Galatians 3:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Galatians 3:15, the Apostle Paul employs a common human analogy of a confirmed will or covenant to underscore a profound theological truth: just as a human agreement, once legally ratified, cannot be altered or nullified by subsequent parties or conditions, so too God's prior and unchangeable covenant of promise to Abraham cannot be abrogated or modified by the later introduction of the Mosaic Law. This illustration serves to reinforce the enduring validity and supremacy of God's grace-based promise over the law-based system.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal point in Paul's impassioned argument in Galatians 3, where he defends the doctrine of justification by faith against the Judaizers who insisted on adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation. Paul has just established that Abraham was justified by faith [Galatians 3:6](/galatians/3-6 "Galatians 3:6 - Abraham Justified by Faith"), and that those who believe are "sons of Abraham" [Galatians 3:7](/galatians/3-7 "Galatians 3:7 - Believers are Sons of Abraham"). He then contrasts the blessing of faith with the curse of the Law, from which Christ has redeemed believers [Galatians 3:10-14](/galatians/3-10-14 "Galatians 3:10-14 - The Curse of the Law and Christ's Redemption"). Verse 15 introduces a legal analogy to explain *why* the Law, which came much later, could not possibly invalidate the earlier, divinely given promise. It sets the stage for Paul's explicit statement in [Galatians 3:17](/galatians/3-17 "Galatians 3:17 - The Law Does Not Annul the Promise") about the 430-year gap between the promise and the Law.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience in Galatia was grappling with the influence of Judaizers who taught that Gentile Christians needed to be circumcised and observe Jewish customs to be truly saved. In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of a "covenant" (Greek: _diathēkē_) often referred to a legal will or testament, which, once ratified (e.g., by the death of the testator or by formal agreement), became unalterable and binding. This legal principle was well-understood in both Roman and Jewish legal systems. Paul leverages this common understanding to illustrate the inviolability of God's divine promise, appealing to a universally accepted legal precedent to demonstrate the logical fallacy of the Judaizers' position. The Galatians would immediately grasp the implication that if even a human agreement is sacrosanct, how much more so a divine one!
* **Key Themes:** Galatians 3:15 contributes significantly to several major themes in the book of Galatians. Firstly, it highlights the **Supremacy and Unchangeableness of God's Promise**, asserting that God's word, once given, is eternally binding and cannot be superseded or modified by subsequent revelations or human efforts. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Justification by Faith Alone**, demonstrating that the Abrahamic covenant, which promised blessing through faith, remains the primary and enduring basis for salvation, not adherence to the Mosaic Law. Thirdly, it clarifies the **Subordinate Role of the Law**, showing that the Law was not given to nullify or replace the promise but served a different, temporary purpose, as explained in [Galatians 3:19-25](/galatians/3-19-25 "Galatians 3:19-25 - The Purpose of the Law"). This verse thus powerfully undergirds Paul's core argument for Christian liberty from legalism.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **covenant (Greek, _diathḗkē'_):** From G1242, properly, a disposition, i.e. (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will). In this context, Paul uses it to refer to a binding agreement or a will. The emphasis is on its established and unalterable nature once confirmed, serving as an analogy for God's promise to Abraham.
* **confirmed (Greek, _kyróō'_):** From G2964, to make authoritative, i.e. ratify. This word signifies that the covenant or will has been legally validated and made binding. Once confirmed, its terms are fixed and cannot be changed, a crucial point for Paul's argument about the immutability of God's promise.
* **disannulleth (Greek, _athetéō'_):** From G114, to set aside, i.e. (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate. This term describes the act of rendering something void or invalid. Paul asserts that no one has the authority to "disannul" or cancel a confirmed human covenant, drawing a direct parallel to the divine covenant with Abraham.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Brethren, I speak after the manner of men":** Paul begins by appealing to a common, universally understood principle from human experience. He is using a human analogy, specifically from the realm of legal agreements or wills, to explain a divine truth. This rhetorical device makes his argument relatable and compelling to his audience.
* **"Though [it be] but a man's covenant, yet [if it be] confirmed":** Paul emphasizes the binding nature of even a human agreement. The word "covenant" here (Greek _diathēkē_) can also mean "will" or "testament," which, once ratified (e.g., by the death of the testator or by formal legal process), becomes legally unalterable. The phrase "if it be confirmed" highlights the critical step of ratification that makes an agreement legally binding.
* **"no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto":** This is the crux of the analogy. Once a human will or covenant is legally confirmed, no one has the authority to invalidate it ("disannul") or to introduce new conditions or clauses ("add thereto"). This principle of inviolability in human law serves as a powerful illustration for the divine realm, preparing the reader for the argument that God's covenant with Abraham is likewise unchangeable.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's argument in Galatians 3:15 primarily employs **Analogy**, drawing a direct comparison between the inviolable nature of a human will or covenant and the unalterable character of God's divine promise to Abraham. By appealing to a universally accepted legal principle—that a confirmed agreement cannot be unilaterally changed or added to—Paul establishes a foundation for understanding the permanence of God's covenant. This analogy is reinforced by the use of **Legal Language/Metaphor**, with terms like "covenant," "confirmed," "disannulleth," and "addeth thereto," which are precise legal terms applied to a theological context. The passage also carries an implicit **Rhetorical Question**: if human agreements are so binding, how much more so is a divine covenant? This rhetorical strategy aims to persuade the Galatian believers of the absolute reliability of God's promise over the temporary and subordinate role of the Law.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 3:15 is a foundational verse for understanding the unshakeable reliability of God's promises and the proper relationship between divine grace and human law. It asserts that God's covenant of promise, established with Abraham, is not only prior to the Mosaic Law but also fundamentally unalterable by it. This highlights God's unchanging character and the security of His word, ensuring that His redemptive plan, rooted in promise and fulfilled in Christ, remains steadfast regardless of subsequent dispensations or human attempts to add conditions. The theological implication is profound: salvation and blessing are secured by God's unilateral, gracious initiative, not by human performance under a legal code. This truth liberates believers from the burden of legalism and grounds their hope in God's faithfulness.

