15 To give a human example, brothers:[f] even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the 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. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

Galatians 3:15-18 (ESV) 中文 

Pure Gospel of Jesus

This letter from Paul to Christ followers living in the area of Galatia is all about the means of salvation. The Judiazer’s were spreading a false gospel which was the true gospel plus works (through the keeping of the Law – esp. circumcision). Paul sharply corrects this false teaching (that even affected the apostle Peter). We’re now in the theology section of the letter; using the Old covenant to prove the new.

Unchanging covenant

Paul now uses some legal thought to prove his case that the gospel is by faith, a promise. Though we don’t use covenants as they did then, we still have them. Marriage is the best example. It is meant to not be broken and it doesn’t change – we don’t add expectations to it later (or we shouldn’t). God made a covenant with Abraham, the father of the Jewish faith. In Genesis 15 God ratified the covenant in a way that indicates He alone will fulfill it; Abraham did not have to do anything.

Promise

What was the promise? It’s found in Genesis 12:1-3. God promises to bless Abraham and make him a great nation of people (later in Genesis 22:17 He says they’ll be innumerable like sand of the seashore and stars in the sky). Then He promises that through his offspring (singular = Jesus) all the nations will be blessed. “Within God’s call of Abram [Genesis 12:1-3] there are four basic promises: (1) offspring, (2) land, (3) the blessing of Abram himself, and (4) the blessing of the nations through Abram.” (ligonier.org)

Connecting the dots

If Paul has done a good job, his readers can connect the dots. The law, which came 430 years after the covenant, can’t change it. The covenant, a promise of God, was received by Abraham by faith. The law doesn’t change or add to it. So, going back to the situation at hand, the gospel of salvation by faith in Christ only cannot be added to – like adding circumcision of the law. It’s either one way or the other; God’s promise is received by faith or law, not both.

RЯeflection

• Does this make sense to you? Can you connect the dots? Do you have thoughts or questions? Add them to the comments.
• What is the significance of this theology to you? As we continue through Galatians, this theme is repeated – salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in the finished work of Christ alone.