Galatians 4 Explained

Galatians 4 is the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle for the churches in Galatia, written between 49 and 58 CE. This chapter contains one of Paul's richest statements in Christology.

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 31 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

Old Testament references

The Sending of the Son (4:1–7)

In this part, Paul uses the illustration that an heir is in a better position than a slave to inherit an estate one day. God sent Jesus as his heir to "redeem those under the law", so "all who are in Christ Jesus might receive adoption."

Verse 3

It is the same for us. We were once like children, slaves to the useless rules of this world.[1]

Verse 4

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,[2]

Verse 5

to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.[3]

Verse 6

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"[4]

Want to Be Enslaved Again? (4:8–11)

This part exposes Paul's fear that the Galatians, who before becoming Christians were enslaved to idols, now after being believers of Christ would want to be enslaved again, by meticulously observing the Jewish calendar rituals.

Paul's Perplexity (4:12–20)

The verses 12–20 display Paul's "passionate concern" for the spiritual condition of the Galatians, whom he addressed as 'friends' or 'brethren' (verse 12) and 'my little children' (verse 19), and his wish to be personally present in their midst.

The Hagar and Sarah Allegory (4:21–5:1)

This part is considered as "Paul's striking final argument" to contrast the children born of 'a slave woman' (Hagar), that is "to be subject to the law", with the children born of 'a free woman' (Sarah) 'through the promise' and 'according to the Spirit'; a contrast between "law" and "grace".[7]

Verse 25

for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—[8]

Verse 27

See also: Mothering Sunday.

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."[9] Citation from [10]

See also

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. 2 Galatians NCV
  2. 2 Galatians NKJV
  3. 2 Galatians NKJV
  4. 2 Galatians NKJV
  5. Bereshit Rabba, fol. 2. 4. & 6. 3. Vajikra Rabba, fol. 156. 4.
  6. John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible, Galatians 4:6.
  7. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 2011, p. 561
  8. 2 Galatians NKJV
  9. 2 Galatians NKJV
  10. Note on Galatians 4:27 in MEV