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Galatians
BC Weekly Digest Monday, September 13 1999 In this issue: Galatians 4:1-7 Galatians 4:1-7 Galatians 4:1-7 Galatians 4:8-11 Galatians 4:8-11 Galatians 4:1-7 Galatians 4:1-7 (ASV) 1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all; 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. 3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments 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 that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Comments by Howard Justice *4:1 "But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all" Paul begins a beautiful explanation regarding the rights and the obligations of a natural-born son versus those of a servant. Paul shows that Jews under the law were no better off than the Gentiles, who were not believed by the Jews to be "heirs of promise." It is apparent that most Jews viewed the Messianic prophecies without any consideration that the Gentile had been included in the plan of God. This "worthier than thou" attitude had permeated the entire Jewish society so much that most felt far above their Gentile neighbors around them. This is demonstrated in Christ's parable regarding the "good Samaritan"(Luke 10:33-37). Paul states clearly in this passage that the Gentile, though a servant in the family of God, was now made an heir to the Father of the house. *4:2 "But is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father" During the previous dispensations, and under Roman influence, both the heir and the servant were equally under the jurisdiction of tutors and governors, men who had been entrusted with their care. Likewise, the Gentile and the Jew were under the authority of God equally and the Law of Moses served as a tutor to those who were to become heirs. This is not to say that the Gentile was subject to the Law but that because he did, by nature, those things contained in the Law (of Moses), he had observed these regulations as a law unto himself(Romans 2:14-16). Of course, this has reference to Patriarchal law. Both the Jew and the Gentile were without any hope of the remission of their sins under their respective laws. Because of this, we see them as "minors" in the household of God. *4:3 "So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world" Here is a further explanation of their responsibilities under their respective laws. They had been "bondservants" and "children" without the rights and liberties that are accorded unto adults. And they had been subjected to the rudiments of the world in that they had been in subjugation to the consequences of sin without the redeeming blood of Christ. *4:4 "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law" "Thanks be to God that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). This matchless gift and the divine sacrifice of Jesus Christ has made all "adults" through the liberty that comes in salvation. This is the liberty that Paul has already mentioned in Galatians 2:4, "the liberty that we have in Christ Jesus." *4:5 "That he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons" Not only are we made free, we are made to be sons in the household of God. This means that we have been made "joint-heirs" with our blessed Savior: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified with Him" (Romans 8:14-17). It was to this end that God gave all mankind the right to become "sons" of God (John 1:12). *4:6 "And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father" You will note that this is similar to Romans 8:15,16. Paul says that we, as former Gentiles, now call God our Father because we have been adopted into the family of God. This means that we wear His name and that we represent His family here on earth. Let us then, as children of God, live our lives before men that they will want to serve Him also. *4:7 "So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God" We are no longer servants who have no claim to the inheritance of Heaven but have become not only "heirs", but also "joint-heirs." This means that we will be entitled to share in the glorious blessings of God for an eternity. Praise God Almighty! Howard Justice ------------------------------ Galatians 4:1-7 Galatians 4:1-7 (ASV) 1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all; 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. 3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments 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 that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Comments by William Booth *4:1 "But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all" As Paul mentions in Galatians 3:19-29, the Law prepared the way for Christ. Although the promise was given to Abraham (Genesis 17:7), that through his seed all the nations would be blessed, the Law was only a tutor (Galatians 3:24) until Christ came. The Jews, down through the ages, were likened unto children, or slaves, and not heirs, who could not receive the full entitlements of a son (or the blessings of the promise), until Christ came -- the fulness of time (Galatians 4:4). *4:2 "But is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father" As a child, who would be an heir, was not allowed to care for himself but was under guardians (supervision directed by the child's father to guide the child until the child was of an age or would reach an appointed time in the child's life that was determined by the child's father), the same was for the Jew to be under the Law until Christ came, a "day appointed of the father." *4:3 "So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world" Here Paul includes non-Jews with the Jews, indicating that we too were like children, and not heirs, until Christ came. Paul is striving to get a point across to the Galatians, how terrible it was to not completely follow Christ. He uses strong language, i.e., "held in bondage" and "rudiments of the world" to indicate how sinful it would be to continue in following the Law, or to go back under the Law. The ceremonial part of keeping the Law was physical, not spiritual. It comprised of fleshly requirements (outward things), such as ceremonial washings and special dress, eating and drinking, the Temple, feasts, etc. Although these are outward (worldly) things, they were ordained by God to be used until that "which is perfect" is come to fulfill the Law, that being Christ! These outward expressions could not save, but Christ could! *4:4,5 "But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons" The seed promised through Abraham would be the salvation of mankind. The Law kept the Jews and us in bondage (as slaves and as children who were not of age to be considered sons) and we were only "children" and not heirs, until Christ. As with the prophets of old who understood the concept "Christ in Spirit," they looked forward to the time when Christ would be revealed; we look to Christ as being revealed. We have been redeemed from the Law "of entanglements" and are now free. Our time has come and we, through Christ, have been "adopted" as sons. We have the same rights as a son, an heir. The Galatians understood the meaning of being adopted. Under Roman laws, an "adopted" son had all the rights and privileges given to a true son. As the scripture records, we have been "adopted" as sons, and are now "heirs" according to the promise given to Abraham, that through his seed, that being Jesus Christ, we have been adopted and are sons of God, indeed! We are now heirs, and "joint heirs" with Christ (Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 1:4). We are also now objects of the Father's love (John 17:23; 1 John 4:7-11). *4:6 "And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father" The love of God for His sons (children) is further emphasized here by God giving us the promise (Jeremiah 31:31-34), the "Spirit of his Son" into our hearts (Romans 5:5). This relationship between God and man is so complete we can now, because of the Spirit, say, "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15-18). A phrase which is expressive of an especially close relationship to God (it is Aramaic for Father). *4:7 "So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God" A Jewish son longed for the day when he would become of age and receive his entitlements. Those could have involved title, property, land, riches, etc. Ours is knowing that we are "sons," and we are sons by and through God. God has chosen us as sons because of His love for us, and our obedience to His will. William Booth ------------------------------ Galatians 4:1-7 Galatians 4:1-7 (OPV) 1 This also I say: As long as the heir is an underage child, he does not differ from a slave though he is lord of all. 2 But he is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father. 3 So we also, when we were underage children, were enslaved by the principles of the world. 4 But when the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under law, 5 that He might redeem those who were under law, that we might receive the sonship. 6 And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 So that you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, also an heir through God. Comments by Roy Davison *4:1 "This also I say" Paul returns to the topic of 3:23,24. *4:1 "As long as the heir is an underage child" The Greek word translated "underage child" means "infant" literally, but is used here in a special sense for a "minor" or someone who is "underage". *4:1 "He does not differ from a slave" A minor heir is under the restrictions of law until he comes of age. He is under the same restrictions as the son of a slave in the same household! Paul shows that the Jews, although they had the law, had not yet "come of age" before Christ came. Thus, with regard to the rights of sonship, they were no better off than the Gentiles. *4:1 "Though he is lord of all" In title and prospect, the heir is "lord" of that which he will one day inherit in fact. Is "lord of all" exaggerated? A son of God has a Father who owns everything! "For every beast of the forest is mine, And the cattle upon a thousand hills" (Ps 50:10 ASV). "For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's" (1 Cor 3:21-23 ASV). *4:2 "But he is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father" Guardians are those who oversee the person and welfare of the child. Stewards are those who oversee the property. The father can set a date for the son to obtain majority and no longer be under guardians and stewards. Even before the foundation of the world, God planned to grant believers sonship in Christ when the time was right, "in the fullness of the times" (Eph 1:4-11). *4:3 "So we also, when we were underage children, were enslaved by the principles of the world" Until Christ came, both Jews and Gentiles were under the restrictions of the principles of the world. Even at best, these principles relate only to things that are temporary and of limited value. At worst, they conflict with the will of God. In Christ we are freed