Galatians Chapter 6 - Boast only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ

 Gal 6:1-3: "Brethren, if a man should be precipitated, also, in some offense, you, who are spiritual, be attuning such a one, in a spirit of meekness, noting yourself, that you, also, may not be tried. Bear one another's burdens, and thus fill up the law of Christ. For if anyone is supposing himself to be anything, being nothing, he is imposing on himself."

A believer should know his flesh is weak, as they were saved by the cross of Christ alone with nothing contributed by themselves.  Knowing this prepares one to deal with an offending brother in a meek way, bearing one another’s burdens.

Gal 6:4-8: "Now let each one be testing his own work, and then he shall be having his boast for himself alone, and not for another, for each one shall be bearing his own load. Now let him who is being instructed in the word be contributing to him who is instructing, in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not to be sneered at, for whatsoever a man may be sowing, this shall he be reaping also, for he who is sowing for his own flesh, from the flesh shall be reaping corruption, yet he who is sowing for the spirit, from the spirit shall be reaping life eonian."

Each member of the body of Christ has their own, God ordained purpose to serve within the body (1 Cor 12:11-26).  I think testing one’s own work to be sowing for the spirit can be summarized here: Phil 1:9-11: "And this I am praying, that your love may be superabounding still more and more in realization and all sensibility, for you to be testing what things are of consequence, that you may be sincere and no stumbling block for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that is through Jesus Christ for the glory and laud of God."  Testing what is of consequence…what props up the evangel and gives glory to God and Christ in what they have done for all?

I think I need to address something that may be coming into the thoughts of some: does falling from grace or “reaping corruption” result in one losing their salvation (eonian life)?  It can’t possibly be.  If one could lose this, the eonian life promised to believers would never have been of grace to begin with.  If one could lose this, the reality would be that salvation depends on works, which is completely contrary to Paul’s evangel and what he is defending here in this letter.  What one can “lose” are rewards (allotment, Gal 5:21) at the dais of Christ and reigning with Christ in the coming eons (2 Cor 5:10).  2Tim 2:12-13: "if we are enduring, we shall be reigning together also; if we are disowning, He also will be disowning us; if we are disbelieving, He is remaining faithful -- He cannot disown Himself."   Believers are sealed with the holy spirit of promise (Eph 1:13, 4:30) into the body of Christ; Christ cannot disown himself.  When Paul says “disowning us” in 2 Tim 2:12 above, it is the loss of reigning, not of eonian life.  Notice that once sealed, even if we disbelieve, Christ remains faithful. This topic deserves its own blog, but I felt like it should be briefly addressed here.

Gal 6:9-10: "Now we may not be despondent in ideal doing, for in due season we shall be reaping, if we do not faint. Consequently, then, as we have occasion, we are working for the good of all, yet specially for the family of faith."

Ideal doing is good for all, the believer, for other believers and unbelievers alike.  God will lead us in the ideal.

Gal 6:11-13: "Lo! with what size letters I write to you with my own hand! Whoever are wanting to put on a fair face in the flesh, these are compelling you to circumcise only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ Jesus. For not even they who are circumcising are maintaining law, but they want you to be circumcised that they should be boasting in that flesh of yours."

Remember what Paul said back in Chapter 2:17? “Now if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ, consequently, a dispenser of sin? May it not be coming to that!”  Those who seek to be justified in Christ, may look like “sinners”. They are not focused on sin, they are dead to it (Rom 6:11).  They aren’t trying to fix themselves or put on a good show (putting on a fair face in the flesh).  Religion and churches are full of people boasting in their flesh, in their ability to be “good people” or “follow Jesus’s commandments”.  Pastors boast over how well their congregations behave or help the community.  Being persecuted for the cross of Christ Jesus results from boasting in the cross alone, which is Paul’s message…

Gal 6:14-15: "Now may it not be mine to be boasting, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything, but a new creation."

