Galatians 4

Galatians 4 provides a deeper look into the theme of freedom versus bondage under the law, as Paul contrasts the believers’ status under the old covenant (the Law) with the new covenant (through Christ). He uses allegories and personal appeals to illustrate that faith in Christ has liberated the Galatians from the bondage of the law. Paul emphasizes the relationship of believers as children of God rather than slaves, urging the Galatians to remain free and not revert to the legalistic practices that do not justify them before God.

Galatians 4:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,
2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.

This passage uses the analogy of an heir who, while still a child, has no more freedom than a servant because they are under guardians and stewards until the time set by the father. Paul compares this to humanity’s spiritual condition before Christ—bound under the "elements of the world." These "elements" can refer to both the ceremonial laws given to Israel and to the basic principles of religion that governed human efforts toward righteousness. However, Paul’s primary point here is that, under the old covenant, the ceremonial aspects—though divinely instituted—functioned like the "elements of the world" in that they were outward forms unable to bring true spiritual maturity or freedom. Just as humanity as a whole was enslaved by systems of works-based religion, Israel’s reliance on the law for righteousness held them in a state of spiritual infancy until Christ came. This passage underscores that faith in Christ frees believers from a works-based approach to salvation, granting them the full privileges of sonship as heirs of God’s promise.

Galatians 4:4-6 (NKJV)
4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

This passage teaches that when Christ came at the appointed time, He redeemed us from the goverment and condemnation of the law, making it possible for us to be adopted as sons and daughters of God. This adoption is not just a legal declaration—it brings a transformation through the Holy Spirit, referred to as the "Spirit of His Son." We receive this Spirit when we accept Christ by faith, marking the beginning of the new covenant experience. In this new covenant, we are no longer guided merely by the letter of the law, which in the old covenant exposed sin but could not change hearts. Instead, as explained in 2 Corinthians 3, the Spirit writes the moral principles of God's law on our hearts, empowering us to live according to His will from within rather than through external compulsion.

This "new way of living" signifies the shift from the ministry of condemnation and death—characterized by the old covenant focused on rituals and external observances—to the ministry of righteousness and life, where believers live in harmony with God's law by the Spirit's power. The Spirit not only convicts us of sin but also gives us wisdom, discernment, and strength to live out God's principles of love, justice, and holiness in daily life. This transformation reflects the intimate relationship we now have with God, calling Him "Abba, Father," as we walk in faith, guided and empowered by the Spirit rather than the mere letter of the law.

Galatians 4:7-10 (NKJV)
7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.
9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?
10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.

This passage highlights the contrast between freedom in Christ and the bondage of returning to legalism. Paul reminds the believers that they are no longer slaves but sons and heirs of God through Christ. However, he expresses concern that they were turning back to "weak and beggarly elements." These "elements" refer to the elementary, outward practices used under the old covenant—like ceremonial laws, feast days, and rituals—which were never meant to provide salvation but to point forward to Christ. These practices were "weak" because they had no power to transform the heart, and "beggarly" because they offered no true spiritual riches compared to the abundant grace found in Christ.

The phrase "those which by nature are not gods" refers to the Galatians' former idolatry as Gentiles. Before knowing God, they worshiped false gods and followed pagan customs. Paul is warning that turning to the legalistic observance of Jewish rites in an attempt to gain righteousness is no better than returning to paganism—it is another form of spiritual bondage. Whether it’s pagan worship or legalism, both represent a return to self-effort and slavery, rather than living in the freedom and intimacy of being God’s children, guided by His Spirit under the new covenant.

Galatians 4:11 (NKJV)
11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

Paul expresses deep concern that his efforts to teach the Galatians the gospel might be wasted if they continue to revert to legalistic practices, indicating his fear that they have not fully grasped the essence of the freedom offered through Christ.

Galatians 4:12-20 (NKJV)
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all.
13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.
14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.
16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.
18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.

Paul’s tone shifts to one of deep personal concern as he appeals to the Galatians to return to the truth of the gospel. He begins by urging them to follow his example of living in the freedom of faith rather than being bound by the law. Paul recalls how, despite his physical weakness—likely a debilitating illness—they welcomed him with love and treated him as though he were an angel or even Christ Himself. This illustrates their initial acceptance of the gospel with joy and selflessness.

However, Paul expresses distress that they have turned away under the influence of false teachers who zealously court them, not for their good, but to win their loyalty and alienate them from the truth. Paul longs for their spiritual maturity, comparing himself to a mother enduring the pains of childbirth until "Christ is formed" in them. His concern is not merely doctrinal but deeply relational and pastoral. He desires their transformation into Christ's likeness, free from bondage to rituals and legalism, emphasizing that the goal of faith is a heart-centered relationship with Christ, not external observances.

Galatians 4:21-31 (NKJV)
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,
24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—
25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—
26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren, you who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor! For the more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman.”
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Paul uses the story of Abraham's two sons—Isaac, born of the free woman Sarah, and Ishmael, born of the bondwoman Hagar—as an allegory to explain the difference between living under the bondage of the law and living in the freedom of God's promise through faith. Hagar represents the Old Covenant, which includes the entire system of the law, not only ceremonial laws but also the Ten Commandments, when viewed as a means of earning righteousness. Sarah, on the other hand, represents the New Covenant, where believers are justified by faith and receive the Spirit of Christ, who guides and transforms their lives. This is supported by passages such as Ezekiel 36:26-27, where God promises to give a new heart and put His Spirit within His people so they can walk in His ways, and Romans 8:9-10, which says that those who belong to Christ have His Spirit dwelling in them.

With the Spirit, believers live in harmony with God's law, fulfilling its true purpose by reflecting God's character (Romans 8:4). Paul reminds the Galatians that, like Isaac, they are children of the promise, born of the Spirit, not of human effort or obligation to the law. He emphasizes that returning to legalism is akin to returning to slavery, while true freedom is found in living as heirs of God’s grace. Quoting Isaiah 54:1, Paul assures them that God's promise brings greater joy and fruitfulness than human striving, concluding that those who seek righteousness by works cannot coexist with those who live by faith. Instead, believers must "cast out the bondwoman and her son" (Galatians 4:30) and fully embrace the freedom found in Christ, who fulfills the law through His Spirit working in them (Romans 3:31, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18).