Galatians 4
In this chapter, Paul continues his argument about the difference between living under the law and living under the promise of faith. He uses the metaphor of an heir to describe the transition from being under the law to receiving full adoption as sons of God. He also contrasts Hagar and Sarah to illustrate the difference between the old and new covenants.
Galatians 4:1 (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,"
Paul begins by explaining that an heir, despite his future inheritance, has no practical difference from a servant while he is still a child. He must still live under guardianship and rules, much like the people of God under the law before the coming of Christ.
Galatians 4:2 (NKJV)
"but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father."
Though an heir may one day have great authority, he remains under the supervision of tutors and managers until the father determines that he is ready to take control. This reflects the state of God's people under the law, waiting for the appointed time of Christ.
Galatians 4:3 (NKJV)
"Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world."
Paul likens the Galatians' former spiritual condition to children in bondage, enslaved by the basic principles of the world. These "elements" likely refer to both the law and the worldly systems that enslaved them before the fullness of time came through Christ.
Galatians 4:4 (NKJV)
"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,"
At the perfect moment in history, God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world. Jesus was born of a woman, fully human, and born under the same law as the people He came to redeem. This affirms both Christ's humanity and His role in fulfilling the law.
Galatians 4:5 (NKJV)
"to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons."
Christ came to redeem those trapped under the law, fulfilling its demands so that believers could receive adoption as sons of God. This adoption brings freedom from the law and the privilege of becoming God's children, with all the associated blessings.
Galatians 4:6 (NKJV)
"And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!'"
As proof of their adoption, God sends the Spirit of His Son into the hearts of believers. This Spirit enables them to call out to God as "Abba," an intimate term meaning "Father," signifying a close, personal relationship with God.
Galatians 4:7 (NKJV)
"Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."
Paul emphasizes that believers are no longer slaves but sons, and as sons, they are also heirs to God's promises through Christ. This inheritance includes the blessings of salvation and eternal life.
Galatians 4:8 (NKJV)
"But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods."
Before knowing the true God, the Galatians were enslaved to false gods and idols. Paul reminds them of their former life in spiritual ignorance, under the control of powers that were not divine.
Galatians 4:9 (NKJV)
"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?"
Paul challenges the Galatians for returning to legalism after coming to know God—or, more accurately, being known by God. He refers to the law as weak and impoverished compared to the riches of faith in Christ.
Galatians 4:10 (NKJV)
"You observe days and months and seasons and years."
The Galatians were reverting to observing Jewish religious calendars, a sign that they were slipping back into legalism. Paul warns them that such practices do not lead to righteousness and are not necessary for salvation.
Galatians 4:11 (NKJV)
"I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain."
Paul expresses deep concern that his efforts to bring the Galatians to faith might be wasted if they abandon the gospel of grace and return to legalistic observances. His fear reflects his pastoral heart for their spiritual well-being.
Galatians 4:12 (NKJV)
"Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all."
Paul appeals to the Galatians to imitate his life of freedom in Christ. He had adapted to their culture to win them to the gospel and now asks them to follow his example of living in grace, not under the law.
Galatians 4:13 (NKJV)
"You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first."
Paul reminds them that when he first came to preach the gospel, he was suffering from some physical ailment. Despite his weakness, he faithfully delivered the message of salvation, and the Galatians responded.
Galatians 4:14 (NKJV)
"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."
The Galatians did not scorn Paul because of his illness but instead welcomed him with great honor, as though he were a messenger from God or even Christ Himself. Paul highlights their previous positive relationship.
Galatians 4:15 (NKJV)
"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 recalls the great affection and generosity the Galatians had once shown him. Their love was so strong that they would have made great sacrifices for his well-being, perhaps even giving up their own eyes, indicating deep care.
Galatians 4:16 (NKJV)
"Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?"
Paul now challenges them, asking if he has become their enemy simply because he is speaking the truth to them. His honesty and concern for their spiritual welfare had created tension, but he seeks to remind them of his love.
