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Galatians
Chapter Four
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Dialectics of the Truth of the Gospel
I. Since we have received the adoption as sons
we
should not be controlled by the law any more:
A. We
were under the law in the past
just as the children who were controlled:
1. As long as he is a child
he does not differ at
all from a slave (v.1).
2. Before the appointed time
he was controlled by
the law (v.2-3).
B.
Today we who were under the law have been redeemed and received the adoption as
sons:
1. God sent forth His son to redeem men who were
under the law (v.4-5).
2. Today we have the Spirit of the Son in us and we
are heirs of God (v.6-7).
C.
Since we have known God
we should not be the slaves of the law as much as
before:
1. We were slaves in the past because we did not
know God (v.8).
2. Since we have known God now
we should not be
slaves again (v.9).
3. Observing the ceremonies and regulations are
being in the bondage of the law (v.10-11).
II. We should remember the condition of our being
saved and it is the clear proof that Christ lives in us:
A.
Becoming like Paul who did not change all the time (v.12a).
B.
When the Galatian believers were saved
they treated Paul as Christ Jesus
(v.12b-15).
C.
Today the Galatian believers even treated Paula as the enemy:
1. Because Paul told them the truth (v.16)
2. They were cheated by the exclusion of the
Judaizers (v.17-18)
D.
Paul hoped to labor in birth again for them until Christ is formed in them
(v.19-20).
III. We should be children born through promise
instead of the children born according to the flesh:
A.
Abraham had two sons:
1. It is written in the law that Abraham had two
sons (v.21-22a).
2. He who was of the bondwoman was born according
to the flesh
and he of the freewoman through promise (v.22b-23).
B. Two
women typified two covenants:
1. Hagar typified the covenant of the law from
2. Sara typified the covenant of promise------who
was barren and later gave birth through promise (v.26-27).
C.
Being the “right” sons:
1. Believers in the New Testament are children of
promise (v.28).
2. The Judaizers who were born according to the
flesh then persecuted those who were born according to the Spirit (v.29).
3. The bondwoman (the covenant of the law) and her
son shall be cast out (v.30).
4. We are children of the free (the covenant of
promise) (v.31).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Gal. 4:1 “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
”
YLT: “And I say
so long
time as the heir is a babe
he differeth nothing from a servant -- being lord
of all
”
Meaning of Words: “child”: baby
an
infant.
The
Background: according to the law
and custom at that time
though a child has the position of the son
he still
needs the care and supervision of the guardians and he cannot walk freely
just
as a slave. He will legally inherit the possession of his father until he has
grown up.
Literal Meaning: to a child
legally
he is the heir who shall inherit all the possessions of is father. However
in
the reality his position in the house does not differ from that of the
servants. Time is an essential factor to have the right of succession. Here
Paul used the custom of the world to the possessions to explain when believers
could inherit the possessions promised by God.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Though we have already had the life of God
if
we do not grow up into maturity
we cannot fully enjoy the abundance of God’s
life (See John. 10:10).
2) Satan utilizes various kinds of things
including the world
money
position
the religious ceremonies and etc
to
enslave the children of God. The only way by which we could be exempted from
its enslavement is to abide in the Lord and grow up in life rapidly.
Gal. 4:2 “but is under guardians
and stewards until the time appointed by the father.”
YLT: “but is under tutors
and stewards till the time appointed of the father
”
Meaning of Words: “guardians” refer to
the custodians who generally take care of the children or orphans; “stewards”
refer to those who mange the affairs in the family
accounts and possessions;
“appointed”: set prior.
The
Background: according to the
custom at that time
the children do not have the freedom of their own and
possessions until a certain age. They are kept by “the guardians and stewards”
and their possessions are managed by them.
Literal Meaning: in this verse the
helpless state of childhood is used to state that before the coming of the
predestinated dispensation of grace (“the time appointed by the father”)
His elect were guarded by the law temporarily:
for one thing they were fully looked after by the law (“under guardians”) and for another they cannot enjoy the
promised possessions (“under stewards”).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord works according to the appointed time
and our time is always ready (John. 7:6). When working
we should learn to wait
for the Lord’s time.
2) Thank God because He deals with us as with sons.
And therefore we should be chastened by the hand of the Father of spirits
that
we might be partakers of his holiness (Heb. 12:7-10).
Gal. 4:3 “Even so we
when we were
children
were in bondage under the elements of the world.”