2Cor 5:14-15: "For the love of Christ is constraining us, judging this, that, if One died for the sake of all, consequently all died. And He died for the sake of all that those who are living should by no means still be living to themselves, but to the One dying and being roused for their sakes."  We can boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, as He died for all.  All died, and therefore:  "knowing this, that our old humanity was crucified together with Him, that the body of Sin may be nullified, for us by no means to be still slaving for Sin, for one who dies has been justified from Sin."(Rom 6:6).  All are justified from sin, therefore:  "So that we, from now on, are acquainted with no one according to flesh. Yet even if we have known Christ according to flesh, nevertheless now we know Him so no longer. So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the primitive passed by. Lo! there has come new!" (2 Cor 5:16-17).  Live in the new creation, we have been crucified to the world and can live “to the One dying and being roused for our sakes”.

Gal 6:16: "And whoever shall observe the elements by this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, also on the Israel of God."

Notice the distinction between those in the body of Christ (those who “observe the elements by this rule”) and the Israel of God, whom were faithful Israelites of the circumcision.  This is perfectly in line with the beginning of this letter, in which Paul demonstrates the difference between his evangel and that of the circumcision.

Gal 6:17-18: "For the rest, let no one afford me weariness, for I am bearing in my body the brand marks of the Lord Jesus Christ. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren! Amen!"

Paul bore the marks of being persecuted for the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ: "And all who are wanting to live devoutly in Christ Jesus shall be persecuted." 2 Tim 3:12.  Living devoutly in Christ Jesus is (as was laid out in this letter) seeking to be justified in Christ, boasting in the cross of Christ alone.  Paul ends this letter like he began it, extending grace and peace.  

Galatians Chapter 5 - “For freedom Christ frees us!”

 Gal 5:1: "For freedom Christ frees us! Stand firm, then, and be not again enthralled with the yoke of slavery."

Man, I love this now that I understand it.  When I was in christianity (most of my life) I was under a yoke of slavery imposed by those who claimed to be spokesmen for God and Christ.  “Believe, and God will save you” they said, “Do this for God and He will be pleased”.  This is contrary to the true evangel and just more of the “elements of the world”.  The truth is God through Christ has saved you, just believe it.  God has already set you free, just believe it and rest in the freedom!

Gal 5:2-4: "Lo! I, Paul, am saying to you that if you should be circumcising, Christ will benefit you nothing. Now I am attesting again to every man who is circumcising, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Exempted from Christ were you who are being justified in law. You fall out of grace."

Seeking to fix yourself or show yourself righteous through a work of the flesh is counter to grace.  The fact is that we are “justified gratuitously in His grace” (Rom 3:24) through Christ’s death, entombment and resurrection (1 Cor 15:1-4).  If one then seeks to perfect themselves through law, they will fall out of grace. 

Gal 5:5-6: "For we, in spirit, are awaiting the expectation of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision is availing anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith, operating through love."

Rom 4:5: "Yet to him who is not working, yet is believing on Him Who is justifying the irreverent, his faith is reckoned for righteousness."  See also Gal 3:6. Believe God, who says He justifies the irreverent (while you are still a sinner Rom 5:8).  He does not justify after you accomplish an act, such as “making a decision for Christ” or “asking Jesus into your heart”.  He saved you before you were even capable of making such a decision. 

Gal 5:7-9: "You raced ideally! Who hinders you not to be persuaded by the truth? This persuasion is not of Him Who is calling you. A little leaven is leavening the whole kneading."

When the Galatians initially heard the truth from Paul, they believed and raced ideally, according to the truth in Christ Jesus.  The judaizers were beguiling the Galatians with persuasive words (Col 2:4, see also the rest of chapter 2 in which Paul is warning against this).  God is not calling the members of the body of Christ to perform for Him, on the contrary, He calls them into believing in what He has already done.  Paul doesn’t put up with false teaching that compromises the evangel, a little bit of lies spreads and turns the evangel into one that is no evangel at all.  Throughout Paul’s ministry, he defended the truth without compromise: Tit 1:10-11: "For many are insubordinate, vain praters and imposters, especially those of the Circumcision, who must be gagged, who are subverting whole households, teaching what they must not, on behalf of sordid gain."

Gal 5:10-11: "I have confidence in you in the Lord that in nothing you will be disposed otherwise. Now he who is disturbing you shall be bearing his judgment, whosoever he may be. Now I, brethren, if I am still heralding circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? Consequently the snare of the cross of Christ has been nullified."

