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"Is the law then against the promises of God?"

Text: Galatians 3:21a

TENSION BETWEEN THE LAW AND THE PROMISES OF GOD

Paul understood that if poorly understood, real tension could arise between the law and the promises of God.

Is the law then against the promises of God?
Certainly not! For if there had been a law given
which could have given life, truly righteousness
would have been by the law.

Galatians 3:21

1. “Is the law then against the promises of God?”

a) The answer was given forthrightly.

b) The law was not against the promises of God.

c) They do not cancel each other out.

d) The law had its own place just as the promises of God (reference to the Covenant promise given to Abraham).

2. “If there had been a law given which could have given life”

a) The laws of God were meant to govern life in the Promised Land (Canaan).

b) But the children of Israel kept breaking the laws of God.

c) The laws had severe penalties.

d) The children of Israel were made subject to the penalties of the law.

e) The laws did not, in fact, could not “give life”.

3. “Truly righteousness would have been by the law”

a) The righteousness here is a reference to “justification”.

b) This is a reference to God imputing righteousness to Abraham because of his faith (Genesis 15:6).

c) Through this imputed righteousness Abraham obtained eternal life.

d) However the gift of eternal life was through the promise(s) of God and not through the law.

4. Paul’s regard for the law

a) He did not disregard it.

b) He sought to understand it by appreciating the purpose for which God gave the law.

c) He sought to strike a fine balance between the law and the promises of God.

d) In any case, the law cannot be exalted above the promises of God.

e) The law is to be respected but it has its limitations; it is unable to give eternal life.