YLT: “so also we
when we
were babes
under the elements of the world were in servitude
”
Meaning
of Words: “be in bondage”: in
servitude
make others obey; “elements”: characters
rudiments
principle
rules.
Literal Meaning: “when we were children” It refers to the time before we knew the
truth of justification (Gal. 3:23) and the Son of God (Gal. 4:4). At that time
we
just like the world
are all controlled by the principles of the world
the
worldly superficial religious reasons and philosophical theories.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When we are spiritually naïve
we understand as
children (1Cor. 13:11). We are easy to be deceived by men and be carried about
with every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14).
2) Believers should depart from the stage of the spiritual
babies and become full-grown men to discern both good and evil (Heb. 5:12-14).
3) The best way for the growth of the spiritual
life is to desire the sincere milk of the word (1Pet. 2:2).
Gal. 4:4 “But when the fullness of
the time had come
God sent forth His Son
born of a woman
born under the law
”
YLT: “and when the
fulness of time did come
God sent forth His Son
come of a woman
come under
law
”
Meaning of Words: “the fullness of the
time”: the time fills up; “sent forth”: send away forth
dispatch.
Literal Meaning: “But when the fullness of
the time had come” It refers to the
time when God ordained to send Christ to be a man.
“Born of a woman” It refers to the incarnation that Christ became a
man (John. 1:14; Matt. 1:25; Luke. 2:6-7).
“Born under the law” It means that He became a Jew and was
controlled by the law (Luke. 2:21-24).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) God takes actions at His time (John. 2:4; 7:8).
We must wait for God and look upon Him in everything and when the time has
come
we shall experience His salvation of great power subjectively.
2) The Lord Jesus is already with God before His
birth (John. 1:1). His coming makes men enjoy “God with us” (Matt. 1:23).
3) The Lord Jesus is both the true God (“His Son”)
and a true man (“born
of a woman”). He has both the
divinity and the humanity.
4) The Lord not only bears our sins but also takes
the yoke of the law for us.
Gal. 4:5 “to redeem those who were
under the law
that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
YLT: “that those under
law he may redeem
that the adoption of sons we may receive;”
Meaning of Words: “the adoption as
sons”: place the son in the position of a son.
Literal Meaning: only the salvation
of the Lord Jesus could set men free from the bondage of the law and make them
receive the freedom of sons. Here the main idea is that it is God’s action to
adopt sons.
Enlightenment in the Word: we believers are redeemed from the law. However
we
are not those who are “without” the law but those who “surpass” the law.
Gal. 4:6 “And because you are sons
God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts
crying out
‘Abba
Father!’”
YLT: “and because ye are
sons
God did send forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts
crying
`Abba
Father!'”
Meaning of Words: “cry out”: cry
loudly publicly; “Abba” is the intimate appellation in Aramaic (
Literal Meaning: “And because you are sons” Since the Galatian believers are
Christians
they are sons of God.
This verse shows that the position that
believers have received from the Lord is not only an objective fact but also a
subjective experience. The indwelling Holy Spirit makes us enjoy the close
relation of life with God.
Gal. 4:7 “Therefore you are no
longer a slave but a son
and if a son
then an heir of God through Christ.”
YLT: “so that thou art no
more a servant
but a son
and if a son
also an heir of God through Christ.”
Meaning of Words: “therefore”:
consequently
so that; “through”: by
because of
by reason of; “son”: the
grown-up son; “heir”: the one who inherits the possessions
inheritor.
Literal Meaning: “therefore” It shows
that this verse is the conclusion of the previous several verses.
The singular word “you” in this verse (“you”
are plural in the previous verses) shows more personal concern.
“No longer” It shows the conclusion of God’s works: believers
are no longer slaves but sons.
“An heir of God through Christ” Men become heirs according to God’s
promise instead of themselves (Gal. 3:29). All that men can do is to believe in
God (Gal. 3:9).
Gal. 4:8 “But then
indeed
when
you did not know God
you served those which by nature are not gods.”
YLT: “But then
indeed
not having known God
ye were in servitude to those not by nature gods
”
Meaning of Words: “know”: see
it is
not merely the rational cognition and it also includes the relation based on
experiences; “by nature”: nature.
Literal Meaning: “which are not gods” refer to the false gods and idols (1Cor.
8:4).
