Friday, March 21, 2025
Children of the Promise – Galatians 3:16-22; 27-29 Submitted by Kay Crumley
What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘promise’? Does it conjure up memories from your childhood about promises you parents made, or perhaps those made in marriage vows, contracts, or other legal documents. Generally, promises are only as good as the one making them. How trustworthy was that person making the promise? Did it come with strings attached? Was the promise based on something you would be required to do in return or contingent on the one making the promise? The passage we are studying today includes a promise made by God to Abraham. Paul teaches the meaning of the promise, who is referenced, and how it impacts our lives.
The promise spoken to Abraham was critical to the Jewish religion as they are the descendants of Abraham. Genesis 12:7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring (or seed) I will give this land.” God made promises to Abraham in the previous verses, blessing him, promising his name would be great, he would be a blessing to all people through his seed, and the land would be His. All Jewish people would know and hold dearly to those promises. But Paul clarifies the meaning of ‘offspring or seed’ in Galatians 2:16. The seed of Abraham is Jesus Christ, the Messiah, not the Israelite nation.
16 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. 17 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. 18 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.
Those who would insist, Judaizers, that all believers in Jesus most conform to all the 613 laws in the Torah, were wrong. Paul is explaining that to the believers in Galatia who are being confused by these false teachers. God’s promise to Abraham stands, is valid and came before the law. The inheritance of the blessings was meant for Jesus Christ. The law served a purpose but did not cancel the promise graciously given to Abraham.
The law was given because of our sinful nature, because we are fallen people. We need rules to live by, a godly pattern to follow. The mediator was for all people. Moses was the mediator between God and the people. Priests and Prophets then became mediators. However, we no longer need a mediator between us and God. As His children we access to God with Jesus as our mediator.
19 Why, then, was the law given? It was added for the sake of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels by means of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not just for one person alone, but God is one. 21 Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if the law had been granted with the ability to give life, then righteousness would certainly be on the basis of the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin’s power, so that the promise might be given on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ to those who believe.
The Jewish leaders accused Jesus of doing away with the law. The law is incapable of providing righteousness or giving life. Its only power is that it provides commands and consequences for those who break it, but not life. Those following the law are prisoners to sin. However, Jesus gives life to those who have faith in Him and believe He alone is the One Son of God.
The best news of all is that we who have placed our trust and faith in Him have eternal life, are the children of the promise, because we are clothed in Him.
27 For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. 28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.
We have been baptized into the Family of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. As such we have inherited the promises of God made to Abraham, we are a new creation, a chosen race, a Holy nation, and a royal priesthood (1 Peter :9).
