Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. New Living Translation Dear brothers and sisters, here’s an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or amend an irrevocable agreement, so it is in this case. English Standard Version To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. Berean Standard Bible Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended. Berean Literal Bible Brothers, I am speaking according to man. No one sets aside or adds thereto a covenant even of man, having been ratified. King James Bible Brethren, 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. New King James Version 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. New American Standard Bible Brothers and sisters, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. NASB 1995 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. NASB 1977 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. Legacy Standard Bible Brothers, I speak in human terms: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. Amplified Bible Brothers and sisters, I speak in terms of human relations: even though a last will and testament is just a human covenant, yet when it has been signed and made legally binding, no one sets it aside or adds to it [modifying it in some way]. Christian Standard Bible Brothers and sisters, I’m using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to a validated human will. Holman Christian Standard Bible Brothers, I’m using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to even a human covenant that has been ratified. American Standard Version Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man's covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto. Contemporary English Version My friends, I will use an everyday example to explain what I mean. Once someone agrees to something, no one else can change or cancel the agreement. English Revised Version Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man's covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto. GOD'S WORD® Translation Brothers and sisters, let me use an example from everyday life. No one can cancel a person's will or add conditions to it once that will is put into effect. Good News Translation My friends, I am going to use an everyday example: when two people agree on a matter and sign an agreement, no one can break it or add anything to it. International Standard Version Brothers, let me use an example from everyday life. Once a person's will has been ratified, no one can cancel it or add conditions to it. Majority Standard Bible Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended. NET Bible Brothers and sisters, I offer an example from everyday life: When a covenant has been ratified, even though it is only a human contract, no one can set it aside or add anything to it. New Heart English Bible Brothers, I am speaking in human terms. Though it is only a human covenant, once it has been ratified, no one annuls it or adds to it. Webster's Bible Translation Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it is but a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no man disannulleth or addeth to it. Weymouth New Testament Brethren, even a covenant made by a man--to borrow an illustration from daily life--when once formally sanctioned is not liable to be set aside or added to. World English Bible Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void or adds to it. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBrothers, I say [it] as a man, no one even makes void or adds to a confirmed covenant of man, Berean Literal Bible Brothers, I am speaking according to man. No one sets aside or adds thereto a covenant even of man, having been ratified. Young's Literal Translation Brethren, as a man I say it, even of man a confirmed covenant no one doth make void or doth add to, Smith's Literal Translation Brethren, I speak according to man; Although a man's covenant, having been confirmed, none annuls, or orders an addition. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBrethren (I speak after the manner of man,) yet a man's testament, if it be confirmed, no man despiseth, nor addeth to it. Catholic Public Domain Version Brothers (I speak according to man), if a man’s testament has been confirmed, no one would reject it or add to it. New American Bible Brothers, in human terms I say that no one can annul or amend even a human will once ratified. New Revised Standard Version Brothers and sisters, I give an example from daily life: once a person’s will has been ratified, no one adds to it or annuls it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleMy brethren, I speak as a man; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man can reject it or change anything in it. Aramaic Bible in Plain English My brethren, I speak as among men, that a man does not reject or change anything in a man's covenant which has been confirmed. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBrethren, I speak of things common among men: No one sets a covenant aside, or enjoins any thing additional after it is confirmed, though it be a man's covenant. Godbey New Testament Brethren, I speak according to a man, nevertheless no one disannuls, or adds to, the covenant of a man which has been confirmed. Haweis New Testament Brethren, I speak humanly; to use a similitude, a man’s testament, if it be passed in legal form, no man can vacate, or add thereunto. Mace New Testament Brethren, I speak according to the practice of men; contracts between men, when once ratified, cannot be disannulled or altered afterwards by any man. Weymouth New Testament Brethren, even a covenant made by a man--to borrow an illustration from daily life--when once formally sanctioned is not liable to be set aside or added to. Worrell New Testament Brethren, I am speaking after the manner of man: even a man's confirmed covenant no one sets aside, or adds thereto. Worsley New Testament Brethren, (I speak after the manner of men,) no one cancelleth or addeth to a covenant which hath been ratified, though it be but the covenant of a man. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Purpose of the Law14He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. 15Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended. 16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.… Cross References Hebrews 9:16-17 In the case of a will, it is necessary to establish the death of the one who made it, / because a will does not take effect until the one who made it has died; it cannot be executed while he is still alive. Romans 4:13-14 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. / For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless, Genesis 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates— Genesis 17:7 I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. Romans 3:21-22 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. / And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, Romans 9:4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God. Hebrews 6:13-17 When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, / saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.” / And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise. ... Genesis 22:16-18 saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, / I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. / And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Romans 11:29 For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. Ephesians 2:12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. Genesis 12:1-3 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 26:3-4 Stay in this land as a foreigner, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham. / I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, Genesis 28:13-14 And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. Acts 3:25 And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ Treasury of Scripture Brothers, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man cancels, or adds thereto. I speak. Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 1 Corinthians 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. it be. Hebrews 9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. covenant. Jump to Previous Added Addeth Adds Annuls Borrow Case Conditions Confirmed Covenant Daily Established Example Formally Human Illustration Life Makes Maketh Manner Once Ratified Relations Sanctioned Sets Speak Speaking Terms Thereto VoidJump to Next Added Addeth Adds Annuls Borrow Case Conditions Confirmed Covenant Daily Established Example Formally Human Illustration Life Makes Maketh Manner Once Ratified Relations Sanctioned Sets Speak Speaking Terms Thereto VoidGalatians 3 1. He asks what moved them to leave the faith, and hold onto the law.6. Those who believe are justified, 9. and blessed with Abraham. 10. And this he shows by many reasons. 15. The purpose of the Law 26. You are sons of God Brothers, let me make an analogy from everyday life In this opening phrase, Paul addresses the Galatians with the term "Brothers," indicating a familial bond and shared faith in Christ. The Greek word "ἀδελφοί" (adelphoi) is often used to denote not just biological siblings but also spiritual kinship among believers. This sets a tone of unity and mutual understanding. Paul is about to use a common human experience to explain a spiritual truth, which is a teaching method that resonates across cultures and times. The use of "analogy" suggests that Paul is drawing a parallel between human practices and divine principles, making the complex truths of the Gospel more accessible. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended (15) I speak after the manner of men.--The figure that I am going to use is one taken from the ordinary civil relations between man and man, and therefore, it is left to be inferred, supplies an a fortiori argument in things relating to God, for men may change and break the most solemn engagements; God is absolutely faithful and unchangeable. The phrase translated "I speak after the manner of men" is found in the same, or a very similar form, in Romans 3:5; Romans 6:19; 1Corinthians 9:8, where see the Notes. Though it be but a man's covenant.--This is well rendered in the Authorised version. A covenant, even though it is only between two men--though it is regulated by the provisions only of human law--does not admit of alteration or addition after it has once been signed and sealed; much more a covenant which depends on God. Covenant.--The word thus translated is that which gave its name to the "Old and New Testaments," where a more correct rendering would be the "Old and New Covenants." The word has both senses. It meant originally a "disposition" or "settlement," and hence came, on the one hand, to be confined to a "testamentary disposition," while, on the other hand, it was taken to mean a settlement arrived at by agreement between two parties. The first sense is that most commonly found in classical writers; the second is used almost entirely in the LXX. and New Testament. The one exception is in Hebrews 9:15-17, where the idea of "covenant" glides into that of "testament," the argument rather turning upon the double meaning of the word. . . . Verse 15. - Brethren, I speak after the manner of men (ἀδελφοί κατὰ ἄνθρωπον λέγω). "Brethren." The tone of indignant reproach with which the chapter opened has gradually subsided in the course of the apostle's argument; so that here he appeals to the Galatian Churchmen as "brethren; ' as if to bespeak their candid attention to the consideration he is about to allege. "I speak after the manner of men." I say it as stating a principle commonly recognized in human life, in respect to contracts between man and man (see note on the phrase, Galatians 1:11). In a similar manner, in Hebrews 6:16, 17 the writer refers to human methods of ratifying solemn engagements, in order to illustrate a course of proceeding on another occasion condescendingly adopted by God. Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be (when it hath been) confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto (ὅμως ἀνθρώπου κεκυρωμένην διαθήκην οὐδεὶς ἀθετεῖ η} ἐπιδιατάσσεται). The Authorized Version has thus happily rendered the ὅμως, which is here transposed cut of its logical position, as it is also in 1 Corinthians 14:7, and as ἔτι is in Romans 5:6. The apostle's meaning is that, if even men are constrained by their sense of justice to abide by this rule, much more may the All-righteous One be expected to do so. This a fortiori suggestion (for St. Paul only hints this consideration by introducing the word ὅμως without explicitly developing it) is similar to the afortiori argument more explicitly stated by our Lord with reference to God's justice, in Luke 18:6, 7; and to his fatherliness, in Luke 11:13. "Covenant." The word διαθήκη, properly "disposition," which, in classical Greek, generally means "will," "testament," is used in the Septuagint to render the Hebrew berith, covenant, in which sense it occurs once in Aristophanes, 'Ayes,' 439; and it appears to denote "covenant" in all the thirty-three places in which it is found in the New Testament; for even Hebrews 9:17 can hardly be allowed to be an exception. Bishop Lightfoot observes that the Septuagint translators and the New Testament writers probably preferred διαθήκη to συνθήκη, the ordinary Greek word for "covenant," when speaking of a Divine dispensation, because, like "promise," it better expresses the free grace of God. Perhaps the terms appeared to them more suitable also in this application, because one of the parties to the engagement was no other than the supreme sovereign Disposer of all things. "Confirmed;" ratified; as it were, signed, sealed, and delivered. "No one;" meaning neither of the two covenanting parties. "Addeth thereto;" addeth any fresh condition, such as would clog the action of the previous engagement. The apostle adds this with reference to the supposition that the Law of Moses might have qualified the Abrahamic covenant by limiting its benefits to persons ceremonially clean.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Brothers,Ἀδελφοί (Adelphoi) Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. let me put this λέγω (legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. in human terms. κατὰ (kata) Preposition Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). Even ὅμως (homōs) Conjunction Strong's 3676: Yet, nevertheless, even. Adverb from the base of homou; at the same time, i.e. notwithstanding, yet still. a human covenant, διαθήκην (diathēkēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 1242: From diatithemai; properly, a disposition, i.e. a contract. once it is ratified, κεκυρωμένην (kekyrōmenēn) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 2964: To ratify, confirm, make valid, reaffirm, assure. From the same as kurios; to make authoritative, i.e. Ratify. cannot οὐδεὶς (oudeis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing. be canceled ἀθετεῖ (athetei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 114: From a compound of a and a derivative of tithemi; to set aside, i.e. to disesteem, neutralize or violate. or ἢ (ē) Conjunction Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. amended. ἐπιδιατάσσεται (epidiatassetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1928: To make an additional testamentary disposition, To furnish with additions. Links Galatians 3:15 NIVGalatians 3:15 NLT Galatians 3:15 ESV Galatians 3:15 NASB Galatians 3:15 KJV Galatians 3:15 BibleApps.com Galatians 3:15 Biblia Paralela Galatians 3:15 Chinese Bible Galatians 3:15 French Bible Galatians 3:15 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Galatians 3:15 Brothers speaking of human terms though it (Gal. Ga) |
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