given it to Abraham through the promise.
– Galatians 3:15-18 (CSB)
Observations:
Verse 15: Paul uses the analogy of a legally established human covenant to illustrate the binding nature of God’s covenant.
Verse 16: Paul emphasizes the singular “offspring” in the promises to Abraham, identifying this as Christ.
Verse 17: Paul argues that the law, coming centuries after the covenant with Abraham, cannot annul or supersede that prior covenant and its promise.
Verse 18: Paul states that the inheritance is received through God’s promise, not through the law; if it were by law, the promise would be nullified.
Interpretation:
The Binding Nature of God’s Covenant (v. 15): Paul begins this section by drawing a familiar analogy from everyday life: “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.” Paul’s point here, as Douglas J. Moo highlights in his Galatians commentary (BECNT), is to emphasize the settled and unalterable nature of God’s covenant with Abraham. Just as a ratified human agreement cannot be unilaterally changed, so too, God’s promise stands firm. This analogy serves to establish the precedence and authority of the Abrahamic covenant before the introduction of the law.
The Crucial Seed: Christ (v. 16): Paul then moves to a pivotal point in understanding the promise: “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring. Scripture does not say ‘and to offsprings’, meaning many people, but ‘and to your offspring,’ meaning one person, who is Christ.” This seemingly minor grammatical detail is crucial for Paul’s argument. As Thomas R. Schreiner meticulously explains in his Galatians commentary (ZECNT), Paul interprets the singular “offspring” (Greek: sperma) as specifically referring to Christ. This Christological interpretation is central to Paul’s understanding of how the promises to Abraham are fulfilled. It’s not through the nation of Israel as a whole, but through this singular descendant, Jesus the Messiah. A. Blake White also emphasizes this point in his theological interpretation (GTI), noting how Paul anchors the entire promise in the person of Christ.
The Law’s Subordinate Role (v. 17): Paul continues to build his case by addressing the timing of the law: “What I mean is that the law, which came 430 years later, did not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.” Here, Paul argues for the temporal priority and thus the superior authority of the covenant of promise over the law. As Thomas R. Schreiner explains in his Galatians commentary (ZECNT), the chronological sequence is crucial to Paul’s argument. The covenant with Abraham was established by God’s promise, and the law, arriving centuries later, cannot annul a divinely established prior agreement. This highlights that God’s gracious intention through the promise precedes and stands independently of the law. The purpose of the law, therefore, is not to replace the promise but to serve a different, albeit temporary, function within God’s plan. Douglas J. Moo further elaborates on this (BECNT), explaining that if the law could nullify the promise, it would undermine God’s faithfulness to Abraham.
Inheritance Through Promise, Not Law (v. 18): Paul concludes this section by stating the fundamental principle: “For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.” This verse clearly articulates the antithesis between law and promise in the matter of inheritance (salvation and justification). As Thomas R. Schreiner emphasizes in Christ Crucified: A Theology of Galatians, if justification were through the law, it would render the promise of God ineffective and make grace unnecessary. The inheritance, however, is a gift given by God’s grace through his promise to Abraham, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
Application:
Trust in God’s Unchanging Promises: Just as God’s covenant with Abraham remained firm despite the later arrival of the law, we can have confidence in His promises to us through Christ. Our salvation is rooted in His grace, not in our adherence to rules.
Understand the Priority of Grace: Recognize that God’s grace, revealed in the promise to Abraham and fulfilled in Christ, precedes and supersedes any system of law as the means of justification.
Focus on Christ, the Fulfillment: Paul’s emphasis on Christ as the singular “offspring” reminds us that all God’s promises find their “yes” in Him (2 Corinthians 1:20). Our faith should be centered on Christ alone.
Reject Legalistic Additions: Be wary of any attempts to add human rules or regulations to the gospel of grace as a requirement for salvation or spiritual growth. God’s covenant in Christ is sufficient.
Live in the Assurance of Inheritance: Because our inheritance is based on God’s promise through faith in Christ, we can live with the assurance of our salvation and future hope, knowing it is a gift of grace, not something earned.
Connection to the Main Idea:
This passage (Galatians 3:15-18) is crucial to Paul’s defense of the gospel of grace as the sole basis for justification. By highlighting the priority and immutability of God’s covenant with Abraham, established by promise centuries before the law, Paul demonstrates that justification has always been by faith, not by works of the law. The identification of Christ as the singular “offspring” through whom this promise is fulfilled further underscores the centrality of faith in Christ for salvation and the believer’s freedom from legalistic requirements.
How Does This Text Point to Christ?
Christ is the Singular “Offspring”: Paul’s interpretation of “offspring” as Christ is the central way this passage points to Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham.
Christ is the Foundation of the Covenant’s Fulfillment: The promises made to Abraham find their ultimate realization in Christ, making Him the key to understanding God’s covenantal faithfulness.
Christ Makes the Inheritance Possible: Through Christ, believers become the recipients of the inheritance promised to Abraham, not through adherence to the law, but through faith in Him.
Summary:
Galatians 3:15-18 emphasizes the enduring nature of God’s covenant with Abraham, established by promise long before the law. Paul argues that this prior covenant, centered on the singular “offspring” who is Christ, cannot be annulled by the law. The inheritance of salvation is received through faith in God’s promise, not through works of the law, thus reinforcing the foundational principle of justification by grace through faith.
Be Intentional:
Reflect on whether you are primarily trusting in God’s promises in Christ for your standing with Him, or if you are still tempted to rely on your own efforts or adherence to rules.
Consider how the priority of God’s grace over law impacts your understanding of salvation and your approach to Christian living.
Intentionally center your faith on Christ alone, recognizing Him as the fulfillment of all God’s promises.
Ask Yourself:
Do I truly believe that God’s promises in Christ are sufficient for my justification and inheritance?
Am I tempted to add my own rules or regulations to the gospel, and how does this passage challenge that tendency?
How does understanding Christ as the singular “offspring” shape my understanding of God’s plan of salvation?
Bibliography:
Carson, D. A. (General Editor). NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (NIVBTSB). Zondervan.
Merida, Tony & Platt, David. Exalting Jesus in Galatians (CCE) (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary).
Moo, Douglas J. Galatians (BECNT) (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament).
Schreiner, Thomas R. Galatians (ZECNT) (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament).
Schreiner, Thomas R. Christ Crucified: A Theology of Galatians.
White, A. Blake. Galatians: A Theological Interpretation (GTI).
