Galatians 4:1-7
1: Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything,
2: but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.
3: So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.
4: But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5: so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6: Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7: Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
Paul had just explained that the Law was like a tutor which led to faith in Christ, and he said that whoever belonged to Christ was Abraham’s descendant and heirs according to the promise. He continued this line of thought saying that an heir is no different from a servant when he’s a child. Even though he will inherit all things from his father, while he’s a child, he is being taught and trained until the appointed time when he’s of age.
In the same way, the Jews who were under the Law, and even the Gentiles though not observing the Law were still under it, were not able to enjoy the benefits of sonship while the Law was in place. Once again, the Law was a tutor—leading to and preparing for faith in Christ. But when the fullness of the time came—when the Father saw it was right—He sent His Son, born under the Law so He might redeem those who were under the Law so they could receive the adoption as sons.
Paul explained that they were no longer slaves, but sons. The appointed time had come. The Jews were no longer under the Law, and the Gentiles did not need to observe the Law, to be tutored by it, before receiving the sonship of God. In other words, the Gentiles didn’t need to become Jewish first before becoming a Christian. They didn’t need to be circumcised in order to receive Christ and enjoy the full privileges of sonship. As we’ve already seen, Jesus was sent to all the nations of the world—Jew and Gentile—and to those who believe, the Father sends the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying—Abba! Father!
2: but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.
3: So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.
4: But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5: so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6: Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7: Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
***
Paul had just explained that the Law was like a tutor which led to faith in Christ, and he said that whoever belonged to Christ was Abraham’s descendant and heirs according to the promise. He continued this line of thought saying that an heir is no different from a servant when he’s a child. Even though he will inherit all things from his father, while he’s a child, he is being taught and trained until the appointed time when he’s of age.
In the same way, the Jews who were under the Law, and even the Gentiles though not observing the Law were still under it, were not able to enjoy the benefits of sonship while the Law was in place. Once again, the Law was a tutor—leading to and preparing for faith in Christ. But when the fullness of the time came—when the Father saw it was right—He sent His Son, born under the Law so He might redeem those who were under the Law so they could receive the adoption as sons.
Paul explained that they were no longer slaves, but sons. The appointed time had come. The Jews were no longer under the Law, and the Gentiles did not need to observe the Law, to be tutored by it, before receiving the sonship of God. In other words, the Gentiles didn’t need to become Jewish first before becoming a Christian. They didn’t need to be circumcised in order to receive Christ and enjoy the full privileges of sonship. As we’ve already seen, Jesus was sent to all the nations of the world—Jew and Gentile—and to those who believe, the Father sends the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying—Abba! Father!
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