Sons and Heirs
A child who inherits an estate might get...
A child who inherits an estate might get a large fortune. However, before reaching adulthood, the child must follow the rules of guardians and trustees until the time the father decides. In the same way, before Jesus came, God's people were under the guidance of the law of Moses (see 3:23–24).
Paul argues that the purpose of the law...
Paul argues that the purpose of the law of Moses for God's children was fulfilled when Jesus came, so we are no longer bound by it.
1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.
3So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles† of the world.
God chose the perfect time in history for...
God chose the perfect time in history for Jesus to come (see Luke 4:18–19; Ephesians 4:8–10).
Jesus was fully human, born of a woman, and required to follow the law of Moses. Jesus fulfilled the law (see Matthew 3:13–15; 5:17) so that God's children now have freedom and are no longer enslaved by it.
to redeem those: By fulfilling the law and taking on its curse, Jesus freed us from its demands (Galatians 3:13; see also Romans 3:24; Colossians 1:13–14).
that we might receive our adoption as sons: See also Romans 8:15–17.
God chose the perfect time in history for Jesus to come (see Luke 4:18–19; Ephesians 4:8–10).
Jesus was fully human, born of a woman, and required to follow the law of Moses. Jesus fulfilled the law (see Matthew 3:13–15; 5:17) so that God's children now have freedom and are no longer enslaved by it.
to redeem those: By fulfilling the law and taking on its curse, Jesus freed us from its demands (Galatians 3:13; see also Romans 3:24; Colossians 1:13–14).
that we might receive our adoption as sons: See also Romans 8:15–17.
4But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
Paul reminds the Galatians of their past pagan...
Paul reminds the Galatians of their past pagan beliefs. He argues that following circumcision and the law is like returning to the same kind of slavery they experienced before they knew God.
8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
Circumcision was just one way the Galatians tried...
Circumcision was just one way the Galatians tried to follow the law of Moses. They also started celebrating Jewish festivals. They believed this would make them more acceptable to God. To Paul, this showed they misunderstood or rejected the good news of God's grace through Jesus Christ.
10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain.
After explaining what the Bible teaches, Paul takes...
After explaining what the Bible teaches, Paul takes a more personal approach. He reminds the Galatians of their close relationship with him.
12I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.
because of an illness: Paul might have had...
because of an illness: Paul might have had a long-term health issue, but we do not know what it was (see 2 Corinthians 12:7). Paul's condition was serious and seemed to cause problems or even upset the new church in Galatia. People often saw physical problems as a sign of God's judgment (see John 9:1–2; Acts 28:4). The Galatians looked beyond Paul's physical state and accepted him as God's messenger (literally angel; Greek angelos).
as if I were Christ Jesus Himself: See Luke 10:16.
because of an illness: Paul might have had a long-term health issue, but we do not know what it was (see 2 Corinthians 12:7). Paul's condition was serious and seemed to cause problems or even upset the new church in Galatia. People often saw physical problems as a sign of God's judgment (see John 9:1–2; Acts 28:4). The Galatians looked beyond Paul's physical state and accepted him as God's messenger (literally angel; Greek angelos).
as if I were Christ Jesus Himself: See Luke 10:16.
13You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself. 15What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. 18Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you.
19My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.
Hagar and Sarah
Paul now returns to using Scripture to support...
Paul now returns to using Scripture to support his argument. He tells the story of two of Abraham's wives, Hagar and Sarah, and their children. He uses this story to show the difference between two types of people: those who are like slaves because they try to follow all the laws, and those who are free because they belong to Christ.
Paul uses a special way of explaining Bible stories (called allegory) that Jewish teachers used in those days (see study note on 4:24). Paul was trained as a rabbi (see Acts 22:3) and could effectively debate the Judaizers using their own methods.
Paul now returns to using Scripture to support his argument. He tells the story of two of Abraham's wives, Hagar and Sarah, and their children. He uses this story to show the difference between two types of people: those who are like slaves because they try to follow all the laws, and those who are free because they belong to Christ.
Paul uses a special way of explaining Bible stories (called allegory) that Jewish teachers used in those days (see study note on 4:24). Paul was trained as a rabbi (see Acts 22:3) and could effectively debate the Judaizers using their own methods.
21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says?
Ishmael was the son of the slave woman,...
Ishmael was the son of the slave woman, Hagar. She was Sarah's servant (see Genesis 16:15). Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham, trying to get the heir God promised through human efforts (see Genesis 16:1–4). Isaac, Sarah's son, was born to the free woman (see Genesis 21:2–3). God did something miraculous to help Sarah have this baby. This fulfilled God's promise (see Genesis 17:15–21).
22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.† 23His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.
Paul connects Abraham's effort to fulfill God's promises...
Paul connects Abraham's effort to fulfill God's promises with the attempts in Galatia and other places to achieve salvation by following the law (4:23). Hagar, as a slave woman, represents Israel's bondage under the law. This contrasts with the freedom of those who have faith in Jesus Christ (4:26–27).
24These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar. 25Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27For it is written:
“Rejoice, O barren woman,who bears no children;break forth and cry aloud,you who have never travailed;because more are the children of the desolate womanthan of her who has a husband.”†
Paul uses the story of Hagar and Sarah...
Paul uses the story of Hagar and Sarah in 4:21–27 to explain the situation in Galatia. Isaac represents those born through God's promise (see 3:8) by the Spirit's power (3:2–5; see also Ephesians 1:13–14). These people trust in God for salvation through Christ by faith. Ishmael represents those who think following the law of Moses will make them acceptable to God (Galatians 3:10–11). This idea would have surprised the Judaizers, who believed they were Abraham's true children because they followed the law of Moses.
28Now you,† brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now.
Sarah's demand about Ishmael in Genesis 21:10 becomes...
Sarah's demand about Ishmael in Genesis 21:10 becomes a guideline (see Genesis 21:12) for dealing with the current son of the slave woman (anyone who refuses to abandon slavery to the law). God does not let those who try to be righteous through their own efforts share in his inheritance (see Romans 9:30–33). Those who come to God through Jesus Christ alone, by faith and not by following the law, are children of the free woman who inherit God's blessings.
30But what does the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”† 31Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.