GALATIANS CHAPTER 4
(A Bible Study Commentary compiled by Don Krow)
GAL 4:1-2 [1] Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; [2] But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Paul is now giving a human illustration to show the state of spiritual immaturity that one experiences by being under the law. Paul states that being under the law is no better than being a slave. Whereas, faith in Christ brings us into a position of a full-grown son (Gal. 3:26).
"Now I say, That the heir {of an estate}, as long as he is a child {a small child that has not come to maturity} differeth nothing from a servant {a slave that worked in the Roman household} though he be lord {owner} of all;
But is under tutors {a guardian of the young child's person} and governors {a guardian of the child's property} until the time appointed of the father {under Roman law the age of maturity was determined by his father}" (Gal. 4:1-2).
Paul applies this illustration in verse 3.
GAL 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
By being under the law and outside of Christ we were the young child of v.v. 1-2 without really any spiritual rights. Paul states we "were in bondage under the elements of the world." These were the elementary ABC's or fundamental principles of discipline {this has special reference to the law}.
The Revised Standard Version translates this phrase, "we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe." If this translation be true then Paul is referring to the demonic spirits that brought bondage to our lives before we came to Christ. All of this adds up to this: Being under the law makes us slaves and does not have the power to free us from the flesh or the demonic realm {In fact it gives place to the devil because we are operating in our own strength}. Faith in Christ gives us deliverance from both.
GAL 4:4-5 [4] But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, [5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
When the right time of God's choosing came, God sent forth his Son in his pre-existent state from heaven into the world. He was born of a woman {virgin birth} and was made subject to the requirements of the law.
His purpose in coming into the world was 2-fold. (1) To "redeem," free and release those under law. He did this by perfectly keeping it, fulfilling it and paying its curse (Mt. 5:17; Gal. 3:13). Thus Christ delivered us from the entire system of the law. The Greek word for "redeem" used here is EX-AGORAZO and means "to buy OUT OF the slave market." "The word law is not preceded by the definite article, hence law in general is referred to here" (Wuest, Vol. 1, p. 115). This system of law was then superseded by grace with an emphasis on living by faith. (2) To give us the status of sonship with all its privileges (UBS Handbook, p. 91). In the Greek the expression means "adult-sons." Under grace we are treated as adults, not babies.
GAL 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
One of the benefits of being God's sons is receiving the indwelling of His Son's Spirit. This allows the believer to address God the Father in the same manner that Jesus did (Mk. 14:35-36). The word "Abba" is an Aramaic word used by Jesus (Mk. 14:36) and carries the idea of God being our "Daddy." It is a term used for intimacy and affectionate fondness. It removes the idea of God as our strict judge and carries the idea of Him being a loving Father who cares, understands and is our best friend.
GAL 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Paul states, We are no longer slaves to the law, but adult sons in the family of God. And if a son we are an heir of God {not an heir of Rockefeller but of God}. Receiving all that was promised to Christ.
GAL 4:8 [8] Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
Formerly, before the Galatian Christians knew God in an intimate way through Christ, they were slaves and in bondage to idols (1 Cor. 12:2). This passage may also refer to the demonic spirits behind their false religion. In reality, although called gods, their is only one true God by nature i.e. one Divine Spirit which is God. Those objects which the Galatians formerly worshipped and were subject to were really no gods at all. "Just as Paul had pointed out to Peter that they two were Jews "naturally", so here he points out that, by the very nature of the case, these "elements" could not be gods... To Paul, the great sin of idolatry is to worship the created thing rather than the creator (Rom. 1:5); and whether it be the "elements" or the "heavenly bodies", all are the work of God's hand" (TNTC, p. 118).
GAL 4:9-11 [9] But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? [10] Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. [11] I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
The "weak and beggarly elements" are the principles of the world's religious system that try to gain God's acceptance through various religious observances such as observing days, months, times and years, etc.
This is a reference back to verse 3 which speaks of the fundamental principles of discipline {a special reference to the law}. Paul describes the "weak and beggarly elements." "Weak" meaning POWERLESS to save, "beggarly" meaning POVERTY i.e. a total inadequate religious system, also translated "worthless" and "beggarly" (NAB; NEB).
Paul is stating, After finding freedom through Christ Jesus, Why turn back again to the bondage of trying to find God's favor and acceptance through law. You are observing days {the sabbath}, months and times {New Moons Num. 10:10; Passover, Firstfruits, etc.}, years {the sabbath year Lev. 25:4; the year of jubilee, etc.}.
If the Galatians persist in turning back to the law for their justification, Paul fears that his labour has been in vain.
GAL 4:12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
Paul is now pleading with the Galatians. "Most likely he is exhorting the Galatians to imitate him in abandoning the law as a means of being reconciled to God. In other words, although Paul was a Jew, he has become like the Galatians, that is, as a Gentile, free from the clutches of the law. That he regarded himself as outside the law is clear from 1 Cor. 9:20-21" (UBS Handbook, p. 100).
