Galatians 3:17

What 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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Galatian churches to clarify the relationship between the Mosaic law and God’s earlier commitment to Abraham. He speaks at a moment when opponents are elevating legal observance above the foundational promise.

The words — διαθήκην (diathēkēn) = covenant; προκεκυρωμένην (prokekurōmenēn) = confirmed beforehand. These terms anchor the verse’s claim that a prior divine agreement remains legally binding.

The thread — The 430-year interval matches the Exodus 12:40 timeline and echoes the stranger-in-a-land warning of Genesis 15:13. Paul later reiterates this promise-law sequence in Romans 4:13.

Why it lands — A reader must recognize that a subsequent legal code cannot cancel a settled divine promise. The text demands prioritizing the original grant over later regulatory additions.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

Cross-references

Genesis 15:13 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.
Exodus 12:40 Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years.
Romans 4:13 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.
Hebrews 11:39 These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God.
Hebrews 6:13 When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,
Romans 3:3 What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?
Isaiah 14:27 The LORD of Hosts has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is outstretched, so who can turn it back?
John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.