Telling someone to be circumcised for God does not bring persecution, nor does promoting any other works based righteousness.  All of the religions of the world tell its adherents to “do things for god”, this includes christianity, which is the most deceptive of all as it has stolen the name of God and Christ.  The “snare of the cross of Christ” is this, that the justification, conciliation and eventual vivification of all was accomplished at the cross, with no effort at all from the ones benefiting from this work done by Christ.  Religionists do not believe this, and they persecute those that do.

Gal 5:12: "Would that those who are raising you to insurrection struck themselves off also!"

Paul gets a bit graphic here, saying that the judaizers might as well cut off their entire male member, if circumcision is that important.  God might be more pleased if they removed it entirely!

Gal 5:13-15: "For you were called for freedom, brethren, only use not the freedom for an incentive to the flesh, but through love be slaving for one another. For the entire law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your associate as yourself." Now if you are biting and devouring one another, beware that you may not be consumed by one another."

Believers are free in Christ, and realization of this freedom in Christ, and realization of the love and grace of God and Christ for the believer leads one to love others.  Attempts to follow the law do not lead to love, go down to your local church and get on the gossip train for real life proof of this.

Gal 5:16: "Now I am saying, Walk in spirit, and you should under no circumstances be consummating the lust of the flesh."

What does walking in spirit look like?  Like this: Rom 8:1-4: "Nothing, consequently, is now condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. Not according to flesh are they walking, but according to spirit, for the spirit's law of life in Christ Jesus frees you from the law of sin and death. For what was impossible to the law, in which it was infirm through the flesh, did God, sending His own Son in the likeness of sin's flesh and concerning sin, He condemns sin in the flesh, that the just requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who are not walking in accord with flesh, but in accord with spirit."  Believing God’s testimony about what He has done through Christ is walking in spirit.  Understanding that nothing can condemn you because you have been justified gratuitously in His grace (Rom 3:24) and you are free from the law of sin and death.  You have God’s righteousness and are justified (Rom 3:21-28),  you have not been merely atoned for or forgiven.  How can one with God’s righteousness be condemned?

Gal 5:17-21: "For the flesh is lusting against the spirit, yet the spirit against the flesh. Now these are opposing one another, lest you should be doing whatever you may want. Now, if you are led by spirit, you are not still under law. Now apparent are the works of the flesh, which are adultery, prostitution, uncleanness, wantonness, idolatry, enchantment, enmities, strife, jealousies, furies, factions, dissensions, sects, envies, murders, drunkennesses, revelries, and the like of these, which, I am predicting to you, according as I predicted also, that those committing such things shall not be enjoying the allotment of the kingdom of God."

Resting in the grace of God and Christ will not lead one to commit the works of the flesh.  Focusing on law and trying not to do the things listed here leads to a fixation on them, in the weakness of our flesh.  Rom 7:7-8: "What, then, shall we declare? That the law is sin? May it not be coming to that! But sin I knew not except through law. For besides, I had not been aware of coveting except the law said, "You shall not be coveting." Now Sin, getting an incentive through the precept, produces in me all manner of coveting. For apart from law Sin is dead."  Ignore the flesh; walk in spirit.

Gal 5:22-23: "Now the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control: against such things there is no law."

Walking in spirit leads to the fruit of the spirit.  It is the fruit OF the spirit after all, not of men.  God will produce these things in a believer.  The saving grace of God is the best teacher: Tit 2:11-14: "For the saving grace of God made its advent to all humanity, training us that, disowning irreverence and worldly desires, we should be living sanely and justly and devoutly in the current eon, anticipating that happy expectation, even the advent of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who gives Himself for us, that He should be redeeming us from all lawlessness and be cleansing for Himself a people to be about Him, zealous for ideal acts."

Gal 5:24-26: "Now those of Christ Jesus crucify the flesh together with its passions, and lusts. If we may be living in spirit, in spirit we may be observing the elements also. We may not become vainglorious, challenging one another, envying one another."

