Galatians 3:18

Galatians 3:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
• New International Version (NIV)For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Context of Galatians 3:18

16Now 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. 17My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously established by God and thus cancel the promise. 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. 19Why, 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. 20Now a mediator is not just for one person alone, but God is one.

Galatians 3:18 word by word

εἰ γὰρ ἐκ νόμου ἡ κληρονομία οὐκέτι ἐξ ἐπαγγελίας· τῷ δὲ Ἀβραὰμ δι᾽ ἐπαγγελίας κεχάρισται ὁ θεός.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• ifεἰei · ifG1487
• the inheritanceὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the inheritanceκληρονομίαklēronomia · inheritanceG2817
• ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• the lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
• no moreοὐκέτιouketi · not any moreG3765
• promiseἐπαγγελίαepaggelia · promiseG1860
• butδέde · thenG1161
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• gaveχαρίζωcharizomai · to give graceG5483
• to AbrahamἈβραάμAbraam · AbrahamG11
• byδιάdia · through/because ofG1223

Cross-references for Galatians 3:18

• Galatians 3:10For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed.
• Galatians 2:21I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
• Romans 4:13For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.
• Romans 8:17and if children, also heirs — heirs of God and coheirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
• Galatians 3:16Now 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.
• Psalms 105:6you offspring of Abraham his servant, Jacob’s descendants — his chosen ones.
• Micah 7:18Who is a God like you, forgiving iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not hold on to his anger forever because he delights in faithful love.
• Luke 1:54He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy
• Hebrews 6:12so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.

Commentaries on Galatians 3:18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18For if the inheritance be of the law - See the preceding arguments, in which this is proved.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18For if the inheritance - The inheritance promised to Abraham. The sum of the promise was, that “he should be the heir of the world;” see Romans 4:13, and the note at that verse. To that heirship or inheritance Paul refers here, and says that it was an essential part of it that it was to be in virtue of the promise made to him, and not by fulfilling the Law. Be of the law - If it is by observing the Law of Moses; or if it come in any way by the fulfilling…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-18Verses 15-18 The covenant God made with Abraham, was not done away by the giving the law to Moses. The covenant was made with Abraham and his Seed. It is still in force; Christ abideth for ever in his person, and his spiritual seed, who are his by faith. By this we learn the difference between the promises of the law and those of the gospel. The promises of the law are made to the person of every man; the promises of the gospel are first made to Christ…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18The inheritance cannot come from obeying the law, because that would cancel God’s promise to Abraham (see 4:1–7). This promise was accepted by faith before God gave the law to Moses.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. the inheritance--all the blessings to be inherited by Abraham's literal and spiritual children, according to the promise made to him and to his Seed, Christ, justification and glorification (Ga 4:7; Ro 8:17; 1Co 6:9). but God, &c.--The Greek order requires rather, "But to Abraham it was by promise that God hath given it." The conclusion is, Therefore the inheritance is not of, or from the law (Ro 4:14).Read the comment

Topics related to Galatians 3:18

• Abraham
• Faith
• Salvation
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Abraham
• God
• Abraham, Abram
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Conclude
• Curse
• Eye
• Flesh
• Foolish
• Redeem

Commentaries on Galatians 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings