Galatia 3:7

3:7 so then, understand ¹  that those who believe are the sons of Abraham. ² 

Galatia 3:16

3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. ³  Scripture ⁴  does not say, “and to the descendants,” ⁵  referring to many, but “and to your descendant,” ⁶  referring to one, who is Christ.

Galatia 3:27

3:27 For all of you who ⁷  were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Galatia 3:29

3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, ⁸  heirs according to the promise.

[3:7]  ¹ tn Grk “know.”

[3:7]  ² tn The phrase “sons of Abraham” is used here in a figurative sense to describe people who are connected to a personality, Abraham, by close nonmaterial ties. It is this personality that has defined the relationship and its characteristics (BDAG 1024-25 s.v. υἱός 2.c.α).

[3:16]  ³ tn Grk “his seed,” a figurative extension of the meaning of σπέρμα (sperma) to refer to descendants (L&N 10.29).

[3:16]  ⁴ tn Grk “It”; the referent (the scripture) has been specified in the translation for clarity. The understood subject of the verb λέγει (legei) could also be “He” (referring to God) as the one who spoke the promise to Abraham.

[3:16]  ⁵ tn Grk “to seeds.” See the note on “descendant” earlier in this verse. Here the term is plural; the use of the singular in the OT text cited later in this verse is crucial to Paul’s argument.

[3:16]  ⁶ tn See the note on “descendant” earlier in this verse.

[3:16]  sn A quotation from Gen 12:7; 13:15; 17:7; 24:7.

[3:27]  ⁷ tn Grk “For as many of you as.”

[3:29]  ⁸ tn Grk “seed.” See the note on the first occurrence of the word “descendant” in 3:16.