We are Free!

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, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain. Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.” Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

In God’s timing. . .

Paul continues with argument that we are all children of God through faith in Jesus Christ using illustration of a child heir. That child is no different than a slave in that they both are under supervision and some has to manage their affairs. The heir will no longer be subject to supervision and management upon the set time determined by the father.

Paul goes on to identify himself and the Galatians as children, not heirs, who were in slavery to elemental spiritual forces or elementary principles. Word only used four times by Paul (vv. 3, 9; Col 2:8, 20). Three ideas of scholars: elementary principles of religion; spiritual elements; spiritual forces). I believe the meaning conveyed is elementary principles of religion based on context of letters.

“But” the time set by God had come in the sending of His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, TO redeem those under the law, TO receive adoption to sonship. Because they are now sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into their hearts, that calls out Abba, Father; thus, they are no longer slaves but children and God had made also heirs.

Being “under the law” applies to both Jews and Greeks (Rom 2:12-15; 3:9; 3:23). Adoption to sonship as well because it is God doing the choosing. Roman-Greco culture also adopted heirs so they would have understood illustration given.

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

Unknowing of God, Galatians were slaves to their religious practices and gods who are not gods. “But” in knowing God or rather (“rather” used to bring attention to one’s point. it means to speak more correctly) are known by God, Paul asked how could they turn back to the weak and feeble principles, thus subject themselves to slavery all over again?

They are subjecting themselves to previous practices concerning observation of special days, seasons, and years. In context, Paul is more likely making reference to coming of religious practices of paganism and turning back to Jewish practices. Therefore, Paul expressed fear he wasted his efforts (hard work leading to weariness).

Paul pours out his heart

Paul pleaded with them to “become like him, for he became like them.” What did he mean? Paul credentials and calling in Gal 1:13-16. His missionary strategy in terms of cultural accommodation without compromise of conviction for the sake of furthering the gospel (1 Co 9:19-23).

It was a bodily ailment or illness that led to Paul preaching to them. Paul more than likely stopped in Galatia on his missionary journey to recoup. Nevertheless, he used the opportunity to preach the truth of the gospel. Evidently, Paul considered his bodily illness a trial for the Galatians, who did not despise (make no account of) or reject (to spit out) him but received as if he was an angel of God or Christ himself. Considering the compassion and affections they demonstrated towards him, what happened? Paul could testify they would have went through great lengths to demonstrate their love for him, even the tearing out of their own eyes and giving it to him (possible allusion to his ailment but it is also a phrase used to express Sacrificial Love). So he pondered, what happened? Am I now your enemy by telling you the truth?

The Judaizers are zealous (burning desire) to win them over but for no good (works of the law). The Judaizers desired to alienate (shut out or to prevent the approach of one) them from Paul and those with him, so the Galatians can have a burning desire for them. Being zealous is good provided the purpose is good in all situations. Finally, Paul tenderly talks about feeling like a mother who again goes through the pains of childbirth for the sake of her children. This is a reference to the agony he was feeling over their spiritual situation. Paul was in so much agony of there spiritual situation that he wished he could speak to them in person rather than write because he is perplexed (loss with oneself) about them.

Children of the free woman

“Those want to be under the law are you aware of what the law says?” (v. 21) Question is a means to support doctrine of justification by faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul uses the illustration of Abrahams son’s born to Hagar and Sarah. Those that are under the law and slavery to those that are children of promise and free. Works of the law and justification by faith in Jesus.

Hagar = son of slave woman born according to the flesh (Ishmael). Sarah = son of free woman born through promise (Isaac)

“Now this may be interpreted allegorically” or figuratively: May be better understood as a type based on the fact their are new covenant realities to this. Regardless, this should not be taken literal!

Two covenants. Hagar = covenant given at Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves. Corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem (the law and it is the center of temple worship). Sarah = the Jerusalem that is above is free. Quotes Is 54:1--“This famous passage of Scripture likens the city of Jerusalem to a barren widow sitting at the gates of Jerusalem. She is covered in sackcloth and ashes because her husband has been carried away into captivity and she has no children to care for her in her old age.”

George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 344). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Now that truth establishes them as children of promise like Isaac, the son of promise to Abraham and Sarah. However, we find the same work then is happening now where the children born according to the flesh is persecuting the children born by the power of the Spirit. But, Scripture say, “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the woman’s son will never share in the inheritance of the free woman’s son. Clear expression that justification through faith, alone. Therefore, we are children of the free woman.

Concluding thoughts...

Jesus saves! Although, like children, we were once slaves under elementary principles of this world. Remember, both Jews had the law and Gentiles were a law unto themselves, showing the requirements of the law were written on their hearts. Nevertheless, God sent his Son of God (argument for his divinity), born of a woman (argument for his humanity), born under the law (subject to temptation but did not sin) , TO redeem (purchased with his blood) those under the law (becoming a curse), that we might receive adoption to sonship (God choosing us to become his children). It is the Spirit of Christ (attesting to the relationship of the Godhead) that dwells in us where we call out or testify, Abba, Father.

God has made you also an heir (attest to God choosing a people for himself).

We are known by God (Ro 8:28-30)

Show compassion towards one another. Your brothers/sisters illnesses test your Christian character (Matt 25:31-36; James 2:1-25; 1 Jn 3:16-18)

Use every opportunity to preach the gospel (2 Timothy 4:2)

We can become enemies by telling people the truth? (Matt 10:32-39)

Being zealous is fine, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when you are around certain people.

We are free! So who the Son sets free they are free indeed(Jn 8:36). We are no longer under seige (live by the standards of this world) but we are the one laying seige with divine weapons that demolish strongholds (2 Co 10:3). We are equipped to stand our ground and continue standing amid spiritual battles, as well as fight (Eph 6:10-18). By God’s grace we are free to say “NO!” to sin ( Titus 2:11).

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