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

What does Paul hope to emphasize about the coming of 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 Abrahamic covenant, faith in God’s promise is of the essence when it comes to receiving the inheritance (Galatians 3:6–9; Galatians 3:26–29). In the Mosaic covenant, human obedience is emphasized (Galatians 3:12).1 If human obedience was able to procure life in God’s presence (inheritance), then God’s promise to Abraham is unnecessary and void. However, since perfect obedience to the law is not possible for sinful human beings, the final inheritance must be a gift of God’s grace,2 a gift received by faith in Jesus Christ.3