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. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.
21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Sometimes a carefully constructed case needs to be made for a particular truth. Think about the deity of Christ, the triune nature of God, justification by grace through faith, Baptism as a Means of Grace, or the Real Presence of Christ in the Lord’s Supper. These are issues worthy of careful study and testing.
The Apostle John warns us not to believe every teaching or teacher that comes along. He writes, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out” (1 John 4:1). Paul shared a similar concern in his letter to the Galatians, addressing the influence of the Judaizers. His message is clear: our freedom in Christ and place in God’s kingdom are not dependent on following Old Testament rules and laws. Paul’s letter, particularly here in this passage, is a defense of the gospel and a rejection of anything that would add to the finished work of Christ.
Yet, it seems there is little patience these days for such discussions. Conversations about doctrinal or church issues often devolve into a dismissive “Well, that’s your truth,” reflecting a broader cultural loss of biblical authority and objective truth. Many have abandoned the pursuit of unity in belief, favoring a “live and let live” mindset. Truth is often surrendered to whoever has the smoothest or most compelling story. In this climate, truth is reduced to anecdote.
Paul’s approach, however, is rooted in scriptural truth. His concern is not academic but pastoral and salvific. He emphasizes that the Galatians are heirs of God’s gifts according to His promises, a truth with profound implications for their faith and lives.
Years ago, my vicarage supervisor shared a key insight that has stuck with me for decades: the focus of our quest for truth should not be truth for its own sake, but truth for the sake of the gospel. Whatever issues we may need to clarify, prove, or agree upon, let them serve the gospel message! Let the message of Christ crucified and risen carry the weight of eternal truth. This is the truth that matters most and the truth that sets us free.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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