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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Galatians 3:16–21

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.
Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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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
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    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.

From verse 19

  1. Acts 7:53Rank 1 from verse 19
    Open

    53Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

  2. Hebrews 2:2Rank 2 from verse 19
    Open

    2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

  3. Romans 7:7–13Rank 3 from verse 19
    Open

    7What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

    8But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

    9For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

    10And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

    11For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

    12Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

    13Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

  4. Galatians 3:16Rank 4 from verse 19
    Open

    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.

  5. 1 Timothy 1:8–9Rank 5 from verse 19
    Open

    8But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

    9Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

From verse 20

  1. 1 Timothy 2:5Rank 1 from verse 20
    Open

    5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

  2. Deuteronomy 6:4Rank 2 from verse 20
    Open

    4Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

  3. Hebrews 8:6Rank 3 from verse 20
    Open

    6But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

  4. Hebrews 9:15Rank 4 from verse 20
    Open

    15And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

  5. Job 9:33Rank 5 from verse 20
    Open

    33Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.

From verse 21

  1. Galatians 2:21Rank 1 from verse 21
    Open

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

  2. Romans 9:31Rank 2 from verse 21
    Open

    31But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

  3. Romans 3:20–22Rank 3 from verse 21
    Open

    20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

    21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

    22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

  4. Galatians 2:19Rank 4 from verse 21
    Open

    19For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

  5. Romans 10:3–6Rank 5 from verse 21
    Open

    3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

    4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

    5For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

    6But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

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

DEFINED WORDS

Galatians 3:19

COMBINED MEANING

wherefore

↗

1. For that reason, or as a conclusion from what precedes; therefore or consequently. 2. For what reason or purpose; why.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

added

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of add, meaning to join or put with something else; to increase by bringing or giving more.

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

COMBINED MEANING

till

↗

Sense 1: To cultivate, plough, dress, and work soil for crops. Sense 2: As a time or limit word, until, up to, or as far as the stated point, condition, or event.

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

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

whom

↗

The objective form of who, referring to the person or persons acted upon or related to.

Meaning drawn from: 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

made

↗

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

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

COMBINED MEANING

ordained

↗

Sense 1: Appointed or set apart to an office, work, purpose, or end. Sense 2: Established, decreed, ordered, prescribed, prepared, arranged, or settled.

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

COMBINED MEANING

angels

↗

Sense 1: Messengers. Sense 2: Heavenly or spiritual messengers, whether holy or fallen as stated.

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

hand

↗

Sense 1: The part of the body at the end of the arm. Sense 2: Figuratively, power, possession, aid, or agency.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mediator

↗

One who stands between parties; one through whom an agreement, covenant, or testament is conveyed or administered.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Galatians 3:20

COMBINED MEANING

mediator

↗

One who stands between parties; one through whom an agreement, covenant, or testament is conveyed or administered.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616 · 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

DEFINED WORDS

Galatians 3:21

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

against

↗

Opposed to, contrary to, facing, toward, or in contact with; in some settings, exposed to or ready for a stated time.

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

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

God forbid

↗

An emphatic expression of rejection, abhorrence, or denial: let it not be; certainly not.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

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

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

READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

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.

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

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

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

Selected passage

19Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Selected passage

20Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

Selected passage

21Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

Selected passage

22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

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