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Tuesday, April 29th, 2025
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the Second Week after Easter
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Galatians 3:18
For if the inheritance [of what was promised] is based on [observing] the Law [as these false teachers claim], it is no longer based on a promise; however, God granted it to Abraham [as a gift] by virtue of His promise.
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Christian Standard Bible®
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.
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.
King James Version (1611)
For if the inheritance bee of the Law, it is no more of promise: but God gaue it to Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance bee of the Law, it is no more of promise: but God gaue it to Abraham by promise.
King James Version
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
English Standard Version
For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
New American Standard Bible
For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
New Century Version
If the law could give us Abraham's blessing, then the promise would not be necessary. But that is not possible, because God freely gave his blessings to Abraham through the promise he had made.
If the law could give us Abraham's blessing, then the promise would not be necessary. But that is not possible, because God freely gave his blessings to Abraham through the promise he had made.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
Legacy Standard Bible
For if the inheritance is by law, it is no longer by promise, but God has granted it to Abraham through promise.
For if the inheritance is by law, it is no longer by promise, but God has granted it to Abraham through promise.
Berean Standard Bible
For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.
For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.
Contemporary English Version
If we have to obey the Law in order to receive God's blessings, those blessings don't really come to us because of God's promise. But God was kind to Abraham and made him a promise.
If we have to obey the Law in order to receive God's blessings, those blessings don't really come to us because of God's promise. But God was kind to Abraham and made him a promise.
Complete Jewish Bible
For if the inheritance comes from the legal part of the Torah, it no longer comes from a promise. But God gave it to Avraham through a promise.
For if the inheritance comes from the legal part of the Torah, it no longer comes from a promise. But God gave it to Avraham through a promise.
Darby Translation
For if the inheritance [be] on the principle of law, [it is] no longer on the principle of promise; but God gave it in grace to Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance [be] on the principle of law, [it is] no longer on the principle of promise; but God gave it in grace to Abraham by promise.
Easy-to-Read Version
Can following the law give us the blessing God promised? If we could receive it by following the law, then it would not be God's promise that brings it to us. But God freely gave his blessings to Abraham through the promise God made.
Can following the law give us the blessing God promised? If we could receive it by following the law, then it would not be God's promise that brings it to us. But God freely gave his blessings to Abraham through the promise God made.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For if the inheritance be of the Lawe, it is no more by the promise, but God gaue it freely vnto Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance be of the Lawe, it is no more by the promise, but God gaue it freely vnto Abraham by promise.
George Lamsa Translation
For if the inheritance is by the law, then it would not be as the fulfillment of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance is by the law, then it would not be as the fulfillment of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Good News Translation
For if God's gift depends on the Law, then it no longer depends on his promise. However, it was because of his promise that God gave that gift to Abraham.
For if God's gift depends on the Law, then it no longer depends on his promise. However, it was because of his promise that God gave that gift to Abraham.
Lexham English Bible
For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from the promise, but God graciously gave it to Abraham through the promise.
For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from the promise, but God graciously gave it to Abraham through the promise.
Literal Translation
For if the inheritance is of Law, it is no more of promise; but God has given it to Abraham through promise.
For if the inheritance is of Law, it is no more of promise; but God has given it to Abraham through promise.
American Standard Version
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.
Bible in Basic English
Because if the heritage is by the law, it is no longer dependent on the word of God; but God gave it to Abraham by his word.
Because if the heritage is by the law, it is no longer dependent on the word of God; but God gave it to Abraham by his word.
Hebrew Names Version
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Avraham by promise.
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Avraham by promise.
International Standard Version
For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by the promise. But it was by a promise that God so graciously gave it to Abraham.Romans 4:14; 8:17;">[xr]
For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by the promise. But it was by a promise that God so graciously gave it to Abraham.Romans 4:14; 8:17;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
But if the inheritance was by the law, it could not have been by the promise; but Aloha gave it unto Abraham by promise.
But if the inheritance was by the law, it could not have been by the promise; but Aloha gave it unto Abraham by promise.
Murdock Translation
And if the inheritance were by the law, it would not be by promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
And if the inheritance were by the law, it would not be by promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For yf the inheritauce be of the lawe, then not nowe of promise: But God gaue it vnto Abraham by promise.
For yf the inheritauce be of the lawe, then not nowe of promise: But God gaue it vnto Abraham by promise.
English Revised Version
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.
World English Bible
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For if the inheritance be by the law, it is no more by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance be by the law, it is no more by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Weymouth's New Testament
For if the inheritance comes through obedience to Law, it no longer comes because of a promise. But, as a matter of fact, God has granted it to Abraham in fulfilment of a promise.
For if the inheritance comes through obedience to Law, it no longer comes because of a promise. But, as a matter of fact, God has granted it to Abraham in fulfilment of a promise.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For if eritage were of the lawe, it were not now of biheeste. But God grauntide to Abraham thoruy biheest.
For if eritage were of the lawe, it were not now of biheeste. But God grauntide to Abraham thoruy biheest.
Update Bible Version
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.
Webster's Bible Translation
For if the inheritance [is] by the law, [it is] no more by promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance [is] by the law, [it is] no more by promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise.
New English Translation
For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise, but God graciously gave it to Abraham through the promise.
For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise, but God graciously gave it to Abraham through the promise.
New King James Version
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
New Living Translation
For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God's promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise.
For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God's promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise.
New Life Bible
If it had been possible to be saved from the punishment of sin by obeying the Law, the promise God gave Abraham would be worth nothing. But since it is not possible to be saved by obeying the Law, the promise God gave Abraham is worth everything.
If it had been possible to be saved from the punishment of sin by obeying the Law, the promise God gave Abraham would be worth nothing. But since it is not possible to be saved by obeying the Law, the promise God gave Abraham is worth everything.
New Revised Standard
For if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.
For if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For, if, by law, is the inheritance, it is, no longer, by promise; but, unto Abraham, through promise, hath God favoured it.
For, if, by law, is the inheritance, it is, no longer, by promise; but, unto Abraham, through promise, hath God favoured it.
Douay-Rheims Bible
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Revised Standard Version
For if the inheritance is by the law, it is no longer by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
For if the inheritance is by the law, it is no longer by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For yf the inheritaunce come of the lawe it cometh not of promes. But God gave it vnto Abraham by promes.
For yf the inheritaunce come of the lawe it cometh not of promes. But God gave it vnto Abraham by promes.
Young's Literal Translation
for if by law [be] the inheritance, [it is] no more by promise, but to Abraham through promise did God grant [it].
for if by law [be] the inheritance, [it is] no more by promise, but to Abraham through promise did God grant [it].
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For yf the enheritaunce be gotten by the lawe, then is it not geuen by promes. But God gaue it frely vnto Abraham by promes.
For yf the enheritaunce be gotten by the lawe, then is it not geuen by promes. But God gaue it frely vnto Abraham by promes.
Mace New Testament (1729)
now if the right to the inheritance be from the law, it is no longer founded upon the promise; altho' God made a donation of it to Abraham by promise.
now if the right to the inheritance be from the law, it is no longer founded upon the promise; altho' God made a donation of it to Abraham by promise.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Think about this, can following a set of rules bless us? If it could, then we wouldn't need God's promise, just good rule-following ability. But God blessed Abraham because of his faith, not because he followed rules. We have the same promise made to us.
Think about this, can following a set of rules bless us? If it could, then we wouldn't need God's promise, just good rule-following ability. But God blessed Abraham because of his faith, not because he followed rules. We have the same promise made to us.
Contextual Overview
6Just as Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS, [as conformity to God's will and purpose—so it is with you also]. 7So understand that it is the people who live by faith [with confidence in the power and goodness of God] who are [the true] sons of Abraham. 8The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the good news [of the Savior] to Abraham in advance [with this promise], saying, "IN YOU SHALL ALL THE NATIONS BE BLESSED." 9So then those who are people of faith [whether Jew or Gentile] are blessed and favored by God [and declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with Him] along with Abraham, the believer. 10For all who depend on the Law [seeking justification and salvation by obedience to the Law and the observance of rituals] are under a curse; for it is written, "CURSED (condemned to destruction) IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, SO AS TO PRACTICE THEM." 11Now it is clear that no one is justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing] before God by the Law, for "THE RIGHTEOUS (the just, the upright) SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." 12But the Law does not rest on or require faith [it has nothing to do with faith], but [instead, the Law] says, "HE WHO PRACTICES THEM [the things prescribed by the Law] SHALL LIVE BY THEM [instead of faith]." 13Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS [crucified] ON A TREE (cross)"— 14in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles, so that we would all receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit through faith. 15Brothers and sisters, I speak in terms of human relations: even though a last will and testament is just a human covenant, yet when it has been signed and made legally binding, no one sets it aside or adds to it [modifying it in some way].
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
if: Galatians 3:10, Galatians 3:12, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 3:29, Galatians 2:21, Romans 4:13-16, Romans 8:17
but: Galatians 3:16, Psalms 105:6-12, Psalms 105:42, Micah 7:18-20, Luke 1:54, Luke 1:55, Luke 1:72, Luke 1:73, Hebrews 6:12-15
Reciprocal: Genesis 17:2 - And I Genesis 21:10 - heir Genesis 22:18 - And in Luke 10:25 - to Acts 26:6 - the promise Romans 4:14 - For if Ephesians 1:11 - we 1 Peter 1:4 - an
Cross-References
Genesis 3:14
The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all the cattle, And more than any animal of the field; On your belly you shall go, And dust you shall eat All the days of your life.
