Galatians 3:20 - Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one.
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What does "Galatians 3:20" mean?
Galatians 3:20 is a notoriously difficult verse to interpret. Here's a breakdown of what it means, considering different perspectives and the surrounding context:
Context is Key:
The Law and the Promise: Paul is contrasting the Law given through Moses with the promise made to Abraham. He argues that the promise (faith in Christ) predates the Law and is superior because the Law brought a curse and condemnation that Christ redeemed us from.
Mediator and Covenant: Paul is discussing covenants. The Law was given through a mediator (Moses) because it involved two parties: God and Israel.
Breaking Down the Verse:
"Now a mediator is not between one..." This refers to the nature of a mediator. A mediator is, by definition, involved when there are at least two parties in a relationship or agreement. A mediator bridges a gap or facilitates an agreement between two or more distinct sides. The Law, given through Moses, required a mediator because it involved a covenant (agreement) between God and the people of Israel.
"...but God is one." This is the crux of the difficulty. It can be understood in several ways, and the best interpretation depends on the overall argument Paul is making. Here are some prominent interpretations:
1. God's Unilateral Promise: This interpretation suggests that the promise to Abraham was given unilaterally by God. It didn't require a mediator because God made the promise independently, not as part of a covenant with conditions. God's promise of justification by faith is given freely.
2. God's Singleness in Salvation: This interpretation understands "God is one" to mean that God's plan of salvation is consistent and unified, both in the Old and New Testaments. God is not acting in contradictory ways; salvation has always been through faith, even though the Law served a purpose.
3. God's Absolute Sovereignty: This view emphasizes God's sovereign power and initiative. The promise to Abraham was an act of God's own will and purpose, not contingent on any human action or mediation. God's decision is absolute.
4. Christ as Mediator: Some argue that while the Law required a mediator (Moses), God ultimately provided the ultimate mediator in Christ. Christ's sacrifice bridges the gap between humanity and God, fulfilling the promise to Abraham. "God is one" might point to the unified divine nature of Christ, who reconciles humanity to God.
5. The Nature of God: "God is one" could simply be a statement about the oneness of God, contrasting with the polytheism of the surrounding cultures. This oneness emphasizes God's consistency and faithfulness to his promises.
Preferred Interpretation:
The most common and arguably the strongest interpretation combines elements of the first two:
The promise to Abraham was unilateral, given freely by God based on his grace, not dependent on human performance.
God's plan is unified, showing consistency in salvation. Even with the Law, God has always been true to his promise made to Abraham, pointing toward salvation by faith.
Why it's Difficult:
Conciseness: The verse is extremely compact, leaving room for different interpretations.
Greek Grammar: The Greek grammar is ambiguous and open to varied readings.
Historical Context: Understanding the specific challenges faced by the Galatian church and Paul's response to them helps to uncover the intended meaning.
In summary:
Galatians 3:20 emphasizes that while the Law, mediated by Moses, involved a covenant between two parties (God and Israel), the promise to Abraham was a unilateral act of God's grace, demonstrating his consistent and unified plan of salvation by faith, a plan ultimately fulfilled in Christ. It highlights the superiority of the promise over the Law in providing justification.
Galatians 3:20 - Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one.
What does "Galatians 3:20" mean?
Galatians 3:20 is a notoriously difficult verse to interpret. Here's a breakdown of what it means, considering different perspectives and the surrounding context:
Context is Key:
The Law and the Promise: Paul is contrasting the Law given through Moses with the promise made to Abraham. He argues that the promise (faith in Christ) predates the Law and is superior because the Law brought a curse and condemnation that Christ redeemed us from.
Mediator and Covenant: Paul is discussing covenants. The Law was given through a mediator (Moses) because it involved two parties: God and Israel.
Breaking Down the Verse:
"Now a mediator is not between one..." This refers to the nature of a mediator. A mediator is, by definition, involved when there are at least two parties in a relationship or agreement. A mediator bridges a gap or facilitates an agreement between two or more distinct sides. The Law, given through Moses, required a mediator because it involved a covenant (agreement) between God and the people of Israel.
"...but God is one." This is the crux of the difficulty. It can be understood in several ways, and the best interpretation depends on the overall argument Paul is making. Here are some prominent interpretations:
1. God's Unilateral Promise: This interpretation suggests that the promise to Abraham was given unilaterally by God. It didn't require a mediator because God made the promise independently, not as part of a covenant with conditions. God's promise of justification by faith is given freely.
2. God's Singleness in Salvation: This interpretation understands "God is one" to mean that God's plan of salvation is consistent and unified, both in the Old and New Testaments. God is not acting in contradictory ways; salvation has always been through faith, even though the Law served a purpose.
3. God's Absolute Sovereignty: This view emphasizes God's sovereign power and initiative. The promise to Abraham was an act of God's own will and purpose, not contingent on any human action or mediation. God's decision is absolute.
4. Christ as Mediator: Some argue that while the Law required a mediator (Moses), God ultimately provided the ultimate mediator in Christ. Christ's sacrifice bridges the gap between humanity and God, fulfilling the promise to Abraham. "God is one" might point to the unified divine nature of Christ, who reconciles humanity to God.
5. The Nature of God: "God is one" could simply be a statement about the oneness of God, contrasting with the polytheism of the surrounding cultures. This oneness emphasizes God's consistency and faithfulness to his promises.
Preferred Interpretation:
The most common and arguably the strongest interpretation combines elements of the first two:
The promise to Abraham was unilateral, given freely by God based on his grace, not dependent on human performance.
God's plan is unified, showing consistency in salvation. Even with the Law, God has always been true to his promise made to Abraham, pointing toward salvation by faith.
Why it's Difficult:
Conciseness: The verse is extremely compact, leaving room for different interpretations.
Greek Grammar: The Greek grammar is ambiguous and open to varied readings.
Historical Context: Understanding the specific challenges faced by the Galatian church and Paul's response to them helps to uncover the intended meaning.
In summary:
Galatians 3:20 emphasizes that while the Law, mediated by Moses, involved a covenant between two parties (God and Israel), the promise to Abraham was a unilateral act of God's grace, demonstrating his consistent and unified plan of salvation by faith, a plan ultimately fulfilled in Christ. It highlights the superiority of the promise over the Law in providing justification.