GALATIANS 3:15-17 GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES

GALATIANS 3:15-17  Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.

NSB* - Covenant here probably means a "last will and testament", which is unchangeable after it is confirmed. Most of the uses of the word in the New Testament refer to a solemn agreement or contract God made with His people. 

Manner Of Men; Manner here is A primary particle; (preposition) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case [genitive, dative or accusative] with which it is joined). "according to," is translated "after the manner" in John 2:6, i.e., "in accordance with;" in Romans 3:5; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 9:8, RV, "after the manner of". The Greek word is κατά kata. Vine's (def D-1), Strong's G2596.

Definition References - Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)

1 Corinthians 3:3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

1 Corinthians 9:8 Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also?

Covenant; Thayer denotes - 1) a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid, the last disposition which one makes of his earthly possessions after his death, a testament or will 2) a compact, a covenant, a testament 2a) God's covenant with Noah, etc. Vine's defines it as a promise or undertaking, human or Divine. The Greek word is διαθήκη diathēkē. Vine's (def A-1a), Strong's G1242

Cross Reference: Hebrews 9:17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.

Moving to Verse 16. 

Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 

NSB - Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the covenant (v.15) God made with Abraham. Although in one sense all Jews are the physical seed of Abraham, Jesus Christ is the final focus of God's promises, the ultimate Seed. Christians are the spiritual seed of Abraham. Galatians 3:29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Seed; akin to speiro, to sow" (Eng., "sperm," "spermatic," etc.). Here the word is used of natural offspring. The Greek word is σπέρμα sperma. Vine's (def 1), Strong's G4690. My notes - in the second part of 3:16, Paul shifts to how we are the spiritual seed of Jesus Christ. So although we are not His seed in the traditional physical sense, we are in the spiritual sense. 

Cross References: Genesis 22:18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Genesis 12:7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

Genesis 13:15 for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.

Genesis 24:7 he Lord God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.

1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

Moving to Verse 17. 

Galatians 3:17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.

Annul; The King James uses the word "disannul", it is used of the inability of the Law to deprive of force God's covenant with Abraham. This verb stresses the effect of the act. The Greek word is ἀκυρόω akuroō. Vine's (def A2), Strong's G208.

Confirmed; to sanction, ratify, or establish beforehand. Divine confirmation of a promise given originally to Abraham, Gen. 12, and "confirmed" by the vision of the furnace and torch, Gen. 15, by the birth of Isaac, Gen. 21, and by the oath of God, Gen. 22, all before the giving of the Law. The Greek word is προκυρόω prokuroō. Vine's (def A-4), Strong's G4300. Note - Vine's has this under "confirm". 

Promise; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good). The Greek word used here is ἐπαγγελία epaggelia. Strong's G1860.

Exodus 12:40 Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years.

Romans 4:13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Takeaway - God keeps His promises. 

NSB* = Nelson Study Bible.