Galatians 3:17 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 3:6-18

The apostle having reproved the Galatians for not obeying the truth, and endeavoured to impress them with a sense of their folly herein, in these verses he largely proves the doctrine which he had reproved them for rejecting, namely, that of justification by faith without the works of the law. This he does several ways. I. From the example of Abraham's justification. This argument the apostle uses, Rom. 4:1-25. Abraham believed God, and that was accounted to him for righteousness (Gal. 3:6);... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 3:15-18

3:15-18 Brothers, I can use only a human analogy. Here is the parallel when a covenant is duly ratified, even if it is only a man's covenant, no one annuls it or adds additional clauses to it. Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his seed. It does not say, "and to his seeds," as if it were a case of many, but, "and to his seed," as if it were a case of one, and that one is Christ. This is what I mean, the law which came into being four hundred and thirty years later cannot annul the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 3:17

And this I say ,.... Assert and affirm as a certain truth, that is not to be gainsaid; that the covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul ; by "the covenant" is meant, not the covenant made with Adam, as the federal head of all his posterity; for this was made two thousand years before the law was given; nor that which was made with the Israelites at Mount Sinai, for that itself is the law, which was four... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:17

Confirmed before of God in Christ - i.e. The promise of justification, etc., made to believers in Christ Jesus, who are the spiritual seed of Christ, as they are children of Abraham, from the similitude of their faith. Abraham believed in God, and it was reckoned to him for justification; the Gentiles believed in Christ, and received justification. Probably the word Christ is to be taken, both here and in the preceding verse, for Christians, as has already been hinted. However it be taken,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:17

Verse 17 17.The law which was four hundred and thirty years after. If we listen to Origen and Jerome and all the Papists, there will be little difficulty in refuting this argument. Paul reasons thus: “A promise was given to Abraham four hundred and thirty years before the publication of the law; therefore the law which came after could not disannul the promise; and hence he concludes that ceremonies are not necessary.” But it may be objected, the sacraments were given in order to preserve the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:15-22

The covenant of promise. Having taken up the case of Abraham as illustrating the necessity of faith, Paul proceeds to state the Abrahamic covenant as one of promise. The Mosaic covenant, promulgated four hundred and thirty years after, could not, he argues, disannul the previous covenant. It must have a supplementary purpose; and this he shows to be to drive the souls who have been made hopeless by the Law into the arms of the "faithful Promiser." The following lessons are suggested:— ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:15-22

Promise and Law. From this point the apostle has a softened tone toward the Galatians. He deals with them now more in the way of instruction and counsel than of correction and rebuke. I. THE PROMISE WAS NOT INVALIDATED BY THE LAW . 1 . Human analogy. "Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man's covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto." When the apostle professes to speak after the manner of men,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:17

And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ ( τοῦτο δὲ λέγω διαθήκην προκεκυρωμένην ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ [Receptus adds, εἰς χριστόν ]); and I say this : a covenant confirmed before of God. We have here the application of the aphorism laid down in Galatians 3:15 . "And I say this;" that is," And what I have to say is this." As God had already before made a solemn covenant with Abraham and his seed, the Law given so long after cannot have been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:17

The everlasting covenant. I. DIVINE GRACE IS PLEDGED BY COVENANT . The grace here referred to is offered to Abraham and through him to all nations ( Genesis 12:1-3 ). Thus offered in covenant, it is We are not left to speculate about the grace of God as a possibility; it is distinctly revealed. Nor are we in doubt as to its permanence; it is pledged for the future. II. THE COVENANT OF DIVINE GRACE IS ETERNAL . 1 . As a revelation of truth it is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:17-18

The irreversibleness of the covenant by the Law. "This, however, I say, that the covenant that has been confirmed before in reference to Christ, the Law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, does not disannul, that it should do away with the promise." I. THE COVENANT ON ITS OWN INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION . 1 . It stands irrevocable and indestructible because it has been confirmed by God , that is, by an oath; for, "Because he could swear by no greater, he... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 3:6-18

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 3:15-18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 3:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:17-18

Group of Brands