This may be paraphrased, "Make a break from the law as I have, for I became like you {a Gentile}, ye have done me no wrong, don't start now."
GAL 4:13-14 [13] Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. [14] And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
The following is an explanation of verses 13-14 from Bob Yandian's book, "Galatians." I believe his explanation of this passage is quite good.
"Note the last phrase of this verse (v. 13): AT THE FIRST. This tells us when it was that Paul came to these people to preach the Gospel to them THROUGH INFIRMITY. It was during his very first missionary trip to Galatia (which we remember is not a city, but a province in which Paul established churches in 4 cities: Antioch, Iconium, Derbe and Lystra). Let's read about this first journey to the province of Galatia, picking up Paul and Barnabas as they leave Antioch:
So we see that Paul and Barnabas were quite successful on their first trip to Galatia, but we also note that their success was not without opposition....
Now let's notice what happened after this healing took place and see if we can discover what might have actually been the cause of the infirmity from which Paul suffered during his first stay in Galatia:
So as a result of the healing of the lame man, the people of Lystra were convinced that Paul and Barnabas were Greek gods in the form of men....
(Gal. 4:14) "And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus." Paul reminds the Galatians that when he first brought to them the Gospel of grace, they had received him as if he were Jesus Christ Himself.
So Paul and Barnabas had to talk fast and hard to persuade the people of Lystra that they were no Greek gods in human flesh, but that they had come as representatives of the One true God, creator of heaven and earth. All this commotion in Lystra attracted the attention of the Jews. Let's read on to see what happened next:
So Paul was stoned by the Jews in Lystra. Most Biblical scholars agree that Paul was really dead, but was restored to life by God. Some even go so far as to speculate that this might have been the time during which he was taken up into the third heaven where he saw things which were unspeakable (2 Cor. 12). Whether this is so or not, the point is that Paul was assumed dead by the crowds who dragged him out of the city where they discarded what they thought to be his dead body. As the disciples stood around his prostrate form, Paul was revived, got to his feet and immediately went right back into the city. From there, he and Barnabas continued their missionary journey, retracing their steps throughout the whole province of Galatia, visiting the cities of Derbe, Iconium, and Antioch, besides returning to visit Lystra.
Now what do you think might have been Paul's appearance and physical condition after having just been stoned and dragged out of the city of Lystra? Is it likely that he showed any signs in his body of the beating he had just gone through? I'm sure he did. He was probably black and blue all over. His reference to the Galatians having been willing to have plucked out their own eyes for his sake could be an indication that his own eyes were temporarily damaged - perhaps black or even swollen shut - as he and Barnabas made their way through the cities of Galatia.
In any case, I believe there is much stronger evidence that the infirmity through which Paul preached while in Galatia was a temporary, man-induced condition which he eventually overcame, rather than being some chronic debilitating physical disease that he just had to live with all of this life.
"And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus" (Gal. 4:14). The expression MY TEMPTATION actually means "my test." Paul is simply saying here, "When I came to you the first time, I was suffering from the test of faith which I had just endured, but you did not let my repulsive physical condition deter you from receiving me as you would have received the Lord Himself" (Galatians, by Bob Yandian, pgs. 177-181).
GAL 4:15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
Legalism causes people to lose their joy. This is what happened to the Galatians. "Where is the blessedness you use to talk about?"
Paul is stating, "You at one time would have done anything for me, even given me your own eyes it that were needful. But now you've drawn back, it is you that has changed, not I."
GAL 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Because of Paul's strong correction that the Galatians were embracing a false gospel. Some might have gotten offended and regarded Paul as an enemy. Paul is now saying, "Does telling you the truth offend you and make me your enemy?"
GAL 4:17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.
Paul has addressed the false teacher's gospel and now he is addressing their motives. He is stating that they are zealous but not in a good way or for a good purpose. Their intentions is to alienate the Galatians from the true gospel and from those who teach it. So that instead of the Galatians going to Christ they will come to them {the Judiazers}.
GAL 4:18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
"It is good for people to show interest in you, but only if their purpose is always good. This is true whether I am with you or not" (Simple English Translation).
GAL 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
"In another letter, Paul pictures himself as a nursing mother (1 Th. 2:7); here he speaks of himself as a mother in childbirth, suffering birth pangs for the Galatians, who, by implication, are thought of as again in the womb, needing spiritual rebirth. Birth pangs are the most painful and at the same time the most rewarding experience of an expectant mother, and therefore they are an appropriate figure for the pain and suffering that Paul was undergoing because of the problems in the Galatian church" (UBS Handbook, p. 106).
"The word AGAIN tells us that at one time He (Christ) was clearly and abundantly evident in their experience. But now He ceased to be seen in the lives of the Galatian Christians" (Wuest's Word Studies, Vol. 1, pgs. 129-130).
