The abolition of the Law, consummated upon the cross, involved the doing away of all the old restrictions which confined the Messianic inheritance to the Jews. Henceforth this inheritance, and the promised outpouring of the Spirit which was to accompany it, was open equally to the Gentiles. The one condition now was faith, and that intimate relation to the Messiah which faith implied.

The blessing of Abraham. — That is, the blessing pronounced upon Abraham and to be fulfilled in his seed.

Through Jesus Christ. — Through the relation into which they enter with Christ by embracing Christianity.

We. — The Apostle and his readers, whether Jews or Gentiles.

Receive the promise of the Spirit. — A special outpouring of the Spirit was to be one of the characteristics of the great Messianic manifestation. (Comp. Joel 2:28; Acts 2:16.) The promise is said to be “received” by the generation on which it is fulfilled, not by that to which it is given. The same phrase occurs in Acts 2:33; Hebrews 9:15.

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