The word “but” draws forth the different
contrast. Though the Gentiles are different from the Jews who are slaves under
the law
they are slaves under the vanity and ignorance of idols.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Not knowing God is the greatest loss and
ignorance and it is also the greatest danger of life.
2) If we do not know God
we will treat which are
not gods as God.
Gal. 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?”
YLT: “and now
having
known God -- and rather being known by God -- how turn ye again unto the weak
and poor elements to which anew ye desire to be in servitude?”
Meaning of Words: “know”: know well
approve
agree (the two “know”s in this verse are the same in the original
however
it is different from “know” in v.8); “turn to”: turn about
revert;
“weak”: without strength
sick; “beggarly”: poor; “desire”: yearn for
intend.
Literal Meaning: the first two
sentences in this verse are the important revelation in the New Testament.
“Or rather are known by God” The Galatian believers’ knowing God is the
result of their being known by God. When they did not know God
God saved them.
Paul called the law as “the weak and beggarly
elements” because in the
positive aspect the law can neither make men overcome sin----“weak” nor set men
from sin----“beggarly” and in leading men to know God
the law is in the
primary stage----“elements”. However
in the negative aspect the law could
enslave men.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) It is not enough that we know God and we need to
be known by God even more.
2) Only when what we do accords with the will of
God shall we be reckoned to be truly known by God.
3) Today believers always forsake the freedom in
the Spirit and would rather turn to being in the bondage of the religious
ceremonies and regulations.
Gal. 4:10 “You observe days and
months and seasons and years.”
YLT: “days ye observe
and months
and times
and years!”
Meaning of Words: “observe”: inspect
alongside.
The
Background: according to the
custom of the Jews
they observe “days” (e.g. the Sabbath)
“months” (e.g. the
new moon)
“seasons” (e.g. the Passover) and “years” (e.g. the sabbath). Since
the Galatian believers were influenced by Judaizers
they probably turned to
observing such Jewish custom.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Enjoying God’s grace does not lie in observing
the external ceremonies but the inner spiritual reality.
2) Today believers who pay attention to Good
Friday
Easter
Ascension Day
Christmas and other church festivals should take
care and not recommit the same error of Judaism.
Gal. 4:11 “I am afraid for you
lest
I have labored for you in vain.”
YLT: “I am afraid of you
lest in vain I did labour toward you.”
Meaning of Words: “in vain”: without
effect
fruitless; “labor”: work hard.
Literal Meaning: Paul was afraid that
the Galatian believers turned to the worldly elements and put themselves under
the law. If so
what he had labored in
Gal. 4:12 “Brethren
I urge you to
become like me
for I became like you. You have not injured me at all.”
YLT: “Become as I [am] --
because I also [am] as ye brethren
I beseech you; to me ye did no hurt
”
Meaning of Words: “urge”: beseech;
“injure”: treat men wrongfully or unjust.
Literal Meaning: “you to become like me” Paul besought the Galatians to imitate him
who gave up the way of being saved by the works of the law (Gal. 2:19-20).
“For I became like you” It indicates that Paul disregarded his
Jewish status for them and learned to be a Gentile (1Cor. 9:21).
“You
have not injured me at all” It could be seen
in detail from v.13 to v.15. We could know that the Galatian believers treated
Paul hospitably in the past and did not hurt him at all.
Gal. 4:13 “You know that because of
physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.”
YLT: “and ye have known
that through infirmity of the flesh I did proclaim good news to you at the
first
”
The
Background: it is not stated in
the Bible what disease Paul had. Some people surmised that it might be the
sickness of eyes (Gal. 4:15; 6:11)
the epilepsy or the injury that was left
because of persecution. Though there is not the final conclusion
it is certain
that it was the deep-rooted illness that was intolerable in the flesh (2Cor.
12:7).
Literal Meaning: “at the first” shows
that before Paul wrote this epistle
he has gone to
When a sick messenger of the gospel came
to them
he needed their help in many things certainly and he might become
their burden. It is a kind of trial to their love.
Gal. 4:14 “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.”
YLT: “and my trial that
[is] in my flesh ye did not despise nor reject
but as a messenger of God ye
did receive me -- as Christ Jesus;”
Meaning of Words: “despise”: reject
scornfully; “reject”: spite out
spurn
repel.