The old humanity was crucified with Christ and the body of Sin has been nullified (Rom 6:6).  Rom 6:7-8: “for one who dies has been justified from Sin. Now if we died together with Christ, we believe that we shall be living together with Him also.” Rom 6:11-12: "Thus you also, be reckoning yourselves to be dead, indeed, to Sin, yet living to God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Let not Sin, then, be reigning in your mortal body, for you to be obeying its lusts."  Those of Christ Jesus simply believe these truths.  Reckon yourself dead to sin. In other words, ignore it! Trying to fight sin makes you a slave to an already defeated enemy.  

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The snare of the cross, written by James Coram from the Concordant Publishing Concern is a great read. 

Galatians Chapter 4 - No longer slaves to the elements of the world

 Gal 4:1-3: “Now I am saying, for as much time as the enjoyer of an allotment is a minor, in nothing is he of more consequence than a slave, being master of all, but is under guardians and administrators until the time purposed by the father. Thus we also, when we were minors, were enslaved under the elements of the world.  

The phrase “when we were minors”, like what we saw in Gal 3:23, “we were garrisoned under law” I believe is talking about Israelites (who are now members of the body of Christ) who had been given the law, and were essentially slaves under it.  In this passage Paul likens the law to the “elements of the world”.  In Colossians, Paul warns about the elements of the world:  Col 2:8: "Beware that no one shall be despoiling you through philosophy and empty seduction, in accord with human tradition, in accord with the elements of the world, and not in accord with Christ,".  As Paul had said earlier in this letter, the Galatians were being tempted by a different evangel (1:6-7) which was an attempt to mix grace and law, which are incompatible.  “Doing something for God” is an empty seduction, is very much a human tradition in religion, and can be philosophically argued for, but it is not in accord with Christ and grace.

Gal 4:4-7: "Now when the full time came, God delegates His Son, come of a woman, come under law, that He should be reclaiming those under law, that we may be getting the place of a son. Now, seeing that you are sons, God delegates the spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying "Abba! Father!" So that you are no longer a slave, but a son. Now if a son, an enjoyer also of an allotment from God, through Christ."

When God gave the law to Israel it had a purpose, and it would fulfill its purpose until the full time came.  God sent His Son, to reclaim those under the law.  No longer minors, believers are sons.  In this passage, Paul says the same thing here that he writes in Romans 8:15-17, which I printed out at the end of the Galatians 3 blog.  

Gal 4:8-11: "But then, indeed, having no perception of God, you were slaves of those who, by nature, are not gods. Yet now, knowing God, yet rather being known by God, how are you turning back again to the infirm and poor elements for which you want to slave again anew? Days are you scrutinizing, and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, lest somehow I have toiled for you feignedly."

Here Paul uses the pronoun “you” instead of “we” like he had been using from 3:23 to 4:3. I believe that in the previous section, Paul was writing about Israelites who had become members of Christ’s body.  In 4:8, he writes about those of the nations who had become part of Christ’s body.  The nations had no perception of God, (unlike Israel) and they slaved for false gods.  God had now called them into the body of Christ, through the evangel of the grace of God.  The approach present of God (Eph 2:8, 5:2) does not require slavery of any kind, it is the message of what God through Christ has already done on the behalf of all. Paul calls the religious precepts of the nations, that they lived in before, “infirm and poor elements”. See Col 2:20-21, which fits perfectly here:  "If, then, you died together with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as living in the world, are you subject to decrees: "You should not be touching, nor yet tasting, nor yet coming into contact,""  Just like in in Gal 4:11, religious decrees (scrutinizing days, months, and years, and not touching, tasting, coming into contact, superstitions) are slavery for no good reason and contrary to the evangel.  The observance of rituals like this are possibly a sign of a feigned understanding of the evangel.  It is interesting that Paul says both Israelites and the nations were slaves to the “elements of the world” before God called them in grace.

Gal 4:12-16: "Become as I, for I am even as you, brethren, I beseech you. In nothing do you injure me. Now you are aware that during an infirmity of the flesh I bring the evangel to you formerly. And your trial, in my flesh, you do not scorn, neither do you loathe it, but as a messenger of God you receive me, as Christ Jesus. Where, then, is your happiness? For I am testifying to you, that, if possible, gouging out your eyes, you would give them to me. So that I have become your enemy by being true to you!"

