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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Galatians 3:16–18

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
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.
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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3 selected · 7 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

15 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 16

  1. Genesis 17:7–8Rank 1 from verse 16
    Open

    7And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

    8And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

  2. Romans 4:13Rank 2 from verse 16
    Open

    13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

  3. Luke 1:55Rank 3 from verse 16
    Open

    55As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

  4. Genesis 22:17–18Rank 4 from verse 16
    Open

    17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

    18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

  5. Galatians 3:27–29Rank 5 from verse 16
    Open

    27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

    28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

    29And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

From verse 17

  1. Exodus 12:40–41Rank 1 from verse 17
    Open

    40¶ Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.

    41And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.

  2. Genesis 15:13Rank 2 from verse 17
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    13And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

  3. Hebrews 11:39–40Rank 3 from verse 17
    Open

    39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

    40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

  4. Romans 4:13–14Rank 4 from verse 17
    Open

    13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

    14For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

  5. 2 Corinthians 1:20Rank 5 from verse 17
    Open

    20For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

From verse 18

  1. Romans 4:13–16Rank 1 from verse 18
    Open

    13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

    14For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

    15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

    16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

  2. Galatians 2:21Rank 2 from verse 18
    Open

    21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

  3. Hebrews 6:12–15Rank 3 from verse 18
    Open

    12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

    13For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

    14Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

    15And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

  4. Psalms 105:42Rank 4 from verse 18
    Open

    42For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.

  5. Galatians 3:29Rank 5 from verse 18
    Open

    29And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Galatians 3:16

COMBINED MEANING

Abraham

↗

The patriarch formerly named Abram, whom God appointed to be a father of many nations.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

seed

↗

Sense 1: The reproductive substance of a plant or creature, especially what is sown to produce after its kind. Sense 2: Offspring, descendants, or lineage. Sense 3: A beginning, source, or thing sown that produces a result.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

promises

↗

Sense 1: Assurances or pledges that something will be done or given. Sense 2: As a verb, gives such an assurance or pledge.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Christ

↗

The Anointed One; the same title as Messias.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Galatians 3:17

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

covenant

↗

Sense 1: A binding agreement, promise, pledge, or appointed order. Sense 2: The stated words, terms, testimony, or written record of such an agreement or promise.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Christ

↗

The Anointed One; the same title as Messias.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thirty

↗

The number equal to three tens, following twenty-nine and preceding thirty-one.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

should

↗

A verb expressing duty, propriety, expectation, intention, purpose, condition, appointed outcome, or a future event viewed from another time or statement.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

make

↗

To form, create, produce, cause, appoint, perform, or render into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

promise

↗

Sense 1: An assurance or pledge that something will be done or given. Sense 2: That which is promised. Sense 3: To give such an assurance or pledge.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

effect

↗

Sense 1: A result, force, or accomplished outcome. Sense 2: To bring something to pass.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Galatians 3:18

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

inheritance

↗

A possession, portion, or heritage received by descent, allotment, promise, or divine gift.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

promise

↗

Sense 1: An assurance or pledge that something will be done or given. Sense 2: That which is promised. Sense 3: To give such an assurance or pledge.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

gave

↗

1. Bestowed, delivered, or granted. 2. Caused or appointed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

Abraham

↗

The patriarch formerly named Abram, whom God appointed to be a father of many nations.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Galatians 3:1–18

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

3:1O FOOLISH Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

3:2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3:3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

3:4Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

3:5He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3:6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

3:7Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

3:8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

3:9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

3:11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

3:12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

3:13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

3:14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

3:15Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

3:16Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Selected passage

3:17And 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.

Selected passage

3:18For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Selected passage

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