Galatians 3:17

Covenant, that was confirmed. Paul here alludes to God’s assurances to Abraham of the certain fulfillment of the covenant promise concerning a “seed” (see on Gen. 15:13, 16; 22:15-17; Gal 3:16; Heb. 6:13-18).

In Christ. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the omission of these words.

The law. That is, the entire legal system under which Israel was constituted a theocracy at Mt. Sinai, including the moral law, which was proclaimed by God in person, and the ceremonial system promulgated through Moses.

Four hundred and thirty years. See Vol. I, p. 184. This period spans the interval from God’s original call to Abraham, to the establishment of Israel as a nation at the time of the Exodus (see on Gen. 12:3, 4; see on Ex. 12:40). This was the time of sojourn, first in Canaan and then in Egypt, between the promise to make of the Hebrews a nation and to establish them in the land of Canaan, and the fulfillment of that promises. Paul is here concerned particularly with the covenant promise at the beginning of the period and the giving of the law at its close, the law under which Israel was to function as a theocracy until the crucifixion (see DA 737, 738).

Cannot disannul. See on v. 15.

Make the promise. The legal system ordained by God at Mt. Sinai (see p. 933; see on ch. 2:16) cannot replace, or in any wise alter, the provisions of the covenant (see on ch. 3:15). Specifically, “the law” did not provide a new means of salvation; it did not establish a system of righteousness by works to take the place of, or to compete with, the promise of righteousness by faith in the coming Messiah (vs. 6-8, 14). Accordingly, men were saved by faith between Sinai and the cross. For the relation of the law to the covenant see on v. 19.