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For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.

Verse Takeaways

1

Law vs. Promise: An Unmixable Pair

Commentators unanimously stress that salvation by law and salvation by promise are fundamentally incompatible systems. As John Calvin states, they are 'wholly inconsistent.' One is based on earning a reward through works (law), while the other is based on receiving a free gift through faith (promise). Paul's point is that you cannot mix them; the inheritance comes from one or the other, not both.

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Book Overview

Galatians

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Commentaries

13

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Galatians 3:18

18th Century

Theologian

For if the inheritance. The inheritance promised to Abraham. The sum of the promise was that he should be the heir of the world. …

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On Galatians 3:18

The inheritance (η κληρονομια). Old word from κληρονομος, heir (κλερος, lot, νεμομα, to distribute). See on Mt 21:38;[Reference Ac…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Galatians 3:18

19th Century

Bishop

The fulfillment of the promise is unaffected by the Law. For it is not dependent upon the Law, or upon the Law and the promise combined (the Law

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Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon

On Galatians 3:17–20

19th Century

Preacher

They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always…

Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On Galatians 3:18

This verse adds an objective as well as temporal reason why the giving of the law cannot change the promise. Promise and law are antithetical by na…

John Calvin

John Calvin

On Galatians 3:18

16th Century

Theologian

If the inheritance be of the law. His opponents might still reply that nothing was further from their intention than to weaken or annul Go…

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John Gill

John Gill

On Galatians 3:18

17th Century

Pastor

For if the inheritance be of the law
By the inheritance is meant, either the eternal inheritance, everlasting life a…

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Galatians 3:15–18

17th Century

Minister

The covenant God made with Abraham was not done away by the giving of the law to Moses. The covenant was made with Abraham and his Seed. It is stil…