The
Background: at that time men
regarded sickness as the punishment from the false gods (Acts. 28:4). However
the Galatians did not reject Paul and they even considered Paul and Barnabas
Mercurius and Jupiter at first (Acts. 14:12) and later knew that they were
God’s messengers.
Literal Meaning: Paul’s sickness is a
trial. On one hand it shows whether they love men and on the other it manifests
whether they know the Lord. When a servant of the Lord is sick
the common
believers might think that he is rejected by God.
“But you received me as an angel of God
even as Christ Jesus” This sentence
means that: 1) they regarded the reception of Paul as the reception of the Lord
in order to love the Lord; 2) they received Paul with the attitude of receiving
the Lord Himself and respecting God’s messenger.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Today God always uses brothers who are
physically or spiritually weak to test how we give up ourselves for the Lord
and our real state of love.
2) The true love does not have respect to persons
but loves men with the motive for loving the Lord.
3) The bad state of the Lord’s servants cannot be
our excuse for coveting the world.
Gal. 4:15 “What then was the
blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that
if possible
you would have
plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.”
YLT: “what then was your
happiness? for I testify to you
that if possible
your eyes having plucked
out
ye would have given to me;”
Meaning of Words: “blessing”: happiness
wish
blessedness
prosperity.
The
Background: “have plucked out your own
eyes and given them to me” It was a common
saying at that time. It was used to show love: one was even willing to give his
most precious and irreplaceable thing to others.
Literal Meaning: on that day the
Galatian believers received the gospel that Paul preached earnestly and
regarded it their satisfaction and blessing. On account of the Lord
they
respected Paul who preached the gospel to them.
“Have plucked out your own eyes and
given them to me” Some people held
that the words showed that Paul had the eye trouble.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) It is the blessed state to love men (especially
in dealing with the Lord’s servants).
2) The love of the flesh is always not lasting. And
one’s love today may turn into hate tomorrow.
Gal. 4:16 “Have I therefore become
your enemy because I tell you the truth?”
YLT: “so that your enemy
have I become
being true to you?”
Meaning of Words: “tell you the
truth”: speak the truth and do not lie.
Literal Meaning: “the truth” has two
meanings: 1) the truth of the gospel; 2) the true words of pointing out the
real situation. Paul thought that it was the reason why they changed their
attitude towards him and were hostile to him today.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If believers treat the one who tells them the
truth as their “enemy”
it proves that they do not have the heart of desiring
the truth in them and they only mind the flesh.
2) A faithful servant of the Lord won’t be silent
in telling the truth. He would rather suffer others’ persecution himself than
let others distort the truth. He would rather sacrifice himself than sacrifice
the truth.
Gal. 4:17 “They zealously court you
but for no good; yes
they want to exclude you
that you may be zealous for
them.”
YLT: “they are zealous
for you -- [yet] not well
but they wish to shut us out
that for them ye may
be zealous;”
Meaning of Words: “zealously”: have
warmth of feeling
be jealous over; “exclude”: shut out
keep out.
Literal Meaning: “they” refer to
Judaizers who preached the wrong doctrines.
“Exclude” means to separate the
Galatians from Paul and all believers.
Judaizers hid their snares in love and
therefore they harbored malicious intentions.
Enlightenment in the Word: Christians should take heed and beware of men’s
praise and the false love. We should learn to discern whether others love with
the motive of loving the Lord.
Gal. 4:18 “But it is good to be
zealous in a good thing always
and not only when I am present with you.”
YLT: “and [it is] good to
be zealously regarded
in what is good
at all times
and not only in my being
present with you;”
Literal Meaning: zealousness out of
good motive is good itself
however
it should last. One should be zealous
before men and be still behind men.
Gal. 4:19 “My little children
for
whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you
”
YLT: “my little children
of whom again I travail in birth
till Christ may be formed in you
”
Meaning of Words: “labor in birth”:
travail in birth; “form”: the inner true change.
Literal Meaning: “my little children”
is an intimate appellation. Paul likened himself a mother who labored in birth.
The word “again” shows that a servant of
the Lord suffers two kinds of labors:
1) He labors in leading men to turn to
and believe in the Lord Jesus regardless of others’ indifference and
opposition.
