“Galatians 4”

Thursday, May 04, 2017

In this chapter, Paul uses three word pictures to show the difference between the old law and the gospel.

In verses 1‑7, he compares it to childhood and adulthood. Childhood, for both slave and heir, is a time of being under “guardians and stewards.” Paul refers to the Old Law as a time when the Jews were “in bondage under the elements of the world.”

But, in “the fullness of the time,” according to God’s divine timetable, He sent His Son into the world. Jesus was “born of a woman,” a reference to the virgin birth of the Messiah, with no earthly father. Christ came into the world to redeem those who were under the Law of Moses from that bondage. He says, in verse 7, “therefore you are no longer a slave but a son,” an heir of God through Christ. The old has been replaced by the new.

In verses 8‑20, he contrasts bondage to freedom.

There are several Old Testament practices that Paul was concerned that the Galatians might be involved in, even after the Law of Moses had been replaced. He specifies his concern about their religious observance of “days and months and season and years.” This is speaking of the various feast days, sacrificial days, including the weekly Sabbath. It also reminds us that under the New Testament system, the only special day is the first day of every week. There are no annual, quarterly, monthly or other special days in Christianity. There is no New Testament teaching to observe popular “Christian” holidays, such as Easter or Christmas, including lent and other common man-made practices. This is the type of practice that Paul refers to as “bondage.”

Paul reminds them that his work among them was designed to make certain that “Christ is formed in you.” He wanted all disciples to be like their Master (Luke 6:40).

In verses 21‑31, he refers back to the Old Testament story of Hagar, Sarah and their children. Many Bible translations call this comparison an allegory. He reminds us of the relationship between Hagar and her son Ishmael and the God approved family of Sarah and Isaac. Hagar was a bondwoman (household servant) while Sarah was Abraham’s wife. Hagar and Ishmael are compared to the Old Testament (bondage) and Sarah and Isaac are compared to the New Testament (freedom from the Old Law). Paul also uses the familiar language of the flesh (OT) and the spirit (NT).

--Roger Hillis

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