The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all the cattle, And more than any animal of the field; On your belly you shall go, And dust you shall eat All the days of your life.
Genesis 3:15
"And I will put enmity (open hostility) Between you and the woman, And between your seed (offspring) and her Seed; He shall [fatally] bruise your head, And you shall [only] bruise His heel."
"And I will put enmity (open hostility) Between you and the woman, And between your seed (offspring) and her Seed; He shall [fatally] bruise your head, And you shall [only] bruise His heel."
Joshua 23:13
know and understand with certainty that the LORD your God will not continue to drive these nations out from before you; but they will be a snare and trap to you, and a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the LORD your God has given you.
know and understand with certainty that the LORD your God will not continue to drive these nations out from before you; but they will be a snare and trap to you, and a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the LORD your God has given you.
Job 1:21
He said, "Naked (without possessions) I came [into this world] from my mother's womb, And naked I will return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD."
He said, "Naked (without possessions) I came [into this world] from my mother's womb, And naked I will return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD."
Job 5:5
"The hungry devour his harvest And take it even [when it grows] among the thorns; The trap opens for [his] wealth.
"The hungry devour his harvest And take it even [when it grows] among the thorns; The trap opens for [his] wealth.
Job 31:40
Let thorns grow instead of wheat, And stinkweed and cockleburs instead of barley." So the words of Job [with his friends] are finished.
Let thorns grow instead of wheat, And stinkweed and cockleburs instead of barley." So the words of Job [with his friends] are finished.
Psalms 90:3
You turn man back to dust, And say, "Return [to the earth], O children of [mortal] men!"
You turn man back to dust, And say, "Return [to the earth], O children of [mortal] men!"
Psalms 104:2
[You are the One] who covers Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretches out the heavens like a tent curtain,
[You are the One] who covers Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretches out the heavens like a tent curtain,
Proverbs 22:5
Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate [for their lack of honor and their wrong-doing traps them]; He who guards himself [with godly wisdom] will be far from them and avoid the consequences they suffer.
Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate [for their lack of honor and their wrong-doing traps them]; He who guards himself [with godly wisdom] will be far from them and avoid the consequences they suffer.
Proverbs 24:31
And, behold, it was all overgrown with thorns, And nettles were covering its surface, And its stone wall was broken down.
And, behold, it was all overgrown with thorns, And nettles were covering its surface, And its stone wall was broken down.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
For if the inheritance be of the law,.... By the inheritance is meant, either the eternal inheritance, everlasting life and happiness in heaven, which is the gift of God through Christ, and not attained to and enforced by the works of the law; or particularly the blessing of justification, promised in the covenant to Abraham, and his spiritual seed; even to the Gentiles, and inherited by them; which is not obtained through obedience to the law of works, nor does it belong to those who seek for it by the deeds of the law, for these are not heirs of it; see Romans 4:14. For was this the case,
it is no more of promise; it cannot be by merit and by promise, by works and grace too; these can never be reconciled, and consist together; if it is by promise, then not of the law; and if it is of the law, it is not by promise: "but" nothing is more certain than this, that
God gave it, freely, without any consideration of the works of the law,
to Abraham by promise; wherefore justification is not by works, but by the free grace of God, through faith in the righteousness of Christ; and in this way men become heirs according to the hope of eternal life: all which is directly opposite to the notion of the Jews, who say, that, ×ש×ר ×צ×ת ××¨×©× ×× ×¢××,
"for the reward of the commandments, men shall inherit paradise k.''
k Tzeror Hammor, fol. 152. 3.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
For if the inheritance - The inheritance promised to Abraham. The sum of the promise was, that âhe should be the heir of the world;â 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 of law. This is plain. Yet the Jews contended that the blessings of justification and salvation were to be in virtue of the observance of the Law of Moses. But if so, says Paul, then it could not be by the promise made to Abraham, since there could not be two ways of obtaining the same blessing.
But God gave it to Abraham by promise - That, says Paul, is a settled point. It is perfectly clear; and that is to be held as an indisputable fact, that the blessing was given to Abraham by a promise. That promise was confirmed and ratified hundreds of years before the Law was given, and the giving of the Law could not affect it. But that promise was, that he would be the ancestor of the Messiah, and that in him all the nations of the earth should be blessed. Of course, if they were to be blessed in this way, then it was not to be by the observance of the Law, and the Law must have been given for a different purpose. What that was, he states in the following verses.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 18. For if the inheritance be of the law — See the preceding arguments, in which this is proved.
