Galatians 3:15-16 15Brothers, I speak from a human perspective. Nevertheless, no one invalidates or adds to a ratified human covenant . 16But promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
Paul gives a human example about the covenants or treaties. A covenant is an agreement that should not be changed once it is made. Two persons or groups agree together on these terms. Some covenants are more from one direction as promises. There is usually a stronger party who makes terms for a weaker party. If the conditions are met, there are certain benefits available for keeping the terms but certain penalties for breaking the terms. In the Bible, God made several significant covenants with people using this pattern.
For example, for the simple covenant God made with Adam and Eve, there was only one law about staying away from the forbidden fruit. The blessing was to remain in the garden of Eden and the curse was death. With Israel at Sinai, God as obviously the stronger party gave the law as the terms of the covenant. The blessings for keeping the law included peace and prosperity in the land. If Israel broke the terms, then the land would become a curse. Both of these covenants are implied behind Paul’s arguments in these chapters. The curse from v. 10 comes from disobeying the law by breaking the terms of the covenant on Sinai. Death as the penalty for breaking the law comes from the disobedience of Adam and Eve.
More explicit in v. 16 is God’s covenant with Abraham. The promises made to Abraham could be viewed in two ways (which is often how Christian denominations are divided). On the one hand, God’s promises were sure because of his grace and plan of salvation. On the other hand, they were conditioned upon Abraham’s faith. Abraham had to believe to be considered righteous. Without faith and trusting in God’s promises, there was no righteousness because righteousness does not come by trying to be righteous but in trusting in God’s promises. There is a subtle balance to maintain between trusting in God’s promises and acting on those promises in obedience. Abraham trusted in God’s promises, left Haran, and followed the path God had for him. The promises became reality as Abraham learned to trust in God over the many years of waiting.
Paul appeals to a literal translation of a phrase found in Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 24:7. The word offspring, or literally “seed,” could be taken as a collective of a group of people as in the nation of Israel, but Paul focuses in on a literal reading of a singular person, who he believes is Christ. The promises God made to Abraham, particularly the hope of being justified and thus being able to be with God in heaven, come only through Christ. It is only through what Christ did on the cross and resurrection that salvation is possible. Likewise, it is also only through Christ that the promise of the Spirit can be experienced.
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