1. Galatians 3:18 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is the inheritance?

Galatians 3:18 (ESV)

18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

In the Old Testament, inheritance refers to the land which God pledged to Abraham (Genesis 15:3–5; Genesis 17:8; Genesis 21:10; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 28:4). This land anticipated all of creation (Psalm 22:27–28; Psalm 47:7–9; Psalm 72:8–11; Zephaniah 3:9–10) and ultimately, life in a new creation (Hebrews 11:10, Hebrews 11:13–16; Hebrews 13:14; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1 – 22:5). Inheritance thus refers to eschatological salvation, eternal life in God’s presence.1