Galatians 3:17 NIV

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:1-29

Justification is by Faith, not Works1-14. The Apostle upbraids the Galatians with their speedy change from faith to legal observances, reminding them of the fact that their reception of the Spirit had not been through the works of the Law, but through faith, and appealing both to the testimony of their own consciences and to the teaching of sacred history in the parallel case of Abraham.Paraphrase. ’(1) You thoughtless Galatians have surely been bewitched. I told you plainly of Christ dying for... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 3:15-18

(15-18) To take an illustration from purely human relations. A covenant once ratified is binding. It cannot be treated as if it did not exist, neither can fresh clauses be added to it. Now the covenant and promise made to Abraham (by the terms in which it was made) could point to no one but the Messiah. That covenant remained unaffected by the Law, which was four hundred and thirty years subsequent to it in point of date. Law and promise are two totally different and mutually exclusive things.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 3:17

(17) The fulfilment of the promise is thus to be seen in the Messianic dispensation now begun. The Law, which was given four hundred and thirty years after the promise, had no power to cancel it.This verse contains the direct inference from the argument stated in Galatians 3:15. When a document has been sealed, no subsequent addition can affect it. The Law was subsequent to the promise; therefore the Law cannot affect it.And this I say.—Now, what I mean to say is this; the inference that I... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Galatians 3:1-29

Galatians 3:1 'How any man with clear head and honest heart,' wrote Sterling, 'and capable of seeing realities, and distinguishing them from scenic fancies, should, after living in a Romanist country, and especially at Rome, be inclined to side with Leo against Luther, I cannot understand.' References. III. 1. Bishop Winnington-Ingram, The Men Who Crucify Christ, p. 1. D. C. A. Agnew, The Soul's Business and Prospects, p. 1. T. Arnold, Christian Life; Its Hopes, p. 254. Spurgeon, Sermons,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Galatians 3:15-18

Chapter 13THE COVENANT OF PROMISE.Galatians 3:15-18GENTILE Christians, Paul has shown, are already sons of Abraham. Their faith proves their descent from the father of the faithful. The redemption of Christ has expiated the law’s curse, and brought to its fulfilment the primeval promise. It has conferred on Jew and Gentile alike the gift of the Holy Spirit, sealing the Divine inheritance. "Abraham’s blessing" has "come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus." What can Judaism do for them more?... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Galatians 3:1-29

II. CONTRASTS BETWEEN LAW AND GRACE CHAPTER 3 1. The gift of the Spirit not by the works of the law, but by hearing of faith. (Galatians 3:1-5 ) 2. Righteousness not bestowed by the law, but by faith. (Galatians 3:6-9 ) 3. The law curses; the curse born by Christ. (Galatians 3:10-14 ) 4. The law cannot annul the covenant of promise, (Galatians 3:15-18 ) 5. Wherefore serveth the law? (Galatians 3:19-22 ) 6. Faith having come--no longer under the law, (Galatians 3:23-25 ) 7. Sons of God... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Galatians 3:17

3:17 {19} And this I say, [that] the covenant, that was confirmed before of God {m} in Christ, the {20} law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.(19) The eighth argument take by comparison, in this way: if a man’s covenant (being authenticated) is firm and strong, much more is God’s covenant. Therefore the Law was not given to cancel the promise made to Abraham with respect of Christ, that is to say, the end of which... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:1-29

FAITH IS THE ONE PRINCIPLE OF BLESSING (vs.1-9) "0 foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?" (v.1). Little wonder, as Paul considers the principles and tremendous issues involved, that he speaks out in words of earnest remonstrance and entreaty. Had it not been portrayed before their very eyes, preached with diligent insistence, that Jesus Christ had been crucified? Would they again exchange the blessedness and joy of the knowledge of the Son of God, who had willingly given Himself for... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Galatians 3:1-29

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH Having established his authority as an apostle, and his right to expound the Gospel he had received, Paul now enters upon the elucidation of the latter, or rather proceeds to the defense of its cardinal teaching. This is the doctrine that man is justified only by faith in Jesus Christ without the works of the law. The same doctrine was enlarged upon in Romans, only there he was expressing the Divine side of its truth while here he is showing the human side. There he... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Galatians 3:1-29

The Sublimest Gift of God Gal 3:7 No matter where they were born, they may call Abraham "father." They were born Gentiles or pagans or savages, but by faith they may be made members of a noble and majestic lineage. This is what God is always doing; making the first last, and the last first, and showing men, that whatever point they may start from, they may by certain processes become associated with the most royal and exalted of human history. That you were born in obscurity is nothing; you... read more