Galatians 3:18
French (La Bible expliquée)
Mais si l'héritage que Dieu accorde s'obtient par la loi, alors ce n'est plus grâce à la promesse. Or, c'est par la promesse que Dieu a manifesté sa faveur à Abraham. Le terme grec diathèkè signifie « testament » ou « alliance ». L'héritier de ce testament, c'est le Christ, descendant d'Abraham. La loi a été donnée après Abraham, comme un guide transitoire et non pas pour remplacer la promesse. Elle est bonne, éducatrice, elle fait prendre conscience des manquements et ouvre des voies de justice (Rom 4.14-15 5.20 7.7 12). Cependant, elle est incapable de sauver puisque désormais l'héritier, le Christ, est là.
What Does This Mean?
This verse from Galatians says that if we get God's promise through following rules, it wouldn't really be a promise anymore. But God gave Abraham his promise not because he followed any rules but simply by promising.
Explained for Children
Imagine you promised your friend they could have the biggest cookie at dessert just for being your friend. If you said they had to do something special first, it wouldn’t really be a surprise or a gift anymore. God did the same with Abraham - he gave him a big promise without asking Abraham to earn it.
Historical Background
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter around AD 50 to Christian communities in Galatia. He was addressing issues where Jewish traditions were seen as necessary for salvation, contrasting them with faith in God’s promises given to Abraham.
Living It Out Today
Today, if you feel like you need to do certain things to be worthy of God's love or blessings, remember that his promise is not based on your actions but on his own gracious choice. Just like Abraham didn’t have to earn his blessing, neither do we.
Topics
promiseinheritancelawfaithAbrahamsalvation
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Paul compare promise to law?
Paul uses this comparison to highlight that salvation comes through faith in God’s promises rather than adherence to laws, emphasizing grace over works.
What inheritance is referred to here?
The inheritance mentioned refers to the blessings and promises God made to Abraham, which include spiritual blessings like being part of God's family.
How does this relate to Abraham's story?
Abraham received God’s promise without having to earn it, showing that God’s blessings are a gift of grace rather than something earned through actions or laws.
What can we learn about faith from this verse?
We learn that our relationship with God is based on his promises and not on our own merits. Faith means trusting in these divine assurances.