Galatians 3:16-18
16 “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, ‘And to your seed,’ that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.”
Verse 16: Paul clarifies that the promises made to Abraham were not intended for many individuals, but for one specific person, who is Christ. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the promises given to Abraham. Therefore, God’s grace, not law, was always the goal.
Verse 17: Paul explains that the law, which was given 430 years after the covenant with Abraham, does not nullify or invalidate the previous covenant and the promises made by God. The law served a different purpose and was not meant to replace or supersede the promise.
Verse 18: Paul emphasizes that if the inheritance and the fulfillment of the promises were based on the law, then they would no longer be dependent on the promise made by God. However, God, in His grace, gave the inheritance to Abraham through the promise, not through the law.
