Galatians Chapter 4

INTRODUCTION:

We are in the fifth week of our study of Galatians. Paul has been addressing a theological crisis because the churches in Galatia were adding to the gospel of grace based on the influence of false teachers of the time. Last week we looked at Galatians 3 and Paul made it clear once again, that justification comes through faith in Jesus, not by the works of the law. 

Chapter 4 of Galatians is about continuing to drive home the contrast between living under the law and living in the freedom of faith. Paul uses the analogy of heirs and slaves, explaining that while an heir is a child, they are no different from a slave because they are under guardians until the set time. This is similar to how the law was a guardian until Christ came. Once Christ came, believers are no longer slaves but children of God and heirs of His promise.

Paul also expresses his personal concern for the Galatians, worried that they are turning back to old ways of legalism. He recalls their past relationship when they welcomed him with open arms, and he urges them to continue in the freedom of the gospel.

We will see that the chapter emphasizes our transformation from slavery to sonship, from law to grace, and it reads like a heartfelt plea from Paul to embrace the freedom found in Christ. 

Let’s dive in!

Galatians 4:1-7

I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So, you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Alright, let's break it down:

Paul uses real life application and words the Galatians understood at the time as we will see.

Heir vs. Slave: 

• Heir – Comparing believers to heirs, signifying a transition from slavery to sonship.

  • An Heir has their allotment ready and waiting for them, they just have to wait until the time is right

• Slave - Roman slaves, or bondservants were not slaves as we recognize the term today.

  • They were often permitted to work for pay and could save enough to buy their freedom. 

The Law as Guardian: The law served as a guardian or tutor, guiding until Christ came, highlighting its temporary role.

Fullness of Time: When the time was right, God sent His Son, born under the law, to redeem those under the law. This marks a transition from the old covenant to the new.

Adoption to Sonship: Through Christ, believers receive adoption to sonship, becoming full heirs rather than “spiritual slaves”.

Intimacy with God: Enables believers to cry out, “Abba, Father,” indicating a close and personal relationship with God.

Heirs of God: As children of God, believers are also heirs of God, emphasizing the inheritance and promise of eternal life.

Let’s continue….

Galatians 4:8-20

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first,  and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?  They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

Observations here…

Former Bondage: Paul reminds the Galatians of their previous enslavement to false gods, emphasizing their past spiritual bondage.

Turning Back: He expresses concern that they are reverting to old ways, observing special days and seasons, indicative of a return to legalistic practices.

Personal Plea: Paul makes a personal appeal, urging the Galatians to become like him, free from the law and influence of false teachings and to be convinced of the truth in Jesus Christ. 

Former Reception: He recalls how they initially received him warmly, despite his illness, showing the sincerity of their initial faith.

Zeal and Truth: Paul acknowledges the zealous behavior of others, but he warns that such zeal is only good if it aligns with the truth.

Paul’s Deep Concern: Expresses his anguish over their spiritual state, comparing his concern to the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in them.

• We see Paul’s deep emotional investment and concern for the Galatians’ spiritual well-being really stand out here.  Have you ever “felt” this way when it comes to a personal relationship with someone else or a group of folks?

Galatians 4:21-31

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written,

“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;

    break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!

For the children of the desolate one will be more

    than those of the one who has a husband.”

Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.  But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

Alright, diving into Galatians 4:21-31:

First up let’s identify who Hagar and Sarah are.   If you remember last week we talked about Abraham and how he was a man of faith BEFORE the law existed…

• Sarah: She was Abraham's wife and the mother of Isaac. Sarah was initially unable to have children, which led her to offer her Egyptian slave, Hagar, to Abraham as a surrogate.

• Isaac, the son of Sarah and Abraham, is the father of the Jewish nation.

• Isaac's son Jacob, later named Israel, had twelve sons who became the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel.

• Isaac's lineage includes figures such as Jacob (Israel) and Esau, with Jacob's descendants becoming the Israelites.