from the principles of the world (Col 2:8,20) and are led by Christ. The temple under the Old Covenant, for example, was merely a worldly representation: "Now even a first [covenant] had ordinances of divine service, and its sanctuary, [a sanctuary] of this world" (Heb 9:1 ASV). Old Testament worship was based on passing shadows of coming realities in Christ (Col 2:16,17). *4:4 "But when the time had fully come" Christ came at exactly the right time. "Thou wilt arise, and have mercy upon Zion; For it is time to have pity upon her, Yea, the set time is come" (Ps 102:13 ASV; see also Is 49:7,8 and 2 Cor 6:2). "For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth" (Eph 1:10 RSV). *4:4 "God sent forth His Son" This word refers to someone sent on a mission (compare with Acts 7:12). The pre-existence of Christ is indicated. "Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me" (John 8:42 ASV). "I came out from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go unto the Father" (John 16:28 ASV). The Father sends forth His Son, and the Father sends forth the Spirit of His Son (Gal 4:6). The Father sends the Spirit in the name of Christ (John 14:26). Christ sends the Spirit from the Father (John 15:26). "Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; from the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord Jehovah hath sent me, and his Spirit" (Is 48:16 ASV). *4:4 "Born of woman" After the fall, it was foretold that Satan would be conquered by the seed of woman (Gen 3:15). "Born of woman" emphasizes Christ's humanity, "Who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient [even] unto death, yea, the death of the cross" (Phil 2:6-8 ASV). "Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb 2:14 ASV). *4:4 "Born under law" By placing Himself under law, Christ takes upon Himself the curse of the law (Gal 3:13). *4:5 "That He might redeem those who were under law" He redeems us by becoming a curse on our behalf that the penalty for our sins might be paid, allowing us an escape from the sentence of death, that He "might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Heb 2:15 ASV). Not only the Jews, also the Gentiles were under law (Rom 2:14,15). They were condemned because they committed unrighteousness, rejecting the knowledge of God they had (Rom 1:18-32). *4:5 "That we might receive the sonship" In the New Testament, the main significance of this word (which has been translated as "adoption") is actually "sonship" referring to the privileges and rights of a son after he comes of age, whether he is a son by birth or by adoption. See the article entitled "Born or Adopted" by T. Pierce Brown under his name in The Old Paths Archive [http://www.oldpaths.com]. See also Kittel, vol. 8, page 399. Christ gives those who receive Him the right to become sons of God (John 1:12). This sonship does not come by the law. "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17 ASV). The law brings the curse of sin and death, which can only be removed by the grace of God in Christ Jesus, allowing us to be sons of God in Him. *4:6 "And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father" "For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:15-17 ASV). Some have claimed that this Spirit is merely the "attitude" of Christ which we should develop through study of the Scriptures and following His example. We certainly should study the Scriptures and follow His example, and have "the mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16; Phil 2:5; 1 Pet 4:1). But that is not what is meant here because the Spirit is "sent forth" by God "into our hearts." Jesus told His disciples: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:13 ASV). "And hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us" (Rom 5:5 ASV). "Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God?" (1 Cor 6:19 ASV). The Spirit is an earnest or an "advance" on our inheritance in Christ, "in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of [God's] own possession, unto the praise of his glory" (Eph 1:13,14 ASV). Notice the word "crying". "And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for [us] with groanings which cannot be uttered; and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God" (Rom 8:26,27 ASV). Abba is the Hebrew (Aramaic) word for father, which is used in the original text along with the Greek word for father. In Christ, both Jews and Greeks can address God as Father. Also see Mark 14:36 where Jesus says, "Abba, Father." Jesus Christ, the Messiah, enables us to join Him in calling God our Father. "For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold, I and the children whom God hath given me" (Heb 2:10-13 ASV). *4:7 "So that you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, also an heir through God" In Christ we have received the sonship. We are no longer slaves or underage children. And as sons, we are also "heirs according to promise" (Gal 3:29), "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:17). We are heirs through God. He sent forth His Son (Gal 4:4) and sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts (Gal 4:6). Roy Davison ------------------------------ Galatians 4:8-11 Galatians 4:8-11 (ASV) 8 Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods: 9 but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again? 