King James Version

What Does Galatians 3:18 Mean?

Galatians 3:18 in the King James Version says “For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.” — study this verse from Galatians chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Galatians 3:18 · KJV

Context

16

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.

17

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.

18

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

19

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.

20

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

Read Galatians 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Paul contrasts two mutually exclusive systems: Law versus promise. 'The inheritance' (hē klēronomia, ἡ κληρονομία) refers to the promised blessings—righteousness, Spirit, sonship, the land, eternal life. 'If the inheritance be of the law' (ei ek nomou, εἰ ἐκ νόμου)—if the source is Law—'it is no more of promise' (ouketi ek epangelias, οὐκέτι ἐξ ἐπαγγελίας): promise and Law are incompatible origins. The adverb ouketi (οὐκέτι)—'no longer'—implies a logical exclusion: if one, then not the other.

The decisive statement: 'but God gave it to Abraham by promise' (tō de Abraam di' epangelias kecharistai ho theos, τῷ δὲ Ἀβραὰμ δι' ἐπαγγελίας κεχάρισται ὁ θεός). The verb kecharistai (κεχάρισται)—perfect tense of charizomai (χαρίζομαι)—means 'freely gave as a gift of grace.' The perfect tense indicates an abiding reality: God's grace-gift to Abraham remains in effect. The inheritance came not through Law-obedience but through grace-promise, and that remains the only basis.

Paul's point: you cannot mix systems. If inheritance is by Law, it's not by promise; but since God gave it by promise, it cannot be by Law. The Judaizers' theology was incoherent—they wanted Law-based inheritance while claiming the Abrahamic promise. Paul insists: choose one—and Scripture clearly shows God chose promise, not Law. Romans 4:13-16 develops this same argument: the promise to Abraham was by grace through faith, not by Law.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The 'inheritance' in Abrahamic theology included the Promised Land (Genesis 12:7, 13:15, 15:18, 17:8), innumerable descendants (Genesis 15:5, 17:4-6), and blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:3, 22:18). Jewish theology saw Law-observance as the condition for retaining the land/inheritance; Paul insists the inheritance is by promise-grace, not Law-performance. Hebrews 6:12-18 and 9:15 similarly emphasize that believers inherit the promise through faith. The inheritance is not earned but freely given by God's gracious promise.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does verse 18's contrast between Law and promise expose the incoherence of any 'Jesus plus works' gospel?
  2. What does the verb 'gave' (perfect tense: *kecharistai*, 'freely gave as a grace-gift') reveal about the nature of God's covenant with Abraham?
  3. In what areas of your Christian life might you be trying to 'earn the inheritance' through Law-performance rather than rest in God's grace-gift by promise?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
εἰ1 of 17

“if”

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

γὰρ2 of 17

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἐξ3 of 17

“be of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

νόμου4 of 17

“the law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

ἡ5 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κληρονομία6 of 17

“the inheritance”

G2817

heirship, i.e., (concretely) a patrimony or (genitive case) a possession

οὐκέτι7 of 17
G3765

not yet, no longer

ἐξ8 of 17

“be of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ἐπαγγελίας9 of 17

“promise”

G1860

an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)

τῷ10 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ11 of 17

“but”

G1161

but, and, etc

Ἀβραὰμ12 of 17

“it to Abraham”

G11

abraham, the hebrew patriarch

δι'13 of 17

“by”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

ἐπαγγελίας14 of 17

“promise”

G1860

an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)

κεχάρισται15 of 17

“gave”

G5483

to grant as a favor, i.e., gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue

ὁ16 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεός17 of 17

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Galatians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Galatians 3:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Galatians 3:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 4:13-16Hebrews 6:12-15Galatians 2:21Psalms 105:42Psalms 105:6-12Galatians 3:29

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