Galatians 3:17
And this I say, that the Couenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the Lawe which was foure hundred and thirtie yeres after, cannot disanul, that it should make the promise of none effect. Galatians 3:17 (KJV)
And this I say,
that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. Galatians 3:17 (KJV)
Before delving into the verse itself, let’s understand the context of the book of Galatians. The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Galatian churches to address the issue of legalism, particularly the pressure on Gentile believers to observe the Jewish laws and customs for salvation. Paul emphasizes that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone, apart from observing the works of the law.
In Galatians 3:17, Paul refers to “the covenant.” This is the covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis 15:18, where God promised to give the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants. The covenant included the promise of blessing and salvation through the Seed, who is Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16).
Paul
mentions that the covenant was confirmed before the Mosaic law was given through Moses. He also notes that the law, referring to the Mosaic law given through Moses, came four hundred and thirty years after the covenant with Abraham. While some readers associate the figure of four hundred and thirty years with the period the Israelites sojourned in Egypt, that number does not denote the interval between Abraham’s call and the giving of the law at Mount Sinai. The exact span between the Abrahamic covenant and the Mosaic law is not specified in Galatians.
The
law cannot disannul or nullify the covenant made with Abraham. The law had a specific purpose, which was to reveal sin, restrain transgressions, and lead people to Christ (Galatians 3:19‑24). However, it was never intended to replace or supersede the promise given to Abraham.
The promise made
to Abraham
and his Seed (Jesus Christ) was a gracious promise that depended on God’s faithfulness, not on human effort or obedience to the law.
The message of this verse is relevant for believers today. It emphasizes the primacy of faith in Christ for salvation, as opposed to relying on human effort or adherence to religious rituals and laws. Our righteousness and acceptance before God are based on faith in Jesus Christ alone, not on our own works.
Galatians 3:17 highlights the superiority of the covenant promise made to Abraham and the inability of the law to nullify that promise. It underscores the importance of faith in Jesus Christ as the means of salvation, apart from observing the works of the law. This verse reminds us that our relationship with God is based on His grace and faithfulness rather than our own efforts.