10 Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain. Comments by Howard Justice 8. "Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods" Paul notes that at that time (when they had not known of the Redeemer) they were still in bondage to those false gods which they served. It is evident that most of the Gentiles under patriarchal law had turned away from serving the true God to serving false gods. This is comparative to finding a heathen person who has reverted to nature in worshipping those things of nature around him. Such was the case of the American native. He worshipped the sun, the moon, the stars, the great spirit, etc. And this was typical of the Galatian Gentiles who had been converted to Christ. They had a difficult time in understanding that they had to make a clean break with their past practices in order to be pleasing to God. Because of this, many were still "under the bondage" of their past. 9 "But now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again?" Paul admonishes them for their wanting to turn back to those things that were without power or profit in their past. It was similar to a reversion to the wild that we sometimes see in domesticated animals. Man, without any knowledge of God or who has a weak faith in God, will usually revert to his former practices. Many of the Galatian brethren had done the very same thing. 10 "Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years" We get a much clearer picture here that many of these brethren had retained or at least turned back to the practice of keeping certain days, months, seasons and years in a religious way. This same problem arose under the emperor Constantine who allowed the feast of Saturnalia to be combined into what the Catholic Church calls "Christmas." It was done as an appeasement so that the heathen converts to Catholicism would not leave it because of their desire to keep their former holy days, feasts, etc. Such is an abomination to God (Jeremiah 32:35). 11 "I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain" Paul was concerned that his efforts had been in vain in teaching the gospel to these brethren because they had held onto those former practices that annulled their efforts. It was of no benefit for them to observe these days, months, seasons or years. As a matter of fact, their keeping such "holy" days and feasts could easily disqualify them from the inheritance in Christ Jesus. Paul was indeed worried that his hard work in converting many of these brethren might be for naught. Let us also be careful that we do not make the same mistake as these former heathens. Let us be wary of doing anything that has a religious aura about it that is not authorized by God. Howard Justice ------------------------------ Galatians 4:8-11 Galatians 4:8-11 (ASV) 8 Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods: 9 but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again? 10 Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain. Comments by William Booth *4:8 "Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods" Before the Gentiles became Christians, they believed in and worshipped other gods, which they had created. Their worship was physical, which was by nature, pleasing to their senses. When Paul taught them, they turned away from the fleshly, and became spiritual through obedience to the gospel, receiving the Holy Spirit. *4:9 "But now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again?" Paul is speaking straight from his heart, of pure concern for their faith. He brings to their remembrance their former life of following false gods, to a new life of knowing the one and only true God. He also stresses that they are "known by God," that God had adopted them as His sons, and given them His Holy Spirit. Since they had been adopted by God as sons, they were in a Spiritual relationship with God, not a physical one. They had been deceived (by the Judaizers) and turned to the Jewish religion. In chapter 3, Paul has already stated this law had been fulfilled by Christ, and was no longer in effect. The Jewish religion was a physical type of worship which included blood sacrifices, vessels, clothing, burning of incense, and other physical acts; all being associated with the senses. *4:10 "Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years" In verse 9, Paul mentions their being in bondage all over again. They had not returned to their former religion, but were now in bondage through following the Jewish religion of observing the Sabbath, feast days, and other festivals. In Romans 14:5-9, Paul speaks of observing days, abstaining from, and eating certain foods; however, he is referring to an individual preference with regard to a special day, or an abstinence from, or eating or not eating certain foods. This was not observance of the old Law, but an individual preference, not pressed upon others. The Galatians, however, were taking portions of the old Law and making them part of their worship to God as Christians. In Romans 10:4 Paul says that Christ is the end of the Law. The writer of Hebrews in chapter 7, verses 18-19, says the old law was weak and unprofitable, and the new, Christian faith brings a better hope and a means of drawing near to God. *4:11 "I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain" As a father has great concern, compassion and love for his children, Paul expresses himself as being "afraid" for their spiritual well-being. He was so concerned he felt his labor of love for them (teaching them to the point that they became "sons of God") might have been in vain because they were allowing themselves to be enslaved by Jewish laws and traditions. William Booth