Galatians,
Lesson 9: The Relation of the Law to the Promise
Galatians
3:15-22
INTODUCTION:
The foregoing argument (3: 1-14) introduced the Abrahamic promise of
justification by faith and showed that it could not be received by
keeping the law of Moses. Paul, it seems, anticipates two questions
from this discussion. First, since the law was from God did it not in
some way relate to the promise? Second, what was the purpose of the
law if only to be abolished at the cross? Paul answers with a two
fold argument.
I. PRIORITY
OF THE PROMISE OVER THE LAW, 3: 15-18.
A. Two
facts considered in 15-16.
1. Two
characteristics of confirmed covenants (in Paul's time)) 15.
Confirmed covenants (1) could not be annulled (2) could not have
conditions later added to them as necessary in order to inherit.
2. The
promise(s) were to Abraham and to Christ his seed, 16.
B.
Application of facts to the law and promise, 17-18. Notice Paul's
“Now this I say,” which introduces his application of the facts
to the subject.
1. The
promise was made and confirmed four hundred and thirty years before
the law of Moses was given. Therefore according to the law concerning
confirmed covenants the law of Moses could neither nullify the
promise as given, nor could the law be added to the promise as a
condition necessary to inherit the promised blessing.
2. We are
to receive the blessing of justification exactly as God promised it.
God promised that the blessing was to come through Christ by faith
(Gal. 3:8, 16). It was not promised to come any other way. Therefore
if we inherit the promised blessing by the law rather than through
faith as promised, then justification would not come as God promised
it would – by faith in Abraham's seed. But God granted the promise
(of justification) to Abraham through his seed and God would fulfill
it that way.
II. THE
PURPOSE AND NATURE OF THE LAW, 3: 19:22.
A. To make
one consciousness of sin, 19a. To make men realize they are sinners,
(cf. Rom. 3:20; 7: 9-13) and bring them to a need for Christ and
salvation.
B. The
nature of the law, 19b-22.
1.
Temporal, 19b. “Till the seed should come.” Then was done away in
Christ at the cross (Cf. 2 Cor. 3:14; Eph: 2:15).
2. Inferior
to the covenant of Promise, 19c-20. The law was given mediately: God-
angels – Moses – Israel (Cf. Acts 7:53; Heb.2:2). The promise was
given to Abraham immediately: God – Abraham. Even as Jesus came to
us to give us the new covenant. Cf. Heb. 23. Hence, no mediator
between God and Abraham as between God and Israel.
3. Unable
to hinder the promises, 21-22. In the promise was to come through the
law of Moses it would hinder the promised blessing of justification
by faith, for the law condemned the lawbreaker. How then could it
possibly justify?! Cf. Acts 13:38-39. But since the promise was given
by faith the law cannot hinder sinners (lawbreakers) from being
justified, inasmuch as we can be justified (reckoned as righteous)
through Christ's sacrifice.
CONCLUSION:
All are under sin! The law says so. But all can be justified! Christ
and the resurrection say so. It's just a matter of believing.
by Lane
Rogers