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GALATIANS … “COVENANTS”

June 12, 2018 by Dr. Mike Bagwell

Paul now uses a “human” illustration of “divine” truth.

“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.” Galatians 3:15

To Paul, to “speak after the manner of men” suggests “putting something into words a man can understand.” The Greek has it: “to speak anthropologically!”

He is here illustrating from “everyday life.” (But still writing under the direct Inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, “word for word” I believe.)

Therefore … “Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.”

By “covenant” Paul means “commitment, agreement,” almost “contract.” (In Greek it is the noun “diatheke.” Derived form both “dia” and “tithemi.” Essentially meaning “placing something,” usually a sacrificed animal, “between two agreeing parties!” (The still bloody animal pieces suggesting the utter gravity of the covenant! Deadly serious business!)

(Even in Hebrew “covenant” most often translates “beriyth,” originally from a root verb meaning “to cut,” as in “cutting” that sacrificed animal “into pieces.”)

Paul’s point being that even among (honest) human beings, a serious commitment is honored! “A man is only as good as his word,” the old timers used to say!

“Confirmed” translates the Greek verb “kuroo,” a cognate form of “kurios,” that is … “something that holds supremacy!” An agreement that “lords” over you! You MUST obey it, abide by it!

To “disannul” means (Greek “atheteo,” from “a” plus “tithemi”) really NOT to place that bleeding (dead) animal into the mix, between the two vowing people or groups of people! To void an agreement, or even more so … not to enter into it in the first place!

Again the point being: if a man “contracts” to do something (and wants to retain his honor) he will NOT back out of the deal! 

But neither (Paul continues) will he “add to” the original covenant, its stipulations, either! Here the verb is more complex, more compound. It is (in Greek) “epi” plus “dia” plus “tasso!” It is actually (primarily) a military term! To obey orders, to be in one’s rightful place! Not to do something you shouldn’t! 

Get it?

Even with humans … a “bond” is a “bond.”

We today don’t kill animals to ratify a pact, we simply shake hands. Or “sign on the bottom line” of a legally binding document! But the promise is still in force!

Now to put Galatians 3:15 into some “context.”

God the Father promised Abraham that Jesus (through Abraham’s loins, through Isaac and his many godly descendants) would come to earth and ultimately be a Blessing to all nations! (Via the blood drenched Cross of Calvary,  turns out!) That was a indeed covenant … and GOD KEPT HIS WORD!

Nobody breaks such a serious pledge!

And this covenant works via truth, via faith! This is an important sentence, that last one. “Via faith!” Which would be “saving” faith! 

By love, not by law!

God said He would send His Son to be the Saviour of the world … and that belief in Jesus would grant a person Eternal Life!

1 John 4:14 … “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” Amen!

And how does one accept this Saviour?

By taking God at His Word!

Trusting, leaning upon, believing! 

It’s this simple, with the Holy Spirit being in the middle of the situation … “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31

Praise the Lord!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

If man so keeps his word … what do you think the Almighty, Righteous God will do? In fact, already has done! Will always do!

 

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