2) He labors in cultivating men to grow
up in life until “Christ is formed in them” regardless of others’ ignorance and
naivety
i.e. letting Christ form and organize in us so that we shall be
informed into the image of Christ.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Christ in many Christians seems to be likened
the egg which has not been fully hatched: there is the life of chicken
however
the form of chicken cannot be seen in it
2) When the cross works in a believer and makes his
old man decrease and the new man (Christ) be put on in his behavior
he is more
and more like the Lord. It is the way that the life of Christ is formed in us.
Gal. 4:20 “I would like to be
present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.”
YLT: “and I was wishing
to be present with you now
and to change my voice
because I am in doubt about
you.”
Meaning of Words: “tone”: voice
sound; “have doubts”: have no way out
be at a loss.
Literal Meaning: the moment Paul
remembered them
he had doubts and he was only too anxious to come there and
lead them to the right way himself
so that he would no longer use such tone of
rebuke.
Enlightenment in the Word: the true rebuke of love is forced to be done
instead of the random severe reproach.
Gal. 4:21 “Tell me
you who desire
to be under the law
do you not hear the law?”
YLT: “Tell me
ye who are
willing to be under law
the law do ye not hear?”
Literal Meaning: “desire” indicates
that the Galatian believers seemed to have decided to go towards that
direction.
This verse means that those who desire
to be under the law actually do not tally with the examples that are written in
the law.
The first “the law” in this verse refers
to the commandments that were declared by Moses and the second refers to the
Pentateuch in which these commandments were recorded. Judaizers respected the
law of the commandments and paid no attention to receive the history and
covenant of the commandments. They respected the law of commandments and could
not see the broad thoughtfulness of the law----God’s way to show mercy to His
people.
Gal. 4:22 “For it is written that
Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman
the other by a freewoman.”
YLT: “for it hath been
written
that Abraham had two sons
one by the maid-servant
and one by the
free-woman
”
The
Background: The case that
Abraham had sons was recorded in Gen. 16
17. The Jews regarded Pentateuch as
the law and therefore it is “it is written”.
“A bondwoman” is the maidservant and it
refers to the Egyptian maidservant Hagar and her son was named Ishmael.
“A freewoman” refers to Sara the wife of
Abraham and her son was named Isaac.
Literal Meaning: in this verse the
different positions of the two mothers are used to state that the positions of
their sons are different: one gives birth to bondage and the other free.
Spiritual Meaning: “a bondwoman”
typifies the covenant of the law; “the one by a bondwoman” typifies men under the law.
“A freewoman” typifies the covenant of
promise; “the
other by a freewoman” typifies believers
of the New Testament.
Paul used this example to give the
comparison of “being in bondage under the law” and “being free under grace”.
Gal. 4:23 “But he who was of the
bondwoman was born according to the flesh
and he of the freewoman through
promise
”
YLT: “but he who [is] of
the maid-servant
according to flesh hath been
and he who [is] of the
free-woman
through the promise;”
Literal Meaning: “was born according to the
flesh” It indicates that
a man was born according to the physiologically natural phenomenon.
“Through promise” It indicates that a man was born by the wonderful
works that are manifested by God.
In this verse the different states of
two mothers’ childbirth are used to state that the nature of their sons is
different (Gen. 17:15-21; 18:9-15; 21:1-8). Those who are under the law observe
the law according to the flesh
however
believers of the New Testament enjoy
grace through God’s promise.
Gal. 4:24 “which things are
symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from
YLT: “which things are
allegorized
for these are the two covenants: one
indeed
from mount Sinai
to
servitude bringing forth
which is Hagar;”
Meaning of Words: “symbolic”: be an
allegory.
Literal Meaning: “the two covenants” refer to the covenant of the law and the
covenant of promise (grace).
“From Mount Sinai” The law was made at the foot of
“Hagar” represents the covenant of the
law.
“Gives birth to bondage” All those who are of the works of the law
are indeed slaves of the law willingly and lose the freedom.
Gal. 4:25 “for this Hagar is Mount
Sinai in Arabia
and corresponds to
YLT: “for this Hagar is
mount Sinai in Arabia
and doth correspond to the
Meaning of Words: “corresponds to”:
file together
equal.
Spiritual Meaning: “
“
“Her children” refer to the Judaists and
Christians who believed in Judaism at that time.
“And is in bondage with…” It means that
Judaists and Judaizers are all in bondage of the law.
Enlightenment in the Word: today many nominal churches of Christ and
Christians only pay attention to appearance and forms or want to observe ceremonies
and regulations according to the flesh. They also correspond to Hagar and are
in bondage.
