GALATIANS 4:1-5 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, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
NSB* - Drawing upon the illustration of the "tutor" and "heirs" in 3:24-29, Paul develops the idea of what it means to be an adopted son of God. In ancient society, a child had to wait until the proper time before he could inherit what was his. Paul uses this to explain why God delayed Christ's coming, leaving people with His law as a guide (3:23-25).
Heirs; See this study under heirs.
Child; There are several Greek words for "child" the one used here is lit., "not-speaking" (from ne, a negative, and epos, a word is rendered "childish". The Greek word is νήπιος nepios. Vine's (def 7), Strong's G3516.
Differ; to bear through, i.e. (literally) transport; usually to bear apart, i.e. (objectively) to toss about (figuratively, report); subjectively, to "differ", or (by implication) surpass. Thayer's expands - 1) to bear or carry through any place 2) to carry different ways 2a) to carry in different directions, to different places 2a1) of people who are carried hither and thither in a ship, driven to and fro 2b) to differ, to test, prove, the good things that differ, 2b1) to distinguish between good and evil, lawful and unlawful, to approve of things that excel, to differ from one 2b2) to excel, surpass one 2c) impersonally, it makes a difference, it matters, is of importance. The Greek word used here is διαφέρω diapherō.
Strong's G1308.
Slave; The King James version uses the word "servant" here instead of "slave". The Greek word is an adjective, signifying in bondage," Romans 6:19 (neuter plural, agreeing with mele, "members"), is used as a noun, and as the most common and general word for "servant," frequently indicating subjection without the idea of bondage; it is used metaphorically, figuratively and literally. Strong's defines it as such a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency). The Greek word is δοῦλος doulos. Vine's (def A-1, both a and b could apply here), Strong's G1401.
Definition References - Romans 6:19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
Master; The King James uses the word "lord" here. Properly an adjective, signifying having power" (kuros) or "authority," is used as a noun, variously translated in the NT, "'Lord,' 'master,' 'Master,' 'owner,' 'Sir,' a title of wide significance, occurring in each book of the NT save Titus and the Epistles of John. It is used of an owner, as in Luke 19:33, cp. Matthew 20:8; Acts 16:16; Galatians 4:1; or of one who has the disposal of anything, as the Sabbath, Matthew 12:8;
The Greek word is κύριος kurios. Vine's (def A-1a), Strong's G2962.
Definition References - Luke 19:33 But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?”
Matthew 20:8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’
Acts 16:16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
Matthew 12:8 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Moving to verse 2.
Galatians 4:2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.
Guardians; The King James uses the word "tutors" here. Tudors in this text is a steward, guardian (a) (procurator) a steward, (b) (tutor) a guardian (appointed for an "infant" [under 14 perhaps] by the father or by a magistrate). Strong's denotes - a commissioner, i.e. domestic manager, guardian. The Greek word is ἐπίτροπος epitropos. Strong's G2012.
Stewards; The King James uses the word governors here, but this is not a political statement, the Geek word for governors here means a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preacher (of the Gospel).
Moving to Verse 3.
Galatians 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.
NSB* - We were children in bondage parallels "child" and "slave" in v.1. Some believe that the elements Paul refers to in this verse are "elemental spiritual forces'. As in astrology today the ancients associated spiritual forces with "the elements" such as earth, air, fire, and water. But the context and Paul's use of the word elsewhere (Colossians 2:8, 20) favors and understanding of elements as "elementary principals or regulations" perhaps the Jewish law aspects of it (compare Hebrews 5:12-6:3) This is confirmed in the context, for elements of the world parallels "guardians" and "stewards" in v.2 as well as the role of the law in 3:23-25. These elements are described as "weak and beggarly" in v.9 and are linked to what appears to be Jewish calendar observances in v.10.
Notes References: Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the [oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
Hebrews 6:3 And this we will do if God permits.
Children; This is the word νήπιος. The definition is above under "child".
Bondage; signifies "to make a slave of, to bring into bondage,". In this instance "to be held in bondage,". The Greek word is δουλόω douloo. Vine's (def B-2). Strong's G1402.
Elements; the rudimentary principles of religion, Jewish or Gentile, also described as "the rudiments of the world," Colossians 2:20, and as "weak and beggarly rudiments," Galatians 4:3, Galatians 4:9, RV, constituting a yoke of bondage; The Greek word is στοιχεῖον stoicheion. Vine's (def c), Strong's G4747.
Definition References; Galatians 4:9 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?
Colossians 2:20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—
World: primarily order, arrangement, ornament, adornment" the "present condition of human affairs," in alienation from and opposition to God. The Greek word is κόσμος kosmos. Vine's (def 1e), Strong's G2889
Moving to verse 4.
Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
NSB* - The fullness of the time is "the perfect time" in history, the "time appointed by God the Father (v.2) for His Son to be born and later to die for the sins of the world. Born of a woman speaks of Christ's humanity and perhaps alludes to His role as the ultimate "seed" of the woman (see 3:16, Genesis 3:15). Born under the law means Christ was subject to the Jewish law (see Matthew 5:17-19), further establishing His identification with all people who are subject to the law.
Fullness; repletion or completion, i.e. (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, multitude), or (objectively) what is filled (as container, performance, period). The Greek word is πλήρωμα plērōma. Strong's G4138.
Notes References: Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Moving to verse 5.
Galatians 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
NSB* - Redeem meaning "to buy from the slave market", is a term used only by Paul in the New Testament (see 3:13) Ephesians 5:16, Colossians 4:5) The verb describes Christ's supreme final payment for the sins of humanity (see Romans 3:23-25). This payment, his death on the cross, frees those who believe on Him from the curse of the law and slavery to sin. This decisive payment and resulting freedom clears the way for Christians to become God's sons. Although there is only one natural Son in God's family. Jesus Christ (v. 4, 6) God graciously adopted all believers as His sons. We are no longer slaves to sin, nor children under guardianship of the law.
Redeem; a strengthened form of agorazo, to buy" (See BUY, No. 1), denotes "to buy out" (ex for ek), especially of purchasing a slave with a view to his freedom. It is used metaphorically in Galatians 3:13; Galatians 4:5, of the deliverance by Christ of Christian Jews from the Law and its curse; Vine's (def A-1a), Strong's G1805.
Notes References: Matthew 5:17-19 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
Takeaway: In Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin. I think this is a big concept because I don't think we often think about sin that way. If we can't stop doing something we are a slave to it. Jesus frees us from those bonds and redeems us adopting us into His heavenly family. Turning to Christ would have the idea of an exchange, our old life of sin for a new life as a servant of Christ.
*NSB = Nelson Study Bible.
Comments