Galatians 3:15 – “Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul uses an everyday legal example to make a spiritual point. He refers to a human covenant (or contract), which, once properly established, cannot be changed or canceled. Everyone in Paul’s time understood this principle—once an agreement was made and legally confirmed, no one could later alter it.

Paul is applying this principle to God’s promise to Abraham. God made a covenant (a binding agreement) with Abraham, promising that through him, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). That promise was not based on the law, because the law came 430 years later (Galatians 3:17).

Paul’s argument is clear: If even a human covenant is permanent, how much more is God’s promise unchangeable? The blessing God gave to Abraham (justification by faith) cannot be set aside or altered by the law. Salvation was always meant to come through faith, not through keeping rules.

Historical Context

Many Jewish believers in Paul’s time thought that following the law of Moses was the key to being right with God. They viewed the law as central to their relationship with God and believed that obeying it was necessary for salvation.

However, Paul is reminding them that God’s promise to Abraham came long before the law. The covenant God made with Abraham was one of grace and faith—it was based on God’s promise, not on human obedience.

Paul’s opponents (the false teachers in Galatia) were arguing that faith in Jesus was not enough, and that Gentile Christians needed to follow the Jewish law. But Paul is proving that the law did not change God’s original promise. The law came later to reveal sin, not to replace the promise of salvation by faith.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches an important truth: God’s promises do not change.

1. Salvation has always been based on God’s promise, not human effort. The covenant with Abraham was about faith, not about law-keeping.
2. The law does not replace the promise. Many people think that the Old Testament is about works and the New Testament is about faith. But Paul is showing that faith was always the foundation of God’s plan—even before the law.
3. God’s covenant is unbreakable. Just as a legal contract in human terms cannot be altered once it is finalized, God’s covenant with Abraham remains intact. This means that the way to be made right with God has always been through faith, not by following rules.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s argument here is structured like a legal analogy. He appeals to common knowledge about human contracts to explain a divine reality. This makes his point easy to understand for both Jews and Gentiles.

• The phrase “let me take an example from everyday life” shows that Paul is trying to make his argument as simple as possible.
• The phrase “no one can set aside or add to a human covenant” emphasizes the unchangeable nature of a covenant.
• The final phrase, “so it is in this case”, applies this principle directly to God’s promise, making it clear that the law does not override God’s covenant with Abraham.

Paul is setting the stage for his next argument, which will explain that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.

Biblical Cross-References

• Genesis 12:3 – “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (God’s promise to Abraham, which cannot be changed.)
• Genesis 15:6 – “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Abraham was justified by faith, long before the law was given.)
• Galatians 3:17 – “The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.” (The law does not replace God’s promise to Abraham.)
• Romans 4:13-14 – “It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.” (Paul emphasizes that faith, not law, is the foundation of God’s promise.)
• Hebrews 6:17-18 – “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.” (God’s promises are unchangeable.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Many people today struggle with the idea that God’s grace is enough. They think they need to “add” something—whether it’s good works, religious rituals, or moral behavior—to be fully accepted by God.

Paul’s message is clear: God’s promise of salvation is unbreakable. It does not depend on human effort. If God has made a promise, it cannot be canceled, altered, or improved.

This is great news for believers today! It means that our standing with God is secure. We don’t have to fear that we will lose our salvation if we fail to live up to a set of rules. Just as Abraham’s righteousness was based on faith, our righteousness comes through faith in Jesus—and nothing can change that.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is shown in His faithfulness. Human beings often break promises, but God never does. When He made a covenant with Abraham, He meant it for all time.

This verse also shows that God’s love is based on grace, not performance. If salvation were based on works, we would always wonder if we were doing enough. But because salvation is based on God’s promise, we can have peace, knowing that He is faithful to His word.

God’s love is also seen in the fact that He makes salvation available to all people. The blessing of Abraham is not just for one nation—it is for everyone who believes in Christ.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse is a foundation for understanding how Jesus fulfills the promise to Abraham.

• Jesus is the offspring of Abraham through whom all nations are blessed (Galatians 3:16).
• Jesus fulfilled the law so that salvation could come by faith, not by works (Matthew 5:17).
• Through Jesus, the promise of the Holy Spirit is given to all believers (Galatians 3:14).
• Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross secured the covenant forever, just as God’s promise to Abraham was unbreakable (Luke 22:20).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why does Paul use a human covenant to explain God’s promise to Abraham?
2. How does this verse challenge the idea that salvation depends on obeying the law?
3. Why is it important that God’s promises are unchangeable?
4. How does this verse give you confidence in your relationship with God?
5. What does it mean for you personally that salvation is based on faith, not works?