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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - Galatians 3:15 - 3:15
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
After the manner of men (κατὰ ἄνθρωπον)
According to human analogy; reasoning as men would reason in ordinary affairs. The phrase is peculiar to Paul. See Rom 3:5; 1Co 3:3; 1Co 9:8; 1Co 15:32; Gal 1:11. Comp. ἀνθρώπινος as a man, Rom 6:19.
Though it be - yet
The A.V. and Rev. give the correct sense, but the order of the Greek is peculiar. Ὅμως yet properly belongs to οὐδεὶς no man: “Though a man's covenant yet no man disannulleth it.” But ὅμως is taken out of its natural place, and put at the beginning of the clause, before ἀνθρώπου, so that the Greek literally reads: “Yet a man's covenant confirmed no one disannulleth, etc.” A similar displacement occurs 1Co 14:7.
Covenant (διαθήκην)
Not testament. See on Mat 26:28, and see on Heb 9:16.
Confirmed (κεκυρωμένην)
Po. See 2Co 2:8. In lxx, Gen 23:20; Lev 25:30; 4 Macc. 7:9. From κῦρος supreme power. Hence the verb carries the sense of authoritative confirmation, in this case by the contracting parties.
Disannulleth (ἀθετεῖ)
See on bring to nothing, 1Co 1:19. Rev. maketh void.
Addeth thereto (ἐπιδιατάσσεται)
N.T.o. Adds new specifications or conditions to the original covenant, which is contrary to law. Comp. ἐπιδιαθήκη a second will or codicil, Joseph B. J. 2:2, 3; Ant. 17:9, 4. The doctrine of the Judaisers, while virtually annulling the promise, was apparently only the imposing of new conditions. In either case it was a violation of the covenant.