Galatians 3:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Here is what I am saying: the legal part of the Torah, which came into being 430 years later, does not nullify an oath sworn by God, so as to abolish the promise.

Berean Standard Bible:

What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise.

American Standard Version:

Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G1161} this^{G5124} I say^{G3004}, that the covenant^{G1242}, that was confirmed before^{G4300} of^{G5259} God^{G2316} in^{G1519} Christ^{G5547}, the law^{G3551}, which was^{G1096} four hundred^{G5071} and^{G2532} thirty^{G5144} years^{G2094} after^{G3326}, cannot^{G3756} disannul^{G208}, that^{G1519} it should make^{G2673} the promise^{G1860} of none effect^{G2673}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Hebrews 6:13

For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

Hebrews 6:18

That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Romans 4:13

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Romans 4:14

For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Hebrews 11:39

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

Hebrews 11:40

God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Genesis 15:13

And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

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Commentary for Galatians 3:17

Galatians 3:17 is a pivotal verse in the New Testament that addresses the relationship between the Old Testament law and the promises of God. The Apostle Paul is writing to the churches in Galatia, which were composed of both Jewish and Gentile Christians. These communities were grappling with the role of the Mosaic Law in the life of believers after the coming of Christ.

In this verse, Paul makes a historical and theological argument. He points out that God's promise to Abraham, which predates the Mosaic Law by 430 years, is foundational and unchangeable. The promise to Abraham, which includes the blessing of all nations through his offspring (Genesis 12:3, 22:18), is a covenant of grace that cannot be invalidated or superseded by the later giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.

Paul's key point is that the Law, which came 430 years after the promise to Abraham, does not have the power to nullify or alter the covenant that God made. The Law was added to serve as a guardian or tutor until the coming of Christ (Galatians 3:24-25), who is the ultimate fulfillment of the promise. In essence, Paul is emphasizing that justification—being made right with God—comes through faith in Christ and not by adherence to the Law. This understanding is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the Gospel message, which is centered on grace and not works.

The historical context of this verse reflects the early Christian struggle with legalism and the inclusion of Gentiles into the faith without requiring full adherence to Jewish law. Paul's letter to the Galatians serves to correct false teachings that were infiltrating the church, teachings which insisted that Gentile believers must become Jews and follow the Law of Moses to be saved. Galatians 3:17, therefore, is a foundational text for understanding the New Testament's teaching on the continuity of God's redemptive plan and the supremacy of Christ in fulfilling the law and bringing about the new covenant of grace.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Strong's Number: G5124
There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τοῦτο
Transliteration: toûto
Pronunciation: too'-to
Description: neuter singular nominative or accusative case of οὗτος; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).
Strong's Number: G3004
There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λέγω
Transliteration: légō
Pronunciation: leg'-o
Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Strong's Number: G1242
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: διαθήκη
Transliteration: diathḗkē
Pronunciation: dee-ath-ay'-kay
Description: from διατίθεμαι; properly, a disposition, i.e. (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will):--covenant, testament.
Strong's Number: G4300
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: προκυρόω
Transliteration: prokyróō
Pronunciation: prok-oo-ro'-o
Description: from πρό and κυρόω; to ratify previously:--confirm before.
Strong's Number: G5259
There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑπό
Transliteration: hypó
Pronunciation: hoop-o'
Description: a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.
Strong's Number: G2316
There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θεός
Transliteration: theós
Pronunciation: theh'-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Strong's Number: G5547
There are 530 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Χριστός
Transliteration: Christós
Pronunciation: khris-tos'
Description: from χρίω; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.
Strong's Number: G3551
There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: νόμος
Transliteration: nómos
Pronunciation: nom'-os
Description: from a primary (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law.
Strong's Number: G1096
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γίνομαι
Transliteration: gínomai
Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
Strong's Number: G5071
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τετρακόσιοι
Transliteration: tetrakósioi
Pronunciation: tet-rak-os'-ee-ah
Description: plural from τέσσαρες and ἑκατόν; four hundred:--four hundred.
Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G5144
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τριάκοντα
Transliteration: triákonta
Pronunciation: tree-ak'-on-tah
Description: the decade of τρεῖς; thirty:--thirty.
Strong's Number: G2094
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔτος
Transliteration: étos
Pronunciation: et'-os
Description: apparently a primary word; a year:--year.
Strong's Number: G3326
There are 445 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μετά
Transliteration: metá
Pronunciation: met-ah'
Description: a primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between ἀπό or ἐκ and εἰς or πρός; less intimate than ἐν and less close than σύν):--after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out). Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence.
Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
Strong's Number: G208
There are 212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀκυρόω
Transliteration: akyróō
Pronunciation: ak-oo-ro'-o
Description: from Α (as a negative particle) and κυρόω; to invalidate:--disannul, make of none effect.
Strong's Number: G2673
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καταργέω
Transliteration: katargéō
Pronunciation: kat-arg-eh'-o
Description: from κατά and ἀργέω; to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively:--abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void.
Strong's Number: G1860
There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπαγγελία
Transliteration: epangelía
Pronunciation: ep-ang-el-ee'-ah
Description: from ἐπαγγέλλω; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good):--message, promise.

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