Over 4,000 years ago, God promised Abraham that through one of his descendants (seed) all the world would be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3; 12:7 ; 13:15; 24:7). The Jews thought that the blessing was going to come through each of them because they were all descended from Abraham. But Paul knew his Hebrew very well. The word ‘seed’ is not plural but singular. God’s primary promise was not about the Jews or the law, but about Christ.
 
The law came over 400 years after Abraham, but could never undo God’s promise about the Lord Jesus Christ. So when the false teachers were trying to get new Christians to conform to the Jewish law, Paul said that they did not need to do so, because the law was only a temporary matter until Christ came. So God is more pleased with people who become devoted to Jesus than if they tried to keep all the old rules (nobody has ever succeeded). Disciples of Jesus have grasped hold of God’s original promise to Abraham; and that applies to Jews and Gentiles alike.
 
It is hard for some people to understand that all God’s promises are completed in the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). Often people think that they have to go on a journey to find God, but He has already revealed Himself in Jesus Christ. Others think that they should pick the best bits out of different religions and try to find God that way. But God’s ancient promise holds good. As Peter said, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). In the same way that Paul had to keep on emphasizing the need to trust in Christ alone, so we too have a responsibility to tell our friends and colleagues.