What Paul is stating is that he wants to see the Galatians turn back to Christ and be developed and grow in Him again.
GAL 4:20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
Paul's desire is to be with the Galatians. Paul does not regret the things that he has said to the Galatians but the tone in which he had to say them. If he were with them he could approach them in a more gentle way. But since this was such a serious matter, the tone he used must be serious also.
The phrase "I stand in doubt of you" means "to be at a loss, to be disturbed" (UBS Handbook, p. 107) or feel so helpless about the situation. Paul was like a parent feeling so concerned about his children going astray.
GAL 4:21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
Paul is now using an allegory, a type of interpretation common among the rabbis. An allegory interprets scriptural events or persons as foreshadowing a deeper spiritual truth. In this passage 2 women represent 2 covenants. 2 children represent a work of the flesh, and a work of the Spirit {a promise}.
If the Galatians wanted to be under the law, Paul said, It is necessary that you understand what the law really says. {Here the law refers to the whole Old Testament or the first 5 books of Moses known as the Pentateuch.}
GAL 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
Paul's statement that "It is written" refers to a summary of Genesis chapters 16, 17 and 21. The story is of Abrahams two sons, Isaac and Ishamael. Ishmael was born of a slave woman, i.e. a slave of Abraham's wife. Sarah, the mother of Isaac was a freewoman, i.e. in contrast to a slave, she of course was not a slave.
GAL 4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Abrahams's son, born of his slave-wife was conceived and born according to the natural process. Abraham's son born through Sarah was a work of God's Spirit, conceived when Abraham and Sarah were incapable of having children. A result of God's "promise" given to Abraham (Gen. 15).
GAL 4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
These births represent 2 covenants. The covenant of Abraham {grace} and the covenant from mount Sinai {which is the law}.
Paul is saying that Hagar was a slave and her children would also be slaves unless the father {who was a free man} cared to adopt them.
GAL 4:25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Hagar represents Mount Sinai and the present city of Jerusalem which were enslaved to Rome and also to the law. Hagar's children being slaves also corresponds to the Jews' bondage of being under the law or as the Living Bible states, "The center of that system of trying to please God by trying to obey the commandments."
GAL 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
"The heavenly Jerusalem which is free...represents Sarah; and finally, grace and the faith way of salvation, for it is contrasted to the earthly Jerusalem which represents legalistic Judaism" (Wuest's Word Studies, Vol. 1, pgs. 133-134).
GAL 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
This is a quotation of Isaiah 54:1 from the Septuagint {the Greek translation of the Old Testament}. "... Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: The barren one here refers to Sarah. She was told of the lord to break forth into singing and rejoicing. When? Before she had even yet become pregnant. ...for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Sarah who, though she was barren, rejoiced at the promise of God that she would one day produce more offspring than the one in her household who had already given birth to a son. The offspring of Sarah would last...being spiritual...throughout all eternity" (Galatians, by Bob Yandian, pgs. 195-197).
GAL 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
"Just as Isaac was conceived, not through natural means, but through the fulfillment of God's promise, so the Galatians also have become God's children, not through their own efforts, much less through natural and physical descent, but exclusively as a fulfillment of what God promised to Abraham" (UBS Handbook, pgs. 115-116).
GAL 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
In the same way that Ishmael persecuted Isaac the child of promise {born by the power of God's Spirit} so it is now. Those that rely on the flesh {the law} persecute those born of the Spirit {those that have been saved by grace}.
There has always been and will always be only 2 kinds of religion. Those of faith {grace} and those of works {law}. Those of works will always continue to persecute those of grace. {Consider Cain and Abel - Gen. 4:3-8.}
GAL 4:30-31 [30] Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. [31] So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Paul is now taking the Galatians back to the scriptures. He is speaking from Genesis 21:9-14. The main point being: Just as Hagar and Ishmael will not have any part in the inheritance of Isaac. So also those of the covenant of law with it's legalism shall not inherit the promise of justification which comes by faith.
We are not the children of the bondwoman {the law} but acceptable to God through faith.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
(Sources cited and consulted)
(WWS or Wuest) Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament. Volume One. By Kenneth S. Wuest. Wm.B.Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49502.
(UBS Handbook) A Handbook on Paul's Letter to the Galatians. By Daniel C. Arichea & Eugene A. Nida. United Bible Societies, New York.
(TNTC) Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. (Galatians). By R.A.Cole. Inter-Varsity Press, Leicester, England. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(NAB) The New American Bible. 1970. A Roman Catholic translation.
(NEB) The New English Bible. Oxford University Press. 1970.
Galatians (The Spirit-Controlled Life) by Bob Yandian. Harrison House, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
(Simple English Translation) International Bible Foundation. Dallas, Texas.
(KJV) The King James Version of 1611.
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