Page 100 - Sarah's Children

not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to
your seed," that is, Christ. For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no
longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by
means of a promise.

Paul is establishing who the true seed is, and who will inherit the promised
inheritance that was given to Abraham and his seed. By identifying who the true seed
is (Christ), Paul is able to show how foolish those are who assert that believers must
come under the Law, because the promise given to Abraham was not based upon
keeping the Law. Indeed, the law was given 430 years after Abraham.

This is essential to understanding this passage and interpreting the scripture that
many are quoting. Who are the inheritors of the promise? Under normal Jewish law
daughters did not inherit, only sons did, the exception being families that had no
sons. Neither did slaves within the household inherit, nor foreigners. The inheritance
was given to the male seed of the father.

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Yahshua.
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves
with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor
free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ
[Yahshua]. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's
offspring, heirs according to promise.

Paul is speaking of the rights of inheritance here. The very next verse after the one
that says there is neither male nor female states “And if you belong to Christ, then
you are... heirs according to promise.” This whole passage is establishing who will
inherit the promises given to Abraham. This is no teaching on governmental order.
Paul is not overthrowing the teaching that “Christ is the head of man, and man is the
head of woman.”

Paul is joyfully asserting that all those who come to God on the basis of faith are the
true children of Abraham. They are sons because they are in the Son. They share in
the inheritance. Observance of the Law does not determine who inherits the
promises of God and who do not. Indeed, the law never determined who was a true
son of Abraham.

Paul is saying that among the body of Christ, all share in the inheritance and all are
considered sons in relationship to the promise given. Some are not Jews who inherit
the promise, and some Greeks who are excluded from the promise. Some are not
slaves who are excluded, while others are free and are included. Some are not male
who receive the promise, while others are female and are excluded from the promise.
All are in Christ. All receive the promise. All are inheritors.