Galatians 3:15-18 “Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.”
Paul speaks here in a manner that was easily understood by his audience, both then and now. He is speaking in terms that everyone can recognize: it does not require any special teaching or interpretation. Even a contract entered into by men is honored. If the contract (covenant) is correctly ratified (confirmed), then it cannot be set aside (disannulled) or added to.
We have here a reference of promises (a divine assurance of good) that were made to Abraham and his seed. These were promises made by God. If men stood by their human covenants, it is much more certain that God will stand by His. The promise was to Abraham and his seed: not Isaac or Ishmael, but to the seed of promise, Jesus Christ. The first verse of the first chapter of Matthew states “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
The opening statement in Matthew connects God’s promise to Abraham and to David. God promised Abraham that all nations would be blessed in the promised seed (Gen 22:18, 26:4, 28:14). God also promised David that he would not leave him without a seed on the throne of David (1Ch 17:11). Both these promises pointed to the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has a people in every kindred, nation, people, and tongue (Rev 5:9, 14:6). All these are blessed in Him and He sits on the throne of the kingdom of heaven here, just as God has promised.
God’s contract (covenant) was ratified (confirmed) in Christ long before the law was ever given. The law does not set aside God’s covenant in Christ, and it does not add anything to God’s covenant in Christ. The promise of that holy seed was secured to Abraham four hundred and thirty years before the law was given. The promise of God is greater than the law. Whereas the law condemns us, the promise of God brings hope and salvation to all His children everywhere!
May God grant us the grace to lay hold on His promise and cause it to be precious to our souls!