Galatians.7

From Bondage to Freedom: The Journey of Faith

Bible Passage: Galatians 4:8–20

Summary: In Galatians 4:8–20, Paul expresses concern for the Galatians who are turning back to the bondage of the law after experiencing the freedom found in Christ. He reminds them of their previous state as slaves to worldly elements and contrasts it with the freedom they now have as heirs in Christ.

Freedom from Enslavement Paul’s passionate appeal warning against returning to spiritual slavery and expressing his concern for the Galatians’ welfare.

1. Returning to Bondage: A Dangerous Temptation

Galatians 4:8–9 “But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 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?”

Former Bondage and Present Danger

Galatians 4:3 spoke of our former bondage, “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.” Paul recalls the Galatians’ past ignorance of God and their former idolatry, then contrasts this with their present knowledge of God and God’s knowledge of them. He compares their former idolatry with their present interest with serving the Law, showing that both represent slavery and neither deserves their allegiance.

Believers ofter face the temptation of returning to familiar old habits of legalism. Some are comfortable in living in a form of grace for themselves but not offering it to others. Dabbling in worldly sins but redefining them as choices. Thinking themselves as strong, they inch closer to the thinnest ice on the pond. They are know by God, yet use grace as an occasion for sin (Tit 2:11-12).

1 Peter 2:15–16 “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.”

Never entertain the thoughts of returning to weak, beggarly elements of this world.

Colossians 2:8 “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.”

Colossians 2:20 “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—”

στοιχεῖον stoicheion is the Greek for elements Gal 4:3, 9; and principles in Col 2:8, 20. BDAG defines it this way “transcendent powers that are in control over events in this world”

It is interesting to note that 2 Pe 3:10, 12 reveals these “elements” will burn up with fervent heat at the Day of the Lord.

2. Rituals Over Relationship: A False Hope

Galatians 4:10–11 “You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.”

The Threat of Legal Observance

The Judaizers were seeking to impose the Law of Moses on Gentile believers through observance of the Jewish calendar. Paul expresses fear not for their eternal destiny but for their present and eternal rewards, concerned that if they fall away, his labor among them will have been in vain; the expected spiritual fruit failing to materialize. Preoccupation with “religion” distracts from the finished work in Christ. Rituals rather than faith, days rather than a relationship, Seasons and a temporal value system rather than eternal value system.

Colossians 2:16 tells us, “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,” While there is liberty to enjoy the fullness of God’s calendar to place the calendar above salvation by faith is legalism. To expect blessings from misplaced efforts and rituals distorts the blessings of a grace filled life.

Observance of holidays is vain when we expect the blessing to come from the holiday. But a blessing when we remember the reason for the season. Worship Christ not the ritual.

3. Unified in Freedom: A Call to Fellowship

Galatians 4:12–15 “Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 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. 15 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.”

Paul’s Personal Appeal and Example

Since Paul became like the Galatians by eating their foods despite any prior religious prohibitions, he urges them to become like him and live as free Gentiles once again. 1 Cor 9:19-23 Paul writes of the liberty to assimilate to culture to win souls. “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” Without sinning and to the best ability not to offend, just as Christ became a man to save men (Pp 2:5-8), Paul used culture to reach the lost.

Paul’s physical infirmity, possible an eye disease, caused him to preach the gospel to the Galatians initially, as he would have possibly taken a different route if healthy. The Galatians responded to his infirmity with faith and Spirit-empowered love. Their self-sacrificing love allowed them to enjoy the blessing that comes to those who walk in the Spirit (Paul speaks more on that in chapter 5 and 6).

Gal 4:13 describe preaching to the Galatians during this trip with a physical infirmity. He calls it a trial in Gal 4:14 for which in Galatians 4:15 Paul praises the Galatians, “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.”

Escape to Derbe - Acts 14:19–20 “Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.”

Did Paul really die? Paul in 2 Cor 12:2,7 describe a man caught up to Paradise, the third heaven. Could that be from this episode in Lystra? He was supposed dead. Some feel this is linked to Paul’s thorn in the flesh. The thorn is thought to have been an eye disease because of his vision in heaven. It was to humble him, and it did. He said that he wrote in large letters in Gal 6:11 and had dictated his epistles.  Perhaps these are a clue to this malady.

4. Prioritizing Truth: A Courageous Stance

Galatians 4:16–17 “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? 17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.”

The Contrast Between Paul and the Agitators

Paul perceives that the Galatians could now regard him as an enemy for telling them the truth. Perhaps he is exaggerating their response to an extreme to show a point. The light is hated by the darkness, They would have us extinguish the torch to be rid of the light. The agitators are motivated by self-centered divisiveness and are not truly interested in the Galatians’ well-being, unlike Paul, who regards them as his children in the Lord.

Beware of those who use words to cast a shadow on truth. Some who would exalt “friendship” over true fellowship. Paul identified with a rhetorical question regarding the Galatians' changed perspective towards him a drifting away from the truth he preached. He boldly addresses their drift from appreciation to alienation. They were in danger of being out of fellowship with God (Ro 16:17-18).

1 John 2:9–11 “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”

Beware of those who cast a shadow on the truth. Zeal is not a substitute for truth.

Romans 16:17–18 “17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”

Titus 3:10–11 “10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.”

2 Peter 2:1–3 “1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.”

Proverbs 6:16–19 “16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.”

5. Nurturing Growth: A Gospel-Centered Community

Galatians 4:18–20 “But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.”

Paul’s Maternal Anguish

This is a sad passage to end the week with, but the reality of folks staying in the truth is a major concern for any Pastor.

Paul addresses the deceivers’ zeal, his own teaching about good zeal, his travail in spiritual labor, and his trouble over the Galatians distance from him. The Christians there were challenged as we are to be the same in private as when in public. Church starts when the benediction is given and we leave the sanctuary. It is there where we are challenged to practice what’s been preached.

Paul employs the evocative metaphor of birth pangs to depict the strained status of his relationship with the Galatians. He is zealous for their spiritual health. Their spiritual welfare was at stake. They were eternally saved, but their growth was about to be shipwrecked, they may never reach maturity. All hope of an abundant life was in the balance. The enemy could destroy an entire church that Paul had struggled for.

There is always a need to be vigilant when it comes to Judaizers, false teachers, and charlatans. Christians should pray for leaders like Paul, who look out for their spiritual welfare. Paul wanted to be near so he might have a more personal hands on leadership. His tone in a letter had to be strict and certain. His in person ministry would include a much more nuanced approach. It is a shame that he had doubts about these folks.

Let’s not allow the enemy to divide, distract, or throw doubt on the amazing work of grace in our churches.