Galatians 4

Sunday, 17 April 2016

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Galatians 4:6

As noted in 4:5, the logical order is redemption and then adoption. For those who have been redeemed, God includes them in His family. What would be the purpose of redeeming a person and then leaving them under the very law they were redeemed from? Instead, we are adopted as sons into a new economy. This is Paul’s logical argument to the Galatians. And because we are adopted something wonderful is the result.

He says, “…because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts.” The word “because” indicates a result; one thing logically follows after another. As sons, the logical result is that we receive the Spirit of Christ into our hearts. Christ is the Son of God. He was able to lovingly call out to His Father as a Son. Now, because we are adopted as sons, we too are enabled to call out in this same filial manner.

Does this mean that we will be free from life’s trials? Does this mean that we will be kept from harm, sadness, or pain? The answer to these questions is “No.” What it does mean is that we can come to God in good times or bad with the same courage and hope as Christ did. No matter what we face, we know that the will of our heavenly Father is what is right and appropriate. The only time Jesus is recorded as having called out, “Abba, Father” was during the darkest moment of His life –

“And He said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.‘” Mark 14:36

Like Christ, who shortly after His words to God was beaten and nailed to the cross, we too can have the same courage, resolve, and determination that no matter what occurs, our heavenly Father is with us in it. We too can cry out “Abba, Father!” In both times of joy and in times of great agony, we have a right, and the honor, to pour out our hearts to Him.

The word “crying” is krázō. It is “an onomatopoetic term for a raven’s piercing cry (“caw”); (figuratively) cry out loudly with an urgent scream or shriek, using ‘inarticulate shouts that express deep emotion.'” (HELPS Word Studies).

When we have emotion so deeply confined in our souls that no words can properly express them, it is the Spirit of Christ which calls out for us to His father on our behalf. He suffered the same (and worse) than we suffer. He has been exalted to levels higher than we can know. In all ways, He is able to empathize with our situation and to call out on our behalf for us. This is the idea of what Paul is saying. Tying this together with Romans 8, we can see the full meaning of what is occurring –

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.'” Romans 8:14, 15

It is we who cry actually, but it is the Spirit of Christ who carries our cry to our heavenly Father. He is the One who makes this wondrous display of son-ship to the God of the universe possible.

Life application: God no less hears our cries to Him than He heard the cries of Christ Jesus there in the Garden of Gethsemane. We are His sons through adoption and no petition of ours is unheard. Be comforted in this as you walk through this world of both joys and trials.

Heavenly Father, Your word tells us that though Christ, we are adopted sons into Your family. We can, even in our darkest moments call out to You for help in our time of need. Jesus cried out to You “Abba, Father” in the Garden of Gethsemane and You heard. How comforting it is to know that we have the same divine ear listening to our own cries of both joy and anguish. Thank You for the surety we posses that our every prayer is heard by You. Amen.

Saturday, 16 April 2016

…to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:5

Giving the full thought of this sentence will help provide context –

“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.”

Paul has been speaking of the purpose of giving the law and how it is not some type of replacement to the promises made to Abraham and his seed. Instead, it was given as a tutor to lead us to Christ. At the right moment, Christ came “to redeem those who were under the law.” Redemption from the law was necessary because, as he has already shown, “…as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse” (verse 3:10). This is because one must fulfill the law perfectly; something no one is capable of doing.

Further, he showed “that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith'” (verse 3:11). Because of this, Christ came in order to redeem us from the power of the law and from the curse it brings. He explained how this was accomplished in verses 3:13, 14. And the reason for accomplishing this is so “that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

The logical order of what occurs is redemption from the law followed by adoption as sons into the messianic body; Christ being “the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). The knowledge of sin, and the penalty for committing sin, came about through the law. Through adoption, release from the power of the law, and immunity from the penalty of sin is realized.

It should be noted that being received as adopted sons implies a first-time entrance into son-ship, not a receiving back as a son. In other words, the parable of Luke 15 concerning the prodigal son is not what Paul is referring to here. It is though faith in Christ that we are brought into the family of God. Adoption apart from faith in the promises of God is not possible. It is another indication that the law was unable to save.

Life application: If we had to be redeemed from the law in order to be adopted as sons, then why would we insert (or re-insert) deeds of the law after becoming sons? The two thoughts are contradictory. We, by faith in Christ’s accomplished work (plus nothing), are saved unto eternal life.