Paul initially brought the evangel to the Galatians in infirmity, possibly an affliction of the eyes as he mentions in vs. 15.  This reminds me of this passage: 2Cor 12:9: "And He has protested to me, "Sufficient for you is My grace, for My power in infirmity is being perfected." With the greatest relish, then, will I rather be glorying in my infirmities, that the power of Christ should be tabernacling over me."  God has chosen the weak to share the evangel, to highlight the fact that flesh can do nothing to please God and the evangel is a message of grace, which has all been accomplished by God through Christ.  The Galatians recognized Paul as a messenger of God and loved him.  I believe Paul wants the Galatians to know that he is not angry with them.  He is perplexed and wants them to know he loves them enough to about them to tell them the truth, in all things.

Gal 4:17-18: "They are jealous over you, not ideally, but they want to debar you that you may be jealous over them. Now it is ideal for you to be jealous in the ideal always, and not only in my presence with you."

The word translated jealous here, zéloó, can also mean zealous.  The base english elements of this word are “be boiling”.  The “they” is talking about the judaizers who were trying to persuade (and succeeding it seems, because the writing of this letter was necessary) the Galatians to follow them and ignore Paul.  Being zealous for the truth (the ideal) is good, but many are zealous for falsities.

Gal 4:19-21: "Little children mine, with whom I am travailing again until Christ may be formed in you! Yet I wanted to be present with you just now, and to change my voice, for I am perplexed about you. Tell me, you who want to be under law, are you not hearing the law?"

Paul calls the Galatians his children, again emphasizing his love for them.  This matter couldn’t wait to be addressed until Paul could be there personally, it’s importance required this letter to be written.  Paul is perplexed at how the Galatians could be turning from the freedom they have in Christ to slavery under the law (Gal 1:6-7, 3:1-4).

Gal 4:22-31: For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one out of the maid and one out of the free woman. But the one, indeed, out of the maid is begotten according to flesh, yet the one out of the free woman through the promise: which is allegorizing, for these women are two covenants; one, indeed, from mount Sinai, generating into slavery, which is Hagar. Yet Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia; it is in line with the Jerusalem which now is, for she is in slavery with her children. Yet the Jerusalem above is free, who is mother of us all. For it is written, "Be glad, barren one, who art not bringing forth! Burst forth and implore, thou who art not travailing! For many are the children of the desolate, Rather than of her who has the husband." Now you, brethren, as Isaac, are children of promise. But even as then, the one generated according to flesh persecuted the one according to spirit, thus also it is now. But what is the scripture saying? Cast out this maid and her son, for by no means shall the son of the maid be enjoying the allotment with the son of the free woman. Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of the maid, but of the free woman."

I really like what A.E. Knoch said in his commentary on these verses: “The controversy turns on the question "Who are the heirs of Abraham?" Is the ground of sonship circumcision and law keeping, or faith? The Judaisers said, We are Abraham's sons! Abraham had two sons, says Paul. Which line do you belong to, Ishmael or Isaac? You are Ishmaelites, sons of Hagar, born of the flesh, born into slavery. You are not heirs of Abraham! Isaac, the child of promise, is the true heir. These two sons of Abraham illustrate the relation between law and promise, flesh and spirit. Ishmael came into Abraham's home between the promise and the advent of the true heir. Born of unbelief, he was a continual trial and persecuted the son of promise. But finally the decree went forth: Cast out this maid and her son!  It could hardly be that the Galatians are listening to any but so-called "believing" Jews who were associated with the apostles, and with James. They would not listen to the persecutors of the ecclesia in Jerusalem. Tens of thousands of Jews believed but they all were zealous of the law (Ac.21:20). This shows that those associated with the Pentecostal administration were virulently opposed to Paul and his doctrine of grace. When he was in Jerusalem they led the multitude against him and nearly killed him. These Jewish Christians were the most troublesome enemies of the ecclesias among the nations which had been founded by Paul.”  

The maid and her son had to be cast out, like law must be cast out when embracing grace.  Law and grace cannot be mixed.  Again, if Paul’s message of grace (evangel of the uncircumcision) was the same as as the message of the apostles (evangel of the circumcision) there would be no conflict between them, and no need for this letter to be written.

Galatians Chapter 3 - Foolish Galatians, did you get the spirit by law or faith?

