Galatians 3:8

St Paul's appeal here and elsewhere to the authority of the O.T. as the unerring, irreversible decision is very instructive. This authority depends on an inspiration which is verbal, though not mechanical. The quotation combines a reference to two distinct promises, that in Genesis 12:3, "And in thee shall the tribes of the earth be blessed"; and in Genesis 18:18, "And all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him". The true seed (children) of Abraham are -they which are of faith" not his natural descendants, as such, but all who, whether Jews or Gentiles, "walk in the footsteps of the faith which Abraham had in uncircumcision".

the scripture, foreseeing The Scripture is here personified, as in Galatians 3:22. It of course means the Holy Ghost, by Whose inspiration the passage was written. In the Epistle to the Hebrews the usual formula is, -As the Holy Ghost saith". Such forms of expression as -the Scripture said", were common in the Rabbinic writers.

The connexion of this verse with what precedes is this: Abraham was justified by faith, and they who are of faith are his children. But on the authority of the same Scripture we know that this filial relationship is not limited to his natural descendants, for it was promised that in him all nationsshould be blessed.

would justify Pres. tense, - justifieth ", by an eternal law of His moral government.

the heathen Better, - the Gentiles ".

preached before the gospel Proclaimed the good tidings of justification by faith for all who believe. This announcement was made before, -a Gospel before Gospel times", Bengel. Others explain it a Gospel antecedent not only to the Law, but to the institution of circumcision, Romans 4:11.

in thee This is supposed by some to mean "as their spiritual progenitor". Of course there is no reference to a transmitted and inherited faith. Dr Jowett's explanation is undoubtedly right, "in thee, by anticipation", that is, "as the progenitor of the Messiah" (Bengel). The blessing (justification) comes to man only from the atoning death and imputed merit of Christ. It was apprehended by faith in the case of Abraham; it is so apprehended by each one of his spiritual descendants. Thus, Galatians 3:9, they that are of faith (note Galatians 3:7) are blessed withfaithful Abraham.