Galatians 3:16 - Forerunner Commentary

Galatians 3:16

14 ^athat the blessing of Abraham might come upon the ^bGentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive ^cthe promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Changeless Promise

15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: ^aThough it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.

16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of ^aone, ^b“And to your Seed,” who is ^cChrist.

17 And this I say, that the law, ^awhich was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God¹ in Christ, ^bthat it should make the promise of no effect.

18 For if ^athe inheritance is of the law, ^bit is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Purpose of the Law

19 What purpose then does the law serve? ^aIt was added because of transgressions, till the ^bSeed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ^cappointed through angels by the hand ^dof a mediator.

20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, ^abut God is one.

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.

22 But the Scripture has confined ^aall under sin, ^bthat the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law,¹ kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.

Verse Comparison: Galatians 3:16

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American Standard Version
Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Amplified® Bible
Now the promises (covenants, agreements) were decreed {and} made to Abraham and his Seed (his Offspring, his Heir). He [God] does not say, And to seeds (descendants, heirs), as if referring to many persons, but, And to your Seed (your Descendant, your Heir), obviously referring to one individual, Who is [none other than] Christ (the Messiah).

Contemporary English Version
That is how it is with the promises God made to Abraham and his descendant. The promises were not made to many descendants, but only to one, and that one is Christ.

Darby English Version
But to Abraham were the promises addressed, and to his seed: he does not say, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed; which is Christ.

Good News Bible
Now, God made his promises to Abraham and to his descendant. The scripture does not use the plural "descendants," meaning many people, but the singular "descendant," meaning one person only, namely, Christ.

International Standard Version
Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. It doesn't say "descendants," referring to many, but "your descendant," referring to one person, who is Christ.

King James Version
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

New American Standard Bible
Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds, as {referring} to many, but {rather} to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ."

New International Version
The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.

New King James Version
Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed,"who is Christ.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Now when God spoke the promises to Abraham and to his seed He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," namely, Christ.

Young's Literal Translation
and to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed; He doth not say, `And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, `And to thy seed,' which is Christ;

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The Changeless Promise

Purpose of the Law

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