Gal 3:15-19 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gal 3:15-18: 3:15-18 Christ, not the law, has fulfilled the promise and covenant given to Abraham. 3:15 An irrevocable agreement , such as a person’s last will and testament, is unalterable after the person has died, and it must be executed exactly as written.

Summary for Gal 3:15-18: 3:15-18 ^a Christ, not the law, has fulfilled the promise and covenant given to Abraham. 3:15 ^b An irrevocable agreement, such as a person’s last will and testament, is unalterable after the person has died, and it must be executed exactly as written.
3:16 ^c The promises to Abraham were primarily inherited by Abraham and his child (literally his seed)—the promised Messiah, the ultimate descendant of Abraham. “Seed” can refer to a single descendant or to many descendants (see Gen 12:7 ^d; 13:15 ^e). Although the promise has a plural sense (see Gal 3:29 ^f; Gen 13:15-16 ^g; 15:5-6 ^h; 17:7-8 ⁱ), this singular noun points to the one descendant, Christ, who completely fulfilled the promise. The heirs of the promise are not Jacob’s physical children, but the spiritual children of Christ by the Spirit through faith.
3:17 ^j Just as irrevocable agreements cannot be canceled (3:15 ^k), the terms of God’s covenant with Abraham were not changed by the giving of the law.

• 430 years: See study note on Exod 12:40.
3:18 ^l The inheritance (see 4:1-7 ^m) cannot come through keeping the law, because that would nullify God’s promise to Abraham, which was accepted by faith before the law.
Summary for Gal 3:19-22: 3:19-22 ⁿ Paul’s argument so far might lead his readers to believe that the law had no purpose. Here, however, Paul emphasizes the law’s proper role in order to correct false teaching about the law. 3:19 ^o If people do not receive God’s inheritance through the law, why, then, was the law given? It was to show people their sins and make it clear that sinful actions are offenses against God. People cannot rely on their own goodness to save them, but must turn to God in faith (see Rom 3:19-20 ^p; 4:15 ^q; 5:20 ^r; 7:7-13 ^s).

• until the coming of the child who was promised: See Gal 3:16 ^t. While the promise is permanent, the law was temporary. With Christ’s coming, the law was fulfilled (see Matt 5:17-20 ^u; cp. Matt 3:13-15 ^v; John 19:30 ^w) and God’s acceptance is based entirely on faith in Christ.

• through angels: Deuteronomy 33:2 ^x in the Greek version describes the Lord’s coming from Sinai “with myriads of holy ones, angels with him at his right hand.” See also Ps 68:17 ^y; Acts 7:38 ^z, 53 ^aa; Heb 2:2 ^ab.

• Moses, who was the mediator: See Exod 20:19 ^ac; Deut 5:24-27 ^ad.