Lord God, it is with gratitude and a feeling of complete unworthiness that I come to You with my daily needs and requests. And yet, it is with a sense of boldness that I can do so! This isn’t because I merit a moment in Your presence, but because of the work of Christ. Through Him, I can come boldly to Your throne of grace and state my heart’s desire to You. Thank You for access to Your great throne. Thank You for Jesus my Lord. Amen.

Friday, 15 April 2016

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, Galatians 4:4

This is a verse filled with wonder and delight concerning the eternal councils of God and the marvelous plan of the ages which has been slowly realized in the stream of human history. It helps us to understand the concept of progressive revelation. This is a doctrine which tells us that God slowly and methodically reveals His will to man concerning the process of redemption. He revealed the first explicit hints of it in Genesis 3:15. Since that time, He has revealed a bit more at key points in history – all pointing to the coming Christ.

Understanding this, Paul now says, “But…” This is in contrast to the words of the previous verse which said, “…when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.” Of this contrasting thought, Charles Ellicott states, “That which was predetermined in the counsels of God as the right and proper time when the whole course of previous preparation both for Jew and Gentile was complete.”

It was at this exact moment in history, when the right time for the Dispensation of Grace was ready to be revealed, that Paul says, “…the fullness of the time had come.” The law had served its purpose. Those under the law had been taught their lesson concerning their need for something else. They would be properly directed to an understanding of their need for Christ. Those without the law would likewise be ready to understand what Christ had done within the law. The time had come for the world to learn this new part of God’s unfolding plan of redemption.

And so “God sent forth His Son.” The word for “sent forth” is exapostelló. God sent out from Himself His Son. This is described by the apostle John at the beginning of His gospel –

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

Jesus was with God, and God sent Himself forth in order to reveal Himself to the world. In both John 1:1, and in Paul’s words now, the pre-existence of Christ is taken as an axiom. He always existed; He is not a created being. Paul further describes this remarkable event in Philippians 2 –

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:5-7

Christ came from God and entered into the stream of humanity, being “born of a woman.”  This same general terminology was used when speaking of John the Baptist in Matthew 11:11 –

“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Because of this, Paul is referring in this clause not to His deity, but to His humanity. Though fully God, having come from God, He is also fully man, having come through the stream of humanity. But to ensure that a full understanding of Christ’s deity is not overlooked, it needs to be noted that the same word for “sent forth” is used again in Galatians 4:6 when speaking of the Holy Spirit –

“And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!'”

Bible scholar Bengel notes that, “What that means is evident from the train of thought in this passage, for we have received first adoption, then the Spirit of adoption. Therefore Christ Himself is not the Son of God, merely because He was sent and anointed by the Father.”

In other words, the deity of Christ cannot be called into question. Through Christ, we are adopted children of God. Because of this adoption, we are then granted the Spirit of adoption, thus sealing our new status in Christ. Jesus was sent from God; the Holy Spirit is sent from God. Each performs His role as determined by the Godhead. In other words, the concept of the Trinity is seen in what is being relayed to us.

And yet, though fully God, Christ’s humanity is likewise not to be diminished in our theology. He was born of a woman and he was also “born under the law.” The very law that God gave to the people of Israel is the same law which Christ was born under. He was, in essence, born subservient to the law. Israel demonstrated that the law could not save them, and that they needed something else. As Christ was born within the people of Israel and under that same law, then what would be the outcome? Paul will explain the situation in the next verse.

Life application – The deity of Christ, the humanity of Christ, and the nature of the Godhead – meaning the Trinity – are all tied up in the theology of the Bible. To dismiss any of these precepts leads directly down the heresy highway. Be sure to accept the record of the Bible as it stands. Jesus Christ is fully God, fully Man, and the second member of the Godhead.

How can I find my way back to You, O God? You dwell in eternity and I am here in the stream of time. I can’t go back and undo the things I have done, and so an infinite chasm exists between us. But then Jesus…! He came out from You and so time cannot contain or restrain Him. He can put His infinite hand out to You, and He can put His finite hand upon me. The bridge is realized; the expanse has been traversed; reconciliation is made! Thank You, O God, for Jesus who makes all things new. Amen.

Thursday, 14 April 2016

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. Galatians 4:3

Paul has been speaking of the heir of an estate who is, until a certain point, no different than a slave within the house as far as authority and needing instruction is concerned. He may be the master of all, but he needs to be instructed, just as a slave does, in every step of his life. Paul now shows that his words were a metaphor for those who have not yet come to Christ. And so he says, “Even so we…”

The “we” is speaking of Jews under the law, but it is not limited to that. He is also speaking of the Gentiles who lived under their own systems of religion within the confines of the world. Each group was deficient in understanding what was needed to be right with God as Christians. In this state, “when we were children” is a time of being in bondage. Whether it is Jews under the law, or Gentiles without Christ, the bondage existed, and the bondage is sin.

