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.
Brethren {G80}, I speak {G3004} after the manner of {G2596} men {G444}; Though it be but {G3676} a man's {G444} covenant {G1242}, yet if it be confirmed {G2964}, no man {G3762} disannulleth {G114}, or {G2228} addeth thereto {G1928}.
Brothers, let me make an analogy from everyday life: when someone swears an oath, no one else can set it aside or add to it.
Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended.
Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto.
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Hebrews 9:17
For a testament [is] of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. -
Romans 6:19
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. -
Romans 3:5
But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? [Is] God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) -
1 Corinthians 15:32
If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
In Galatians 3:15, the Apostle Paul employs a common human example to illustrate a profound theological truth concerning God's covenant with Abraham and its relationship to the Mosaic Law. He argues that just as a human agreement, once properly established and ratified, cannot be altered or nullified by others, neither can God's prior covenant of promise be overturned by the later introduction of the Law.
Context
This verse is part of Paul's earnest defense of the gospel of grace against the Judaizers who were insisting that Gentile believers needed to be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law to be truly saved. Paul has just argued that salvation has always been by faith, citing Abraham as the prime example (Galatians 3:6). He then transitions here to show that the Law, which came 430 years after God's promise to Abraham (Galatians 3:17), could not possibly invalidate or change that original promise based on faith.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "a man's covenant" translates the Greek διαθηκη (diathēkē), which can mean 'covenant' or 'testament'. In legal contexts, it refers to a will or agreement that is binding once confirmed. The word "confirmed" translates κεκυρωμενη (kekyromenē), meaning 'ratified', 'made valid', or 'established'. Paul's point hinges on the fact that even a human agreement, once properly made binding, is respected and cannot be altered by subsequent conditions or parties.
Related Scriptures
Paul's argument here builds upon the foundation of God's original promise to Abraham, which you can read about in Genesis 12:3. The idea that God's purposes and promises are unchangeable is a theme echoed elsewhere, highlighting the security believers have in His word (see Hebrews 6:17-18). This principle is crucial to understanding why the Law, given later, could not nullify the promise of salvation by faith, as further explained in Romans 4:14.
Practical Application
Galatians 3:15 assures us that God's promises, particularly the promise of salvation and blessing through faith in Christ, are utterly reliable. They are not conditional on our ability to perfectly keep a set of laws. Just as a human contract, once sealed, cannot be unilaterally amended, God's covenant of grace, established through Christ, stands firm. This provides tremendous confidence and security for believers, reminding us that our standing with God is based on His unchanging promise and faithfulness, not on our fluctuating performance.