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Galatians 4
Galatians 4
Galatians 4:1–4 (NKJV)
Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
Paul is using an illustration here so that they can understand.
Heir. One who inherits something or who is entitled to a future inheritance; the one who receives the property of a deceased person, particularly on the basis of law and usually by means of a will. In both the OT and NT, the Hebrew and the Greek words encompass these ideas.
In Paul’s time, children received their inheritance when they came of age. Until then, they had neither decision-making rights nor freedom.
no different from a slave Under Roman law, underage children could not exercise legal power over their inheritance; their status was almost identical to that of a slave. Paul uses this analogy to illustrate the condition of those living under the law.
here we usually wont receive an inheritance until we turn 18.
We have to be of a legal age. Paul is saying the same thing you can own it but are under usually a guardian that has been assigned to the child. not free to use the inheritance until you are old enough.
A slave has to ask permission and isn't free to do as he wants. this comparison they can relate.
The same way when we were part of this world . We answered to this world.
We in bondage to this world. The Jews were living under the law. The law was given to show us that no way we could live under it . it was held over our head.
Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
So they are putting themselves back to slavery having no say and under bondage( captive) from basic principles of this world.
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
The fullness of the time-
Paul is using the coming of age. which Jews to inherit their inheritance had to be a certain age.
and the coming of Jesus.
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
This is the fullness of time.
For years the Jews waited for Jesus to come.
How long have we been praying for something and wandering When??
God’s timing is perfect.
His whole purpose was to free us from being enslaved and to set us free.
Jesus was born of a women but was fully God and fully man.
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
As adopted children of God we share with Jesus all to God’s resources . As God’s heirs we can claim what he has provided for us.
once again relating to slave. Under Roman law an adopted child or slave had rights to property that belonged to his father. They were guaranteed all legal property. and were treated as if they were biological sons.
That is what we have. and Paul was telling the churches in Galatia the same thing.
So much that we can call God Abba, Father
Abba is close and an intimate word for God. like daddy
But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
Paul is talking about being enslaved under bondage.
going back to their old ways. Traditions
The Jews and Gentiles observed many special days and seasons at different times
On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the Lord’s Passover.
Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the Lord.
And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God.
613 laws and commandments.
Paul is like come on. did everything I teach you mean nothing. Was I talking to talk.
as a parent we can relate to this with our children. this is probably he refers to them as children.
Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all.
Paul who is being stern still has hope. Brethren.
become like me.
Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
As a christian we should always be setting ourselves up as an example to others. knowing that people are always watching us and how we live. For young Christians look to mature believers for advise and questions on how to follow God or how to answer questions. Remember that they aren't perfect and can let people down. For we have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
Paul’s illness is not known. But....
Paul’s illness could of been with his eyes. He did say you would of plucked out your own eyes. We do know that he didn't write all the letters with his own hands.
Most scholars believe that he wrote 7 of the 13 letters. this book scholars do believe that he did write with his own hand.
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
This allows us to see Paul as human and with trials.
They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.
Zealous- with great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause.
for no good- in Paul's mind they are motivated by self centered divisiveness. They weren't truly interested in the well beings of the Galatians.
Be Zealous in a good thing always. Be enthusiastic and energized all the time not just when i’m with you.
My litttle children- a form of endearment. he really cares about them. he introduced them to Jesus Christ. Paul is hurting for them that they have turned from the gospel. saved by grace.
Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband.” Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology (Allegory)
Allegory. A popular form of literature in which a story points to a hidden or symbolic parallel meaning. Certain elements, such as people, things, and happenings in the story, point to corresponding elements in another realm or level of meaning. (e.g., Pilgrim’s Progress and The Narnia Chronicles).
In Galatians 4:21–31 Paul uses the story of the children of Sarah (Isaac) and Hagar (Ishmael) and the images of Jerusalem above and Mount Sinai as a double allegory, both pairs contrasting the covenant of freedom and the covenant of slavery. This allegory adds an earthy, emotional appeal to Paul’s arguments for freedom in Christ.
Paul was a trained Rabbi; and that is what he is doing here. He takes the story involving Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael and Isaac (Genesis 16, 17, 21), which in the Old Testament is a straightforward narrative, and he
turns it into an allegory to illustrate his point.
Galatians 4:21–27 (NKJV)
Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband.”
Paul is quoting Isaiah 54:1
“Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, You who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate Than the children of the married woman,” says the Lord.
Referring to Sarah
bondwomen free women represent s 2 covenants.
bondwomen living under the law
free women free covenant of promise.
Hagar who was Sarah maidservant (slave) all her children were born into slavery. The law turns men and women into slaves of the law. Imagine to try and keep the law.present the law.
For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect: for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.
Circumcisions was sign to set the Jews apart from the gentiles.
When God made this promise to Abraham about his heir . Abraham wasn't circumcised at that time. it was his faith and his faith alone that God choose him.sometimes there are actions we do as believers in Jesus to demonstrate our love for him. But as a christian we should know that our faith should be on Jesus christ alone and his saving works he did for us not us and our works.
Sarah who was Abraham's wife had a son of promise from God even after she was way passed childbearing age.
Sarah represent those who are free from the law.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Genesis 16:4 (NKJV)
So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes.
This represent the Gentiles being persecuted by the Judaizers that they had to keep the law.if they wanted to be saved.
We too who believe on being saved by grace and grace alone not being good or doing or earning our way to be a christian will triumph with Jesus Christ as Sarah did.
Arabia was regarded as the land of slaves where the descendants of Hagar lived
Hagar herself was a slave, and all her children were born into slavery; and that covenant whose basis is the law turns men and women into slaves of the law. Hagar’s child was born from merely human instincts; and legalism is the best that human beings can do. On the other hand, Sarah stands for the new covenant in Jesus Christ, God’s new way of dealing with us not by law but by grace. Her child was born free, and all his descendants must be free
love is always more powerful than law.
which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband.”
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
Paul is saying we are not saved by the law. we are savewd by grace.
And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.