Gal. 4:26 “but the
YLT: “and the
Spiritual Meaning: “the
Gal. 4:27 “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.’”
YLT: “for it hath been
written
`Rejoice
O barren
who art not bearing; break forth and cry
thou who
art not travailing
because many [are] the children of the desolate -- more
than of her having the husband.'”
Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted
from Is. 54:1 and it predicted that a kind of son was born when the mother was
barren.
“O barren
You who do not bear!” refer to the women who have the
physiological defects and cannot bear.
“You who are not in labor…the desolate”
It indicates that even if the women who cannot bear have husbands
they are
desolate and poor as if they did not have husbands.
Spiritual Meaning: this verse predicts
that under the Old Testament
“the
Gal. 4:28 “Now we
brethren
as
Isaac was
are children of promise.”
YLT: “And we
brethren
as Isaac
are children of promise
”
Literal Meaning: as Isaac was born
through promise
we Christians become God’s children fully according to God’s
promise through faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26) instead of the works of the
flesh.
Gal. 4:29 “But
as he who was born
according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the
Spirit
even so it is now.”
YLT: “but as then he who was
born according to the flesh did persecute him according to the spirit
so also
now;”
Meaning of Words: “persecute”: press
forward
follow after.
The
Background: Ishmael once mocked
Isaac. From the words of Sara to Abraham at that time
probably Ishmael’s
attitude to Isaac was very bad and he even attempted to fight for the right of
succession (Gen. 21:9-10).
Literal Meaning: Isaac was despised
by Ishmael and in like manner
now the promised children are persecuted by
those who are born according to the flesh.
Enlightenment in the Word: the nominal Christians always sneer at and
persecute the true Christians.
Gal. 4:30 “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.’”
YLT: “but what saith the
Writing? `Cast forth the maid-servant and her son
for the son of the
maid-servant may not be heir with the son of the free-woman;'”
The
Background: the words in this
verse were said by Sara to Abraham (Gen. 21:10) and God fully agreed on the
words (Gen. 21:12).
Enlightenment in the Word: all those who are of the works of the law cannot
partake in the
Gal. 4:31 “So then
brethren
we are
not children of the bondwoman but of the free.”
YLT: “then
brethren
we
are not a maid-servant's children
but the free-woman's.”
Literal
Meaning: Christians are born
to be free because Christ is the Lord who gives men freedom (Gal. 5:1).
Christians are not slaves under the law but children born through promise who
live in the freedom of Christ by faith.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
Children and Sons
I. Children refer to
those who are under the law:
A. they do not differ at all from
slaves
though they are masters of all (v.1).
B. they are under guardians and stewards
until the time appointed by God (v.2).
C. they are in bondage under the
elements of the world (v.3).
II. Sons refer to
those who are redeemed:
A. Christ Jesus was born under the law
to redeem us who were under the law (v.4-5).
B. We have the Spirit of His Son in our
hearts and we cry out
"Abba
Father!" (v.6).
C. We are heirs of God through Christ
(v.7).
God’s Actions When the
Fullness of the Time Had Come
II. God has sent
forth the Spirit of His Son into the hearts of those who are redeemed (v.5-6).
III. God makes those
who have been redeemed heirs (v.7).
The Blessings of Believers
I. We who are under
the law are redeemed (v.5).
II. We receive the
adoption as sons (v.5).
III. We have the
Spirit of His Son in our hearts (v.6).
IV. We could call
God “Abba
Father” (v.6).
V. We are no longer
slaves but sons (v.7).
VI. We are heirs of
God through Christ (v.7).
Slaves
II. The slaves of
idols (v.8).
III. The slaves of
the elements of the world (v.3
9).
The Differences between Those who did not
Know God and Those who Knew God
II. Now you have
known God
or rather are known by God
you could no longer be slaves (v.9).
The Features of the True Apostles
II. He spoke bluntly
and told men the truth (v.16).
III. He was willing
to labor in birth again for others until Christ is formed in men (v.19).
Christians and Judaizers
I. Christians are
born through promise and Judaizers are born according to the flesh (v.23).
II. Christians are
free and Judaizers are in bondage (v.24-26).
III. Christians are
of heaven ad Judaizers are of the earth (v.25-26).
IV. The former is
more than the latter (v.27).
V. Christians could
inherit the possessions and Judaizers cannot inherit the possessions (v.30).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren