Galatians 3:18 NIV

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 3:18

For if the inheritance be of the law ,.... By the inheritance is meant, either the eternal inheritance, everlasting life and happiness in heaven, which is the gift of God through Christ, and not attained to and enforced by the works of the law; or particularly the blessing of justification, promised in the covenant to Abraham, and his spiritual seed; even to the Gentiles, and inherited by them; which is not obtained through obedience to the law of works, nor does it belong to those who seek... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:18

For if the inheritance be of the law - See the preceding arguments, in which this is proved. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:18

Verse 18 18.If the inheritance be of the law. His opponents might still reply, that nothing was farther from their intention than to weaken or disannul God’s covenant. To deprive them of every kind of subterfuge, he comes forward with the assertion, that salvation by the law, and salvation by the promise of God, are wholly inconsistent with each other. Who will dare to explain this as applying to ceremonies alone, while Paul comprehends under it whatever interferes with a free promise? Beyond... 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 3:17-18

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:18

For if the inheritance be of the Law, it is no more of promise ( εἰ γὰρ ἐκ νόμου ἡ κληρονομία [or, οὐκ ἔτι ] ἐξ ἐπαγγελίας ); for if from a Law the inheritance accrues , it accrues no longer from a promise. The two nouns "Law" and "promise" have no article, being regarded here in their several characteristic principles, which were not only diverse, but contrary. The Law says, "The man that doeth these things shall live by them;" and this while enforcing a great... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 3:18

For if the inheritance - The inheritance promised to Abraham. The sum of the promise was, that “he should be the heir of the world;” see Romans 4:13, and the note at that verse. To that heirship or inheritance Paul refers here, and says that it was an essential part of it that it was to be in virtue of the promise made to him, and not by fulfilling the Law.Be of the law - If it is by observing the Law of Moses; or if it come in any way by the fulfilling of law. This is plain. Yet the Jews... 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 3:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:17-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 3:18

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