οὐ γὰρ διὰ νόμου, γάρ = this is a full statement of the case, for law does not come in to qualify it.

διὰ νόμου, under conditions of law. Abraham was not under law when the promise was made; nor could the fact that his seed came under law affect the range or condition of the original promise; because promise and law have two quite different offices in GOD’S hands: to make inheritance, really based on promise, depend on law is to evacuate the faith, which accepted the promise, of all meaning, and in fact to annul the promise; because while the promise is given to faith, the law has for its function to emphasise the nature of sin, and transgression can occur only when there is law.

ἢ τῷ σπέρματι αὐτοῦ, ‘the seed’ (Genesis 22:18) is introduced here as recipient of the promise, so as to enforce the above argument as applying to more than Abraham.

τὸ κλ. α. ε. κ. A free summary of the promises.

διὰ δικ. π., under conditions of a righteousness given in response to faith.

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Old Testament