 Gal 3:1-4: "O foolish Galatians! Who bewitches you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was graphically crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you get the spirit by works of law or by hearing of faith? So foolish are you? Undertaking in spirit, are you now being completed in flesh? So much did you suffer feignedly? Since, surely, it also is feignedly!"

The second sentence here is a little hard to understand (for me anyway) in the way the Concordant Literal has it rendered.  After wrapping my head around it, my paraphrase would be “Foolish Galatians! How could you be bewitched from the truth, since it was graphically portrayed among you that Christ was crucified?”  It seems as though some among the Galatians were doing what Paul mentioned back in Gal 2:18,  I don’t think the Galatians were returning to the law, as they were members of the nations and the law was not given to the nations (Rom 2:14).  They were being fooled into thinking that they needed to start following the law to be perfected, or to keep their salvation (ahem, sounds like Christianity, ahem).  Paul told the Galatians the truth of the evangel, what God through Christ had already accomplished, and they believed.  Paul had never said any work of the flesh was required, including conjuring up faith within oneself.  The Galatians, like Paul, had suffered for the truth of the evangel, because many hate the message of the grace of God.  Heralding works based righteousness does not incite persecution (Gal 5:11).

Gal 3:5-6: "He, then, who is supplying you with the spirit, and operating works of power among you-did you get the spirit by works of law or by the hearing of faith, according as Abraham believes God, and it is reckoned to him for righteousness?"

Paul asks the same question again, “did you get the spirit by works of law or by the hearing of faith?”  God sealed them with the holy spirit of promise upon their hearing and belief of the evangel.  Why would they now need to work for that same spirit?  Abraham simply believed God’s promise, what God told him He would do.

Gal 3:7-9: "Know, consequently, that those of faith, these are sons of Abraham. Now the scripture, perceiving before that God is justifying the nations by faith, brings before an evangel to Abraham, that In you shall all the nations be blessed. So that those of faith are being blessed together with believing Abraham.”

Those of faith are not literal descendants of Abraham, but are being reckoned righteous by God like Abraham was through faith.  God’s plan all along has been to ultimately bless all of His creation.  Through Christ’s faith, all have been justified from sin (Rom 6:7, 2 Cor 5:14), though only believers are currently justified by God. Rom 3:21-23: "Yet now, apart from law, a righteousness of God is manifest (being attested by the law and the prophets), yet a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ's faith, for all, and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction, for all sinned and are wanting of the glory of God."  This righteousness of God is for all, and is currently on all who believe.¹

Gal 3:10-14: “For whoever are of works of law are under a curse, for it is written that, Accursed is everyone who is not remaining in all things written in the scroll of the law to do them. Now that in law no one is being justified with God is evident, for the just one by faith shall be living. Now the law is not of faith, but who does them "shall be living in them." Christ reclaims us from the curse of the law, becoming a curse for our sakes, for it is written, Accursed is everyone hanging on a pole, that the blessing of Abraham may be coming to the nations in Christ Jesus, that we may be obtaining the promise of the spirit through faith."

A. E. Knoch makes a great point in his commentary on verse 9, drawing our attention to the contrast between faith and law.  Those of faith are blessed, and those under law are under a curse.  Why would anyone want to put themselves under a curse, when blessing comes through the faith of Christ and believing what has already been accomplished by Christ.  

Gal 3:15-18: "Brethren (I am saying this as a man), a human covenant likewise having been ratified, no one is repudiating or modifying it. Now to Abraham the promises were declared, and to his Seed. He is not saying "And to seeds," as of many, but as of One: And to "your Seed," which is Christ. Now this am I saying: a covenant, having been ratified before by God, the law, having come four hundred and thirty years afterward, does not invalidate, so as to nullify the promise. For if the enjoyment of the allotment is of law, it is no longer of promise. Yet God has graciously granted it to Abraham through the promise."

A covenant made by men is not easily changed or made void.  The covenant made to Abraham was made by God, with no stipulations for Abraham to keep. God made the promise, and it rests on Him to accomplish it.  The law coming 430 years after the covenant made with Abraham by God in no way nullifies or invalidates God’s promise. We are told Christ is the Seed of Abraham spoken about here, no need to guess.  