The law didn’t take care of the sin problem, it merely highlighted it. Were it not for the provision of mercy within the law, meaning the Day of Atonement, there would be no hope for those under the law. As the Day of Atonement was a day of faith, then their annual covering was not of works of the law, but of trust in God for mercy. Only in Christ is that realized. The same is true with Jew or Gentile.

And so in that previous state, all “were in bondage under the elements of the world.” The word for elements is stoicheion. It means “properly, fundamentals, like with the basic components of a philosophy, structure, etc.; (figuratively) ‘first principles,’ like the basic fundamentals of Christianity” (HELPS Word Studies).

It further refers to “the rudiments with which mankind . . . were indoctrinated (before the time of Christ), i.e. the elements of religious training or the ceremonial precepts common alike to the worship of Jews and of Gentiles” (J. Thayer).

Both Jew and Gentile had worldly systems in that they did not transcend this world. Each participated in ritual sacrifices. Each had certain feast days. Each had systems which only pointed to spiritual and heavenly things. It doesn’t matter that the law was given by God and that the other religions were of man, they both fell under the same worldly types of workings.

It is for this reason that Paul uses the same term, stoicheion, to speak of these systems in a negative light in Colossians 2:8 and 2:20. In those verses, it is referring to any such worldly system – whether law or Gentile religion. The only difference is that the law actually pointed to Christ. Other than that, it was still only a type and a shadow.

If these things, even those under the law, are “worldly” then they need to be put aside when the “heavenly” and “spiritual” truly comes. In Christ, they are realized.

Life application: The Bible is about the redemption of man. How sad it is that people try to convince others that they need to do something which is of this world in order to be redeemed! Christ, the heavenly Man, is the way for us to be reconciled to God. Put away works of the law and be reconciled to God through Christ Jesus. Call on Him today!

Heavenly Father, it is a marvelous day because it is a day in Your presence. When things happen around us that seem confusing or disheartening, we can still find joy and a sense of peace when we turn to You. Is our hope in a sound economy? That’s temporary at best. Is our joy in an expensive house? That can go up in a blaze of fire. Is contentment to be found in another person? Their heart could stop in a … in a heartbeat. No. Nothing of this world can bring full contentment. Only from You is there joy everlasting. And so every day is a marvelous day when it is in Your presence. Amen!

Wednesday, 13 April 2016

…but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Galatians 4:2

This verse is connected to verse 1 and it would be good to cite them together for context –

“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.”

The child may be the inheritor of all of the estate, just as Israel was to be the inheritor of the New Covenant (see Jeremiah 31:31, 32), but like the heir, they were not ready for that to be revealed “until the time appointed by the [F]ather.” Until that time, they were “under guardians and stewards.” Paul is using a real life example to show why the law was given to Israel and the purpose that law served.

The term “guardians” refers to a person to whom the care of a boy was committed during a particular time in their development. They trained them, took them to school, and even personally helped in educating them. This was what they did and it is what occurred for Israel while they were being taught through the many long years of their need for something other than the law.

The term “stewards” indicates a manager of a house. He was the overseer of it. He had the authority over the entire household including slaves and servants. It is pretty much what Joseph did under Potiphar while in Egypt. Eliezer of Damascus served a similar function under Abraham. Even though slaves, they were given this responsibility because they were found trustworthy and competent.

In this, Paul is equating Israel to being under such a guardian and a steward. The right to the inheritance belonged to them, but they were guided under the guardian until they became of rightful age. They were kept under such care until they had been shown that the law was insufficient to save them. Until that point, the law was intended to keep them in check and to show them how sinful sin really is.

At the coming of Christ, these caretakers were no longer needed. Instead, by faith in Christ, they would become recipients of God’s promises and they would have full rights within the house.

Life application: The law is shown time and time again to be a mere stepping stone in the process of redemptive history. It served its purpose and it was fulfilled in Christ. At that time, its purpose had been served and it was set aside. Now, by faith alone in Christ alone, all become rightful heirs of the promise. Don’t be duped into believing you must observe the law. It is a step back to bondage.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful life of blessing and joy that You have given us. Even those who haven’t called on You still receive Your many gracious gifts of life, love, yummy food, and good times with family and friends. For those who know You as Father, we do so with an extra bonus… the greatest of all. We have been given the blessing of life-eternal through Christ our Lord. No matter what comes that gives us grief, nothing can truly steal our joy. Thank You for our sure and certain hope! Amen.