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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 3:18 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/3-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/48_Gal_03_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 3:18 - The Purpose of the Law" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/3-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/3-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/3-17.htm" title="Galatians 3:17">◄</a> Galatians 3:18 <a href="/galatians/3-19.htm" title="Galatians 3:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/galatians/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/galatians/3.htm">New International Version</a> For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. <a href="/nlt/galatians/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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. <a href="/esv/galatians/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. <a href="/bsb/galatians/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/blb/galatians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For if the inheritance is by the Law, it is no longer by a promise. But God has granted it to Abraham through a promise. <a href="/kjv/galatians/3.htm">King James Bible</a> For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. <a href="/nkjv/galatians/3.htm">New King James Version</a> For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. <a href="/nasb_/galatians/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nasb/galatians/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> 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. <a href="/nasb77/galatians/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> 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. <a href="/lsb/galatians/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For if the inheritance is by law, it is no longer by promise, but God has granted it to Abraham through promise. <a href="/amp/galatians/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> 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. <a href="/csb/galatians/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise. <a href="/asv/galatians/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise. <a href="/cev/galatians/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> 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. <a href="/erv/galatians/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise. <a href="/gwt/galatians/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> If we have to gain the inheritance by following those laws, then it no longer comes to us because of the promise. However, God freely gave the inheritance to Abraham through a promise. <a href="/gnt/galatians/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> 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. <a href="/isv/galatians/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> For if the inheritance comes about through the Law, it no longer comes about through the promise. But it was through a promise that God so graciously gave it to Abraham. <a href="/msb/galatians/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/galatians/3.htm">NET Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nheb/galatians/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise. <a href="/wbt/galatians/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For if the inheritance is by the law, it is no more by promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. <a href="/wey/galatians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> 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. <a href="/web/galatians/3.htm">World English Bible</a> For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for if the inheritance [is] by law, [it is] no longer by promise, but God granted [it] to Abraham through promise. <a href="/blb/galatians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For if the inheritance is by the Law, it is no longer by a promise. But God has granted it to Abraham through a promise. <a href="/ylt/galatians/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for if by law be the inheritance, it is no more by promise, but to Abraham through promise did God grant it. <a href="/slt/galatians/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For if of the law the inheritance, no more of promise: and God has favored Abraham by promise.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For if the inheritance is of the law, then it is no longer of the promise. But God bestowed it to Abraham through the promise. <a href="/nabre/galatians/3.htm">New American Bible</a> For if the inheritance comes from the law, it is no longer from a promise; but God bestowed it on Abraham through a promise. <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> 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. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But if the inheritance is by The Written Law, it would therefore not be from The Promise to Abraham, but God gave it to him by The Promise.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For if the inheritance be by law, it is no longer by promise: but God bestowed it on Abraham by promise.<CM> <a href="/godbey/galatians/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For if the inheritance were by law, it is no more by promise: but God gave it to Abraham through the promise. <a href="/haweis/galatians/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more by promise; but to Abraham God gave it freely by promise.<CM> <a href="/mace/galatians/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> 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. <a href="/wey/galatians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> 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. <a href="/worrell/galatians/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For, if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God has freely given it to Abraham through promise. <a href="/worsley/galatians/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For if the inheritance be from the law, it is no more from the promise: whereas God gave it to Abraham by promise. <a href="/parallel/galatians/3-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=592" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/galatians/3.htm">The Purpose of the Law</a> …17What 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. 