• Hagar: She was Sarah's Egyptian slave, given to Abraham to bear a child when Sarah couldn't. Hagar bore Abraham's first son, Ishmael. After Hagar became pregnant, Sarah treated her harshly, and Hagar fled into the wilderness. God spoke to Hagar, promising that her son would be the ancestor of a great nation

• Ishmael, the son of Hagar and Abraham, is considered the father of the Ishmaelites and Arab nations

• According to Genesis 25:12-18, Ishmael's descendants settled in the region from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt

Hagar and Sarah Allegory: Paul uses the story of Hagar and Sarah to illustrate two covenants—the old covenant of the law (Hagar) and the new covenant of grace (Sarah).

Slavery vs. Freedom: Hagar, the slave woman, represents Mount Sinai and the old covenant, which brings slavery. Sarah, the free woman, represents the new covenant from the heavenly Jerusalem, which brings freedom.

Children of Promise: Believers are likened to Isaac, children of the promise, not children of the slave woman.

Persecution: Just as Ishmael persecuted Isaac, those born of the Spirit can expect opposition from those bound by the law.

Inheritance: The slave woman’s son will not share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son, emphasizing that inheritance comes through the promise, not the law.

• This section powerfully contrasts the bondage of the law with the freedom of the promise, urging believers to live in the liberty brought by Christ. 

Applications for us today:

Embrace Your Identity: Understand and live out your identity as a child of God. Let this relationship shape your actions and interactions.

Freedom in Faith: Don’t fall back into legalistic practices or old ways of thinking. Embrace the freedom that comes through faith in Christ.

Seek Intimacy with God: Foster a close, personal relationship with God, treating Him as a loving Father. 

• John R. W. Stott, in The Message of Galatians: Only One Way, The Bible Speaks Today 

“Thus, God’s purpose was not only to secure our sonship by His Son, but to assure us of it by His Spirit. He sent His Son that we might have the status of sonship, and He sent His Spirit that we might have an experience of it. This comes through the affectionate, confidential intimacy of our access to God in prayer, in which we find ourselves assuming the attitude and using the language not of slaves, but of sons. So the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, witnessing to our sonship and prompting our prayers, is the precious privilege of all God’s children. It is ‘because you are sons’ (verse 6) that God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. No other qualification is needed. There is no need to recite some formula, or strive after some experience, or fulfill some extra condition. Paul says to us clearly that if we are God’s children, and because we are God’s children, God has sent His Spirit into our hearts. And the way He assures us of our sonship is not by some spectacular gift or sign, but by the quiet inward witness of the Spirit as we pray.”

Guard Against Old Habits: Be vigilant about not slipping back into past behaviors or belief systems that enslaved you.

Live as Heirs: Recognize that you are heirs to God's promises. Let this empower and inspire you to live boldly and confidently in your faith.

CONCLUSION:

Paul explains that, like an heir who is no different from a slave while under guardianship, believers were under the guardianship of the law until Christ came. Now, through faith, we are children of God and heirs of His promises. Paul uses the allegory of Hagar and Sarah to illustrate the contrast between living under the law (slavery) and living under the promise (freedom). Hagar represents the old covenant, which leads to slavery, while Sarah represents the new covenant, leading to freedom. 

God provided a way through Jesus to make slaves into sons. His purpose was to redeem and adopt not just to rescue and release. We are being called to stay vigilant and not revert back to old ways or practices, but embrace our new identity in Christ, a freedom that did not exist before.  More on that next week in Chapter 5!

Before we move into our discussion time, I want to encourage you guys to get out and vote this week if you haven’t already. I’m not sure how it’s been 4 years already, but the Presidential Election is upon us. 

I believe voting is a way to put faith into action. So, are Christians called to vote?  We are called to be stewards of our communities, and voting is one way to influence decisions that align with biblical values. No one candidate is perfect, because there is no one except Jesus, who is perfect. Voting is one of our opportunities to advocate for justice, mercy, and the common good. By voting, Christians can help shape a society that reflects biblical principles of love, justice, and compassion. We can have an impact.  So get out and vote!