Galatians 4:1-7

¹ “Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is owner of everything, ² but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. ³ So we too, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elementary principles of the world. ⁴ But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, ⁵ so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters.⁶ Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba! Father!’ ⁷ Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.”

Verse 1: Paul begins by using an analogy to illustrate his point. He compares an heir who is underage to a slave, even though the heir technically owns the entire estate. The emphasis here is on the heir’s lack of freedom and authority until the appointed time.

Verse 2: Paul continues the analogy, explaining that the underage heir is under the authority and guidance of guardians and trustees until the time determined by his father. These guardians and trustees are responsible for the heir’s well-being and preparation for his future inheritance. Likewise, the law was a guardian until the time appointed for Christ to appear.

Verse 3: The law revealed the slavery to sin that all people were under. The law was never intended to produce righteousness but rather existed to show the need for righteousness through grace.

Verse 4: Paul highlights the pivotal moment in history when God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. Jesus was born of a woman, fully human, and born under the law. Consequently, Jesus lived and taught under the law. He taught the perfect standard of the law (the Sermon on the Mount) and also the need for grace through faith in himself.

Verse 5: Paul explains the purpose of Christ’s coming. He came to redeem those who were under the law, to set them free from the bondage and condemnation of the law. Through Christ’s redemptive work, believers receive adoption as sons and daughters of God, becoming part of His family.

Verse 6: Paul emphasizes the new identity of believers as sons and daughters of God. As a result, God has sent the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of His Son, into their hearts. This Spirit enables believers to have an intimate relationship with God, crying out to him as “Abba, Father,” expressing their closeness and dependence on him.

Verse 7: Paul concludes by affirming the new status of believers. They are no longer slaves but children of God. As His children, they are also heirs, sharing in the inheritance and blessings that come from being part of God’s family. We have been set free from the condemnation of the law.