Galatians 4:17 (NKJV)
"They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them."
Paul warns that the false teachers are eager to win over the Galatians but with ulterior motives. Their goal is to alienate the Galatians from Paul and the true gospel so that they can gain control over them.
Galatians 4:18 (NKJV)
"But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you."
Paul encourages the Galatians to maintain their enthusiasm, but for good causes, not just when he is with them. Their zeal should be consistent and directed toward truth and righteousness, not toward false teachings or external pressures.
Galatians 4:19 (NKJV)
"My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,"
Paul uses the metaphor of childbirth to describe his deep concern for the Galatians. He is in spiritual agony as he works to see Christ formed in them, meaning that their faith matures and they live fully in Christ's image.
Galatians 4:20 (NKJV)
"I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you."
Paul wishes he could be with the Galatians in person to better express his heart and perhaps use a gentler tone. He is deeply worried about their spiritual state and the influence of false teachers, which has caused him to speak more sternly.
Galatians 4:21 (NKJV)
"Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?"
Paul challenges those who want to return to living under the law, asking them if they truly understand what it means. By questioning them, he intends to reveal the futility of relying on the law for righteousness when it cannot save.
Galatians 4:22 (NKJV)
"For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman."
Paul introduces the allegory of Abraham's two sons to illustrate the difference between living under the law and living under the promise. Ishmael, born of Hagar, represents slavery to the law, while Isaac, born of Sarah, represents freedom through the promise of God.
Galatians 4:23 (NKJV)
"But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,"
Ishmael, born to Hagar, was a result of human effort and represents living by the flesh, while Isaac, born to Sarah, was a child of divine promise, symbolizing God's grace and the fulfillment of His word to Abraham.
Galatians 4:24 (NKJV)
"which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—"
Paul explains that these two women, Hagar and Sarah, represent two covenants. Hagar symbolizes the covenant of the law given at Mount Sinai, which leads to slavery, as the law reveals sin but cannot free from its power.
Galatians 4:25 (NKJV)
"for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—"
Hagar, representing Mount Sinai and the earthly Jerusalem, stands for the current state of Israel, which is enslaved under the law and its demands. This Jerusalem is still bound by legalistic practices, and her people live in spiritual bondage.
Galatians 4:26 (NKJV)
"but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all."
In contrast, the heavenly Jerusalem represents freedom. This spiritual Jerusalem is the true home of all believers, who are free from the law through faith in Christ. This "Jerusalem above" is the mother of all who are born again through the promise.
Galatians 4:27 (NKJV)
"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 quotes Isaiah to show that just as Sarah, who was barren, rejoiced when she bore Isaac, so too can the "barren" rejoice in God's miraculous work. The barren woman (Sarah) now has more children, symbolizing the growth of those who live by faith in God's promise.
Galatians 4:28 (NKJV)
"Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise."
Paul reminds the Galatians that they, like Isaac, are children of the promise. Just as Isaac was born through God's miraculous intervention, so are believers born again through faith in God's promise, not through their own efforts or the works of the law.
Galatians 4:29 (NKJV)
"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."
Just as Ishmael, who was born according to the flesh, persecuted Isaac, who was born according to the Spirit, so too the Judaizers (those advocating for the law) persecute believers who live by faith. This spiritual opposition continues, reflecting the tension between law and grace.
Galatians 4:30 (NKJV)
"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.'"
Paul refers to the Scripture where God instructed Abraham to cast out Hagar and Ishmael, symbolizing that those who live under the law will not share in the inheritance with those who live by the promise. The law and grace cannot coexist; only grace leads to salvation.
Galatians 4:31 (NKJV)
"So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free."
Paul concludes by affirming that believers are not children of the bondwoman (the law) but of the free woman (grace). As children of the free, they are heirs of the promise and have true freedom in Christ, no longer enslaved to the law.