Galatians Chapter 4
Slaves and Children
4:1 Let me point out that as long as heirs are minors, they’re like servants at present though owners of everything in prospect. 2 They’re under guardians and trustees till the time their father specifies. 3 That’s like us. When we were minors, we were servants to the material-based notions the world operates by. 4 But when the time came, God sent out his Son—born by woman under law— 5 to redeem us who were under law and to adopt us as children. 6 Since we’re children, God gave us the sense of being that his Son has; we call out, “Dad.” 7 So we’re not servants anymore, but children that became heirs by God’s promise.
Gal 4:1-7
The Inadequacy of Law
8 Before you knew God, you served what weren’t really gods. 9 Now, since you know him—or better, he knows you—why do you want to go back and serve weak, material-based notions again? 10 You’re observing days, months, seasons, and years. 11 I’m afraid I’ve labored over you for nothing.
Gal 4:8-11
12 I plead with you, become like me because I’m like you. You haven’t wronged me in anything. 13 You know I presented the good news to you at the first because of a physical handicap. 14 You didn’t look down on me because of it. You received me like an angel from God, like Christ Jesus. 15 So where’s your sense of being blessed? I point out that, if possible, you would’ve gouged your eyes out and given them to me. 16 So, do I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 The ones that are confusing you aren’t seeking you out for any good reason. They want to lock you out so you’ll look to them to get in. 18 But it’s always good to have someone seek you out in a good way, not just when I’m around. 19 My children, I’m in labor with you again until Christ forms in you. 20 I’d like to be with you now and change my tone. I’m worried about you. Gal 4:12-20
The Hagar-Sarah Allegory
21 You that want to be under law, tell me, are you listening to it? 22 Scripture says Abraham had two sons, one by a servant girl and one by a free woman. 23 The one the servant girl had was born physically, but the one the free woman had was born by promise. 24 These points set up an illustration: the women represent two covenants. 25 Hagar, from Mount Sinai in Arabia, bears children into bondage. She’s the mountain that corresponds to present-day Jerusalem because she’s in bondage along with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free; that’s our mother. 27 Scripture says,
“Celebrate, barren one that doesn’t bear;
cry out and scream, woman that’s not in labor.
The woman that’s single has more children
than the one with a husband” [Is 54:1].
28 You’re children like Isaac. 29 The one born physically was persecuting the one born spiritually; it’s the same way now. 30 But what does the scripture say?
“Send away the servant girl and her son;
her son will not inherit with the son” of the free woman [Gen 21:10].
31 So we’re not children of a servant girl, but of a free woman. 1 Christ really has set us free; so stand firm; don’t put yourselves back under a yoke of bondage.
Gal 4:21-5:1