Bible Commentaries
Galatians 4

Verses 1-3

1 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,

We do not enter God's family by adoption. We enter by being born again. Adoption has to do with our standing as an adult son.

2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.

As children we are under servants. As "sons" we stand in the position of an adult.

3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.

The Judiazers tried infancy and immaturity.

Elements = basic principles

Verses 8-9

8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.

Nature = long standing practice, habit, standard accepted custom

NOW: You know God. And, God knows you. Why turn back?

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?

The Galatians were leaving the bondage. They were "dropping out" of grace and enrolling in kindergarten - again.

Weak things - beggarly elements - Result in bondage.

Verses 10-11

10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.

Days = Sabbaths, Holy Days

Months = New Moon festivals

Times = Annual feasts like Pentecost, Passover, etc.

Years = Sabbath year, Jubilee

11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

The real issue is their binding of their observances.

Verses 12-14

12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all.

Paul turns from "spanking" them to "embracing" them as a father.

13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.

Some believe this is a reference to Paul's "thorn in the flesh."

We do not know what this "thorn" was. Several theories are set out. All of them are just that - theories.

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.

Angel = messenger. We think of wings, halo and white robe.

Paul brought them the message of salvation. He was an angel.

Verse 15

Where is the blessing? How are you blessed:

IF you reject the gospel?

IF you bind yourselves under the old law?

IF you return to that which can not save?

IF you observe "holy days" of Judiasm?

Verse 16

16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

Who is the enemy? Truth? Messenger?

False teachers who take away your liberty as a son.

Verses 17-18

17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.

Zeal is good (to a point).

When it has knowledge - Rom_10:3

When you obey the doctrine of Christ. Act_2:43

18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.

They had lost the enjoyment of their salvation. They thought bondage to a legal system made them better Christians.

ARE YOU GOING TO CHURCH MORE, AND ENJOYING IT LESS?

Verse 19

19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,

Children = term of endearment, love, affection

Not - childish, immature

Verse 20

20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.

Paul has three wishes:

1. To be present with them

2. To change the tone of voice used here

3. To remove doubt about their stand.

NOTE: Parents never outgrow their children. When they are little, they are a handful. When they are grown, they are a heartful. When children are little, you step on their toes. When grown, they step on your heart.

Verses 21-31

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?

Notice Abraham's age:

75 - Promise was made

85 - Still waiting

86 - Hagar bears Ishmael

99 - Promise reaffirmed

100 - Isaac is born

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,

ALLEGORY - "Figurative application of real facts, a continued metaphor carried out in a great variety of particulars." Hermeneutics , Dungan, page 259

Abraham had two sons:

Ishmael Isaac

Bond woman Freewoman

Flesh Promise

Mt. Siani Jerusalem

Hagar Mother of us all

Born of flesh Born of Spirit

Cast out Remained

Not inherit Inherit

Bondage Free

25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children-

The Persecutor was persecuted.

30 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."

The law cannot give life and fruitfulness; legalism is barren. Legalism is a major problem in the church today. Legalism does not suggest the setting of spiritual standards is wrong. It means worshipping standards and thinking we are spiritual because we obey them. A person can refrain from smoking or drinking and still not be spiritual. We must not judge others by these standards.