* [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "Genesis 12:1-3 - God's Promise to Abraham")
* [Hebrews 6:17-18](/hebrews/6-17-18 "Hebrews 6:17-18 - God's Unchanging Purpose and Oath")
* [Romans 4:13-16](/romans/4-13-16 "Romans 4:13-16 - The Promise is by Faith, Not Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 3:15 offers profound reassurance and a liberating perspective for believers today. In a world constantly shifting and where human agreements are often broken, this verse reminds us that God's promises are utterly reliable and immutable. Our standing with God is not based on our fluctuating performance, our adherence to a set of rules, or our ability to "add" to His perfect plan. Instead, it rests securely on His unchangeable covenant of grace, established long before any law and confirmed through the sacrifice of Christ. This truth should instill deep confidence and peace, freeing us from the anxiety of trying to earn God's favor or maintain our salvation through works. It calls us to rest in the finished work of Christ and to live in the freedom of His grace, trusting that what God has promised, He will surely perform.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the unchangeable nature of God's covenant impact your sense of security and peace in your relationship with Him?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Galatians, be tempted to "add to" God's confirmed covenant of grace through our own efforts or rules?**
* **How does Paul's analogy of a human will help you grasp the permanence of God's promise, and what practical implications does this have for your daily walk of faith?**

### FAQ
**What "covenant" is Paul referring to in Galatians 3:15?**

Answer: Paul is primarily referring to the Abrahamic Covenant, which God established with Abraham centuries before the Mosaic Law was given. This covenant, detailed in passages like [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham"), [Genesis 15](/genesis/15 "Genesis 15 - God's Covenant with Abraham"), and [Genesis 17](/genesis/17 "Genesis 17 - The Covenant of Circumcision"), promised Abraham numerous descendants, a land, and that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. Paul emphasizes that this promise was given by grace and received through faith, not by adherence to any law.

**How does this verse relate to the Mosaic Law?**

Answer: This verse is crucial for understanding the relationship between God's promise to Abraham and the Mosaic Law. Paul argues that since even a human will, once confirmed, cannot be altered or added to, neither can the Mosaic Law, which came 430 years after the promise [Galatians 3:17](/galatians/3-17 "Galatians 3:17 - The Law Does Not Annul the Promise"), invalidate or change God's prior covenant of promise. The Law's purpose was not to replace the promise or to provide an alternative means of salvation, but rather to highlight sin and lead people to Christ [Galatians 3:19-24](/galatians/3-19-24 "Galatians 3:19-24 - The Purpose of the Law").

**Does this mean the Law is useless or bad?**

Answer: No, Paul does not teach that the Law is useless or bad. In fact, he clarifies in [Galatians 3:21](/galatians/3-21 "Galatians 3:21 - Is the Law Against the Promises of God?") that the Law is "holy and righteous and good" [Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy"). However, its purpose was not to give life or to be a means of justification. Instead, it served as a "guardian" or "tutor" to lead people to Christ, revealing their sinfulness and their inability to perfectly keep God's standards, thus demonstrating their need for a Savior. The Law is good in its purpose, but it cannot nullify the promise of salvation by faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 3:15 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the promised "seed" of Abraham through whom all the nations of the earth are blessed [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed is Christ"). The unchangeable covenant of promise, which Paul so meticulously defends, is precisely the covenant of grace that God established, foreseeing that He would justify the Gentiles by faith. This promise culminates in Christ, who, by His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, ratified the new covenant in His blood [Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood"). Just as a human will is confirmed by the death of the testator, so the divine covenant of grace is confirmed and made eternally binding through the death and resurrection of Christ. He is the faithful mediator of this better covenant, securing its promises for all who believe [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant"). In Christ, all of God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ"), demonstrating that God's original, unalterable plan of salvation by grace through faith has been perfectly fulfilled in Him, rendering any attempt to add legalistic requirements utterly superfluous and contrary to the gospel.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.