Furious Chapter 18 Devotional

The Promised Seed

At first glance, Paul’s logic here might seem overly technical—even strange. He’s making a massive theological point based on grammar. But lean in. There’s something profound at work.

Paul zeroes in on a single word from the Abrahamic covenant: “offspring.” In Greek, the word is sperma—like its English counterpart, it’s singular in form but often collective in meaning. In other words, sperma can refer to a group or to an individual. Paul himself uses it collectively in other places (e.g., Romans 9:7–8). But here in Galatians 3, he presses into the singular meaning: the promises made to Abraham weren’t ultimately fulfilled through a nation or group of descendants—they were fulfilled in one person: Christ.

This doesn’t negate God’s covenant with Israel. Paul is not suggesting that the Jewish people are cut off from God’s plan. That would be a distortion of Paul’s theology—and a dangerous slide into replacement theology, which claims the Church has replaced Israel entirely. Paul explicitly rejects that view in Romans 11, saying, “Has God rejected His people? By no means!” (Rom. 11:1).

What Paul is doing in Galatians 3:16 is not canceling Israel’s role but clarifying the center of God’s promise. The ultimate fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant—the blessing to all nations—comes through Jesus Christ. He is the “Seed,” the singular offspring, in whom all the covenantal promises find their yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20).

But if that’s true, what do we make of ethnic Israel—especially those who don’t yet believe in Jesus?

Paul addresses this tension in Romans 9–11. He makes three vital points:

1. Not all Israel is Israel. The true children of Abraham are those who share Abraham’s faith. The promise isn’t about genetics—it’s about grace (Rom. 9:6–8).
2. Their rejection is not final. Israel’s current unbelief is partial and temporary. God is using the salvation of the Gentiles to provoke Israel to jealousy (Rom. 11:11), and a day is coming when “all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26).
3. God’s promises are irrevocable. The Jewish people remain beloved for the sake of the patriarchs. God’s call on them still stands (Rom. 11:28–29).

So when Paul says the promises were spoken to “one… who is Christ,” he’s not dismissing Israel. He’s revealing that Jesus is the only true inheritor—and mediator—of the covenant promises. And here’s the miracle: by faith, we are united with Christ. Which means we too become heirs of those promises—Jew and Gentile alike.

In Christ, the dividing wall comes down. In Christ, the covenant expands. In Christ, the promises of God overflow to the ends of the earth.

🔥 Reflection

Have you ever felt unsure of your place in God’s plan? Remember, if you are in Christ, you are part of the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham. That’s not just theology—it’s identity. You are an heir. You belong.

🙏 Prayer

Father, thank You for keeping Your promises across generations. Thank You for the gift of Jesus—the true offspring—and for including me in Your covenant family by faith. Help me walk in the fullness of what You’ve promised. Amen.

📣 Call-to-Action

Take time this week to read Romans 11. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a heart of humility toward God’s faithfulness, a deeper love for the Jewish people, and a greater confidence in your own inheritance in Christ.