+I. Redemption was effected by Christ enduring the penalty of violated law+ (ver. 13). +II. Redemption by Christ has brought blessing to all nations.+--"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ" (ver. 14). +III. The spiritual results of redemption are realised only by faith.+--"That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (ver. 14). Ver. 13. _The Curse and Sentence of the Law_ lies on record against sinners, it puts in its demand against our acquittance, and lays an obligation upon us unto punishment. God will not reject nor destroy His law. Unless it be answered, there is no acceptance for sinners. Christ answered the curse of the law when He was made a curse for us, and so became, as to the obedience of the law, the end of the law for righteousness to them that believe. And as to the penalty that it threatened, He bore it, removed it, and took it out of the way. So hath He made way for forgiveness through the very heart of the law; it hath not one word to speak against the pardon of those who believe.--_John Owen._ _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 15-18. _The Divine Covenant of Promise_-- +I. Is less susceptible of violation than any human covenant.+--"Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed [approved], no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto" (ver. 15). Common equity demands that a contract made between man and man is thoroughly binding and should be rigidly observed; and the civil law lends all its force to maintain the integrity of its clauses. How much more certain it is that the Divine covenant shall be faithfully upheld. If it is likely that a human covenant will not be interfered with, it is less likely the Divine covenant will be changed. Yet even a human covenant may fail; the Divine covenant never. It is based on the Divine Word which cannot fail, and its validity is pledged by the incorruptibility of the Divine character (Mal. iii. 6).