Gal 3:19-20: "What, then, is the law? On behalf of transgressions was it added, until the Seed should come to Whom He has promised, being prescribed through messengers in the hand of a mediator.  Now there is no Mediator of one. Yet God is One."

It is widely unknown why the law came, which is on behalf of transgressions.  A. E. Knoch says this in his commentary on vs. 19: “Law changes sin from a mere mistake into the over-stepping of a divine command. It enhances the sinfulness of sin. Transgression is sin against a known law, entailing not only the usual penalties, but the added displeasure of God against one who defies His precepts. The law was not given to the people directly, but through Moses who acted as the mediator. Neither was it given through Christ, the Seed of the promise.”  Rom 5:20: "Yet law came in by the way, that the offense should be increasing. Yet where sin increases, grace superexceeds,"  I had a hard time wrapping my head around vs. 20, the way the Concordant Literal has it translated.  A paraphrase is easier for me to understand: “a mediator is not needed when there is only one party making a promise. Yet God is One.”  God is One (not three in one, one of three, etc.)  and He didn’t have a mediator when He made His promise to Abraham.

Gal 3:21-26: "Is the law, then, against the promises of God? May it not be coming to that! For if a law were given that is able to vivify, really, righteousness were out of law. But the scripture locks up all together under sin, that the promise out of Jesus Christ's faith may be given to those who are believing. Now before the coming of faith we were garrisoned under law, being locked up together for the faith about to be revealed. So that the law has become our escort to Christ, that we may be justified by faith. Now, at the coming of faith, we are no longer under an escort, for you are all sons of God, through faith in Christ Jesus."

The law is not a counter to God’s promises but a part of His plan.  It was an escort to those under it to recognize sin and their inability to be righteous in themselves (on behalf of transgressions).  Israel was an  “example” nation, in that, even a nation given a law to follow directly from God were unable to be righteous.  Rom 3:19-20: "Now we are aware that, whatever the law is saying, it is speaking to those under the law, that every mouth may be barred, and the entire world may become subject to the just verdict of God, because, by works of law, no flesh at all shall be justified in His sight, for through law is the recognition of sin." Paul spends most of the first part of Romans proving that all humanity is locked up under sin (Rom 1:18-3:18), before he reveals the remedy.  The only contribution we have in any of this is being sinners.  Only sinners need to be saved, which is all of us (Mark 2:17).  The righteousness of God through Jesus Christ’s faith is put on believers earlier than it it is on unbelievers in God’s plan (Rom 3:21-23).  Those who were  “garrisoned under law” can only be Israelites (this includes Paul) as they were the only nation given the law.  Now that the faith has been revealed (the evangel of the Uncircumcision) for the body of Christ, even Israelites that embrace the message are no longer under law.  

Gal 3:27-29: "For whoever are baptized into Christ, put on Christ, in Whom there is no Jew nor yet Greek, there is no slave nor yet free, there is no male and female, for you all are one in Christ Jesus. Now if you are Christ's, consequently you are of Abraham's seed, enjoyers of the allotment according to the promise."

Those that put on Christ are believers, those seeking “to be justified in Christ” (Gal 2:17).  They are those “baptized into one body, whether Jew or Greek” (1 Cor 12:13).  They are those led by God’s spirit and are sons of God (Rom 8:14).  They have been given the spirit of sonship and are enjoyers of Christ’s allotment.  Rom 8:15-17: "For you did not get slavery's spirit to fear again, but you got the spirit of sonship, in which we are crying, "Abba, Father!" The spirit itself is testifying together with our spirit that we are children of God. Yet if children, enjoyers also of an allotment, enjoyers, indeed, of an allotment from God, yet joint enjoyers of Christ's allotment, if so be that we are suffering together, that we should be glorified together also."  Paul goes on to affirm this in chapter 4.

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1. It is important to remember the relative and absolute viewpoints and keep them in mind when talking about belief.  Absolutely, God is the one who gives faith to believe the truth (Eph 2:8-9).  In the relative, we see those that have this faith and those who do not.  I encourage you to listen to this short talk by James Coram titled “Justified by sin and justified by God”  which goes into more detail on these two expressions.