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Galatians 4:1–7 (ESV)

1 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, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.

3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba!

Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Opening Prayer

Recap

Paul has called those who put their faith in Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles alike, heirs of the promise.

A promise that goes all the way back to Genesis 3:15

A promise of One who would bring blessings...

And, the blessings He brings is a New Covenant.

A New Covenant that brings blessings to the Nations.

A New Covenant that provides for us...

And accomplishes, for us, what we could not do on our own.

A New Covenant that one enters by faith in Jesus.

Paul moves on to clarify even further...

The Example/Illustration

Galatians 4:1–2 (ESV)

1 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, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.

Here is what Paul means...

When a young father dies his minor child will have to wait for the inheritance until he is of age.

Though this child is the legal heir and as such “owner” of everything...

Yet, with respect to taking possession of, and exercising control over the estate that has been left to him...

He is no better off than a slave.

Until he attains to the age stipulated by the father, he is heir, by right, but not yet in fact.

For the time being this child is under guardians, to whose care he has been personally entrusted...

Under stewards (who were often slaves) to whom the oversight of his estate has been committed.

The Meaning of the Illustration

Let me break down what Paul is saying here and then I’ll summarize the meaning of the illustration that Paul is using here.

Galatians 4:3 (ESV)

3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.

These “elementary principles of the world” are elementary teachings regarding rules and regulations...

By which, both Jews and Gentiles...

Each in their own way, attempted by their own efforts...

According to their own fleshly (unregenerate) nature, to achieve salvation.

This is bondage to sin.

There was nothing wrong with the Law.

The problem was that the Jews began to look upon law-observance as the way that salvation could be achieved.

So, we have to remember that the Law is holy and good.

The problem is not the Law but the weakness, impotence, and sinfulness of the flesh.

Additionally, when the Jewish religious leaders began to add their own rules and regulations to those previously received...

That idea of keeping the law for salvation became their tyrant, to which they became enslaved.

The same was true with respect to the religions and duties by which the worshipers of pagan deities sought to achieve redemption.

By all such means, whether Jewish or pagan, people are putting themselves in bondage under sin.

And, yet claiming to be wise, they became fools...

They were actually increasing their indebtedness to the justice of God...

By increasing their sins against God.

But, God has offered rescue...

Galatians 4:4–5 (ESV)

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

The Incarnation occured precisely when God, the Father, ordained it to occur.

Only God could give an exhaustive list of why it was the right time...

But, we do know that everything that had occured up until the moment of the incarnation...

Was preparing the world for the arrival of the Promised seed of the woman...

Who would bring blessings to the world...

In the form of a New Covenant.

And, in that New Covenant and in that New Covenant alone...

Are the blessings received.

And, entrance into the new covenant is made effectual by the HS in regeneration...

And expressed or made known to others by Faith & Repentance.

And, that faith provided by the HS in regeneration...

Is what justifies us (declares us blameless) before God.

The coming of Christ, with His new covenant...

And faith in Him is exactly, precisely, and exclusively what delivers us from bondage to sin.

Listen to what Peter says regarding the deliverance we have in Christ...

Acts 15:8–11 (ESV)

8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.

10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? (why would we put them back into bondage) 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

So, Paul is illustrating this...

Just as an immature child is governed by rules and regulations...

So, also, before the dawning of the light of the gospel, we were in bondage to...

the elementary principles of the world.

But, the light of God has shone upon us...

2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV)

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

At the moment God made us alive together with Christ...

Is the very moment we were released from the bondage of sin.

All because of the details of what Paul says here in...

Galatians 4:4–5 (ESV)

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

The Nature & Work of Christ

We see here that Paul tells us that the eternal Son of God entered the world by being...

born of a woman

This takes us back to...

Genesis 3:15 (ESV)

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Christ took upon Himself the nature of those He would redeem...

In order to be our representative.

born under the law

Being born under the moral law

Jesus kept the Law of God perfectly on behalf of His people.

He was tempted in all points, as we are, yet, without sin.

So, that we might be adopted into the Covenant that Christ brings...

A New Covenant that we enter by faith...

And we leave the domain of darkness and enter the Kingdom of Christ.

We are...

Adopted to Joy

Galatians 4:6 (ESV)