Galatians 6:16 A Favorite

Galatians 6:16 is a proof text used by covenant theologians. This verse is used to merge the Church and Israel together, or to just say that the Church has replaced Israel. Some object to the word “replaced” and say “O no, we believe in fulfillment” which is still results in the vanquishing of Israel’s distinction as a nation and people chosen by God with eternal promises. A grammatical understanding of this verse is strongly supportive that Paul is actually maintaining a distinction between a saved Jewish remnant and Gentile believers who are both in the Church.

The grammar maintains the distinction. The use of “upon” (epi) twice in this same phrase maintains the distinction. It would been have more likely for Paul to use “upon” only one time if these two entities were identical. The word “and” is the normal and most likely way to translate the connective conjunction (kai). Some translate (kai) as “even” but this would be a very rare and not likely a good translation for (kai) in this construction using (epi) twice. Compare other uses of "(kai) in the NT where something can be true of two different but distinct ideas.

“If Israel here means the Church as a whole it would be the only place in the Bible that the word “Israel” does not actually mean “Israel.” Galatians, Homer A Kent. Greek Professor at Grace Theological Seminary for 40 years.

Israel of God (v. 16)—all Jewish believers in Christ, that is, those who are both physical and spiritual descendants of Abraham (see Romans 2:28–29; 9:6–7; Galatians 3:7, 18) MacArthur, John. Galatians: The Wonderous Grace of God. MacArthur Bible Studies. Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group, 2000.

Romans 2:28-29

28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. NKJV

Romans 9:6-7

6 But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” NKJV