18<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2817.htm" title="2817: klēronomia (N-NFS) -- From kleronomos; heirship, i.e. a patrimony or a possession.">inheritance</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">depends on</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomou (N-GMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">the law,</a> <a href="/greek/3765.htm" title="3765: ouketi (Adv) -- No longer, no more. Also ouk eti from ou and eti; not yet, no longer.">then it no longer</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ex (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">depends on</a> <a href="/greek/1860.htm" title="1860: epangelias (N-GFS) -- A promise. From epaggello; an announcement.">a promise;</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/5483.htm" title="5483: kecharistai (V-RIM/P-3S) -- (a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness. ">freely granted it</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-DMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">to Abraham</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: di’ (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">through</a> <a href="/greek/1860.htm" title="1860: epangelias (N-GFS) -- A promise. From epaggello; an announcement.">a promise.</a> 19Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Romans 4:13</a> For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. <a href="/romans/4-14.htm">Romans 4:14</a> For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless, <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Romans 4:16</a> Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. <a href="/romans/8-17.htm">Romans 8:17</a> And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. <a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a> For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast. <a href="/hebrews/6-12.htm">Hebrews 6:12</a> Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. <a href="/hebrews/6-17.htm">Hebrews 6:17</a> So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath. <a href="/hebrews/9-15.htm">Hebrews 9:15</a> Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. <a href="/titus/3-7.htm">Titus 3:7</a> so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life. <a href="/2_timothy/1-9.htm">2 Timothy 1:9</a> He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began. <a href="/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7</a> Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. <a href="/genesis/13-15.htm">Genesis 13:15</a> for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever. <a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Genesis 15:18</a> On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates— <a href="/genesis/17-8.htm">Genesis 17:8</a> And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.” <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17-18</a> I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. / And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.if.<a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10,12,26,29</a> For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them… <a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Galatians 2:21</a> I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.<a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Romans 4:13-16</a> 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… but.<a href="/galatians/3-16.htm">Galatians 3:16</a> 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.<a href="/psalms/105-6.htm">Psalm 105:6-12,42</a> O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen… <a href="/micah/7-18.htm">Micah 7:18-20</a> Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/3-16.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/galatians/3-12.htm">Based</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-18.htm">Dependent</a> <a href="/romans/12-18.htm">Depends</a> <a href="/galatians/3-4.htm">Fact</a> <a href="/romans/13-10.htm">Fulfilment</a> <a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/romans/15-5.htm">Grant</a> <a href="/galatians/1-3.htm">Granted</a> <a href="/romans/8-17.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/acts/26-18.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/galatians/3-17.htm">Law</a> <a href="/galatians/2-6.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/galatians/2-17.htm">Means</a> <a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Obedience</a> <a href="/galatians/3-12.htm">Principle</a> <a href="/galatians/3-17.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/galatians/1-6.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-12.htm">Based</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-16.htm">Dependent</a> <a href="/galatians/3-22.htm">Depends</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-21.htm">Fact</a> <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Fulfilment</a> <a href="/galatians/5-4.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-16.htm">Grant</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-2.htm">Granted</a> <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Law</a> <a href="/galatians/4-18.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Means</a> <a href="/galatians/5-8.htm">Obedience</a> <a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Principle</a> <a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/galatians/5-14.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 3</div>1. <a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">He asks what moved them to leave the faith, and hold onto the law.</a> 6. <a href="/galatians/3-6.htm">Those who believe are justified,</a> 9. <a href="/galatians/3-9.htm">and blessed with Abraham.</a> 10. <a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">And this he shows by many reasons.</a> 15. <a href="/galatians/3-15.htm">The purpose of the Law</a> 26. <a href="/galatians/3-26.htm">You are sons of God</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/galatians/3.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>For if the inheritance The term "inheritance" in this context refers to the blessings and promises of God, particularly the promise of salvation and eternal life. In the Greek, the word "κληρονομία" (klēronomia) is used, which denotes a possession or a portion received as an heir. This concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where inheritance often referred to the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. Spiritually, it signifies the eternal blessings promised to believers, emphasizing that these blessings are not earned but are a gift from God.depends on the law The "law" here refers to the Mosaic Law, which includes the commandments and ordinances given to Israel. The Greek word "νόμος" (nomos) is used, which can mean law, principle, or custom. Paul is addressing the Judaizers' claim that adherence to the law is necessary for salvation. Historically, the law was given to guide Israel and reveal sin, but it was never intended as a means of salvation. This phrase challenges the notion that human effort or obedience to the law can secure God's promises.then it no longer depends on a promise The "promise" is central to Paul's argument. The Greek word "ἐπαγγελία" (epangelia) signifies a pledge or assurance given by God. The promise to Abraham was given long before the law and was based on faith, not works. This phrase underscores the contrast between law and promise, highlighting that God's promises are unconditional and based on His faithfulness, not human merit.but God freely granted it to Abraham The phrase "freely granted" comes from the Greek "κεχάρισται" (kecharistai), which means to give graciously or as a favor. This emphasizes the grace of God in bestowing the promise to Abraham. Historically, Abraham's relationship with God was marked by faith and trust, not by adherence to the law, which came centuries later. This highlights the nature of God's grace—unearned and freely given.through a promise The promise to Abraham, as recorded in Genesis, was that he would be the father of many nations and that through his seed, all nations would be blessed. This promise was fulfilled in Christ, who is the ultimate seed of Abraham. The use of "promise" here reiterates that God's covenant with Abraham was based on faith and divine assurance, not on human effort or legalistic adherence. This serves as a powerful reminder that the blessings of God are accessed through faith in His promises, not through the works of the law.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) The fulfilment of the promise is unaffected by the Law. For it is not dependent upon the Law, or upon the Law and the promise combined (the Law modifying the promise), but upon the promise alone. The Law does not come in at all. Law and promise--in other words, contract and free gift--are incompatible ideas. But the land of Canaan was promised to Abraham as a free gift, and as a free gift the spiritual Canaan is thrown open to his spiritual descendants.The inheritance.--In the first instance, the temporal inheritance of the land of Canaan; but here understood of the spiritual blessings of the Messianic kingdom.Gave it.--In the original a strong word: God hath freely given it. There is an antithesis to the idea of "covenant" or "contract," in which both parties have to perform a part. The promise was given by God to Abraham freely, gratuitously, unfettered by any engagement on his side by the non-fulfilment of which it might be made void.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 18. - For if the inheritance be of the Law, it is no more of promise (εἰ γὰρ ἐκ νόμου ἡ κληρονομία [or, οὐκ ἔτι] ἐξ ἐπαγγελίας); for if from a Law the inheritance accrues, it accrues no longer from a promise. The two nouns "Law" and "promise" have no article, being regarded here in their several characteristic principles, which were not only diverse, but contrary. The Law says, "The man that doeth these things shall live by them;" and this while enforcing a great variety of minute positive principles by severe threats and penalties. The promise bestows of free grace without works. The promised bestowment is here styled "inheritance," because received by Abraham's seed as his heirs (see ver. 29 and <a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">Galatians 4:1</a>). In the Old Testament it is a favourite designation of the land of Canaan; as e.g. in <a href="/psalms/105-11.htm">Psalm 105:11</a>. Here it relates to a spiritual possession. Οὐκέτι seems preferred by editors of the text, when used logically, as if it were, It no longer appears to be (so <a href="/romans/7-17.htm">Romans 7:17</a>; <a href="/romans/11-6.htm">Romans 11:6</a>); whereas οὐκ ἔτι might be referred to a change which took place at the time when the Law was given. But God gave it to Abraham by promise (τῷ δὲ Ἀβραὰμ δι ἐπαγγελίας κεχάρισται ὁ Θεός); but God hath freely given it to Abraham by promise. The verb χαρίζομαι emphatically marks a gilt as freely and lavishly bestowed (compare its use in <a href="/romans/8-32.htm">Romans 8:32</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/2-12.htm">1 Corinthians 2:12</a>). The perfect tense points to the now and evermore enduring effect of the promise. The position of ὁ Θεὸς is emphatic - God, no less than he! (comp. <a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a>). The march of this sentence, with which the apostle closes up this paragraph of the discussion, gives, as it stands in the Greek, the reader to feel the apostle's soul dilating with wonder cud delight as he gives expression to the two notions - the gracious freeness of the gift, and the Divine personality of the Giver. The mention here of Abraham alone, without "his seed," is perhaps due to the apostle's sense of the long priority of this guaranteed bestowment to the giving of the Law. In appreciating the tone of the passage, we must not lose sight of the venerableness of this personage, the primordial father, not only of the Hebrew race, but of all believers in Christ to the end of the world. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/3-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. if εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. inheritance κληρονομία (klēronomia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2817.htm">Strong's 2817: </a> From kleronomos; heirship, i.e. a patrimony or a possession. depends on ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. [the] Law, νόμου (nomou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. [then it] no longer οὐκέτι (ouketi) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3765.htm">Strong's 3765: </a> No longer, no more. Also ouk eti from ou and eti; not yet, no longer. depends on ἐξ (ex) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. a promise; ἐπαγγελίας (epangelias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1860.htm">Strong's 1860: </a> A promise. From epaggello; an announcement. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. God Θεός (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. freely granted [it] κεχάρισται (kecharistai) Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5483.htm">Strong's 5483: </a> (a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness. to Abraham Ἀβραὰμ (Abraam) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_11.htm">Strong's 11: </a> Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch. through δι’ (di’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. a promise. ἐπαγγελίας (epangelias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1860.htm">Strong's 1860: </a> A promise. From epaggello; an announcement. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/3-18.htm">Galatians 3:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/3-18.htm">Galatians 3:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/3-18.htm">Galatians 3:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/3-18.htm">Galatians 3:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/3-18.htm">Galatians 3:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/3-18.htm">Galatians 3:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/3-18.htm">Galatians 3:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/3-18.htm">Galatians 3:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/3-18.htm">Galatians 3:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/3-18.htm">Galatians 3:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/3-18.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 3:18 For if the inheritance (Gal. 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