Galatians, Chapter 4
© Copyright 1998 Darroll Evans-all rights
reserved
We begin the section using the last verse of
Chapter 3.
Galatians 3:29 And
if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to
the promise.
Here, we
begin to discuss the promise made to the “seed” of Abraham.
The promise
does not begin with the OT Covenant!
Instead, we
find the promise came before the covenant.
Gen 12:2-3
2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy
name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth
be blessed.
That promise was given chapters and
years prior to the Covenant of Genesis, chapter 17.
The promise was given to a Gentile
named Abram!
There are no stipulations connected
with the Promise as there are with the Covenant!
We also find that the promise was not
confined to the physical seed.
Romans 9:7-8
7 Neither,
because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all
children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That
is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are
not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in
Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed
away; behold, all things are become new.
Christians are new creations, and
made party to the promise made to Abram!
We are not party to the covenant in
the same manner as are Jews.
Instead, we are the result of a New
Covenant between God the Father and His Son Christ Jesus!
The Old Covenant failed because it
was between God and man, and man could not hold up his end of the Covenant.
The New Covenant is between God the
Father and God the Son! Because it is
totally dependent on God it cannot fail!
Now, let’s move to Chapter 4!
Chapter 4
Galatians 4:1 Now
I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth
nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Just because a person is an heir does not
mean that he/she is now a ruler.
Children need to mature before assuming
responsibility.
Galatians 4:2 But is under tutors and
governors until the time appointed of the father.
"Time appointed" speaks of a
predetermined or predestined time.
Has anyone told you that the exact time for
us rule and reign with Christ has been predetermined?
Now, let me tell you another secret.
Prayer—no matter how sincere---will not bring
that time to fruition one second earlier that God’s appointed time.
Galatians 4:3 Even so we, when we were
children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
"In bondage" speaks of
slavery.
As long as we are spiritually immature, we
are controlled, to an extent, by the "elements" of the world.
As we mature in Christ, we become less
dependent on the carnal and more sensitive to the spiritual.
Galatians 4:4 But
when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth
his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
When the fullness or proper time came, Christ
Jesus was born.
Christ was born during the time of the Law.
This is the only mention Paul makes to the
birth of Christ. Other
that this one time he does not speak of Jesus’ birth.
The four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and
John) in the New Testament actually tell of the last days of the Old Testament
age.
Acts is the first complete book of the New
Testament.
Galatians 4:5 To
redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of
sons.
Adoption is translated from Greek compound
word.
The first half, uioV, means son. The second half, tiqemi, means to appoint.
Adoption speaks of one who is appointed to be
a son.
But, why would both men and women be appointed as sons?
As we have read, there are no male or female
in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
In ancient times, sons received the
inheritance.
Since there are to be no male or female in
Christ, God appointed all as sons so each would receive and equal share of the
inheritance.
Prior to our adoption in Christ we were not
sons!
And, after our adoption we needed to mature,
to grow up in Christ!
All who are sons are not mature sons!
Galatians 4:6 And
because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your
hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Because we are now His—His sons, God has sent
His Spirit into our hearts.
We are His children and as children, we can
use an intimate Aramaic word for Father, "Abba."
Galatians 4:7 Wherefore
thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God
through Christ.
As sons, we are no longer servants.
We are now sons and heirs of God through, or
"by means of" Christ.
Galatians 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew
not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
"Did service" speaks of being
a slave.
Prior to our conversion, we were slaves to
sin.
John 8:34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone
who sins is a slave to sin" (NIV).
Galatians 4:9 But
now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye
again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in
bondage?
“Known” (in the Greek here) means the
same as the English "to know."
However, in biblical use it often reflects
the Hebrew idiom, which speaks of intimacy.
Do you “know” Christ?
Paul also says that the elements, or arts and
sciences of this world are weak and beggarly.
They are feeble and destitute.
On the surface that seems a radical, but
think about what passes for science.
The carbon dating system that we rely on has been
demonstrated to be utterly unreliable.
Evolution has been proved to be unscientific
fantasy and yet we cling to it.
Many supposed scientific "facts" is
actually nothing more than theory.
Atheist, haters of God have hijacked science.
Evolution is genetically impossible, but
because atheists control text book publication it is now taught in schools in
this nation.
The latest “missing link” is a scientific
fraud, but those that love lies proclaim it.
There is a ground-swell among scientists to
return to God and proclaim Christ.
But, atheists and agnostics still control
most university science departments.
Several years ago, I took a chemistry class
at a major university.
One day, the Professor (a Ph.D.) told the
class how an atom worked.
At the end of class, I went forward and told
him that what he said was wrong, because it violated the laws of physics.
He reminded me that he was a Ph.D. and I was
a just student.
I told him that he should go up to the second
floor of the
To his credit, he did just that and in the
next class session corrected his misconceptions.
He was an honest man.
Far too many of the current scientists are
not so honest.
Paul also addresses another point that
requires great honesty.
He asked, do you
desire to again go into bondage?
Look to your heart!
Do you desire sin?
There is a verse in the Bible that most do
not know about and none use as a sermon theme.
2 Peter 2:22b “The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow
that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
In this use, “dog” refers to the unconverted
heart.
Salvation is not a mental self-help program.
If you have claimed salvation without God’s
invitation, your claim to salvation is false.
And, you will return to a life of sin,
because that is where your heart is.
Galatians 4:10 Ye
observe days, and months, and times, and years.
Here, Paul turns to personal observations.
Do you keep God’s holy days or your holy
days?
Most Christians have not studied enough to
know the difference or to put them into proper order.
Some Christian observances are the result of
anti-Jewish political motives.
Most theologians know that December 25th
or its Hebrew calendar equivalent is not Christ’s birthday.
They also know that Easter comes on a
political date that set to avoid celebrating Passover.
Galatians 4:11 I am afraid of you, lest I
have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
"I am afraid of you" is a pathetic
translation.
The CLV, NASB, and NIV, all correctly
translate it as "I fear for you."
Paul feared that having worked among the
Galatians to bring them the truth concerning Christ, and having them
acknowledge that truth, they would reject the grace of God in favor attempting
to humanly attain salvation through works.
The Church that Peter supposedly founded
still teaches false Christianity, salvation by works.
Galatians 4:12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at
all.
Paul asked the Galatians to us him as an
example of a sinner saved by grace.
Their rejection of grace did not harm Paul.
It did not cause him to "lose" his salvation.
He as not
spiritually "injured" by their folly, they were.
Galatians 4:13 Ye
know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the
first.
Paul first brought the word of grace to
Galatians 4:14 And
my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received
me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
“Temptation” indicates a trial. In my opinion
the use of the word temptation is lacking.
The Galatians did not reject Paul’s message
because of his illness.
Galatians 4:15 Where is then the
blessedness ye spake of? for
I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out
your own eyes, and have given them to me.
In modern terms, Paul asked them about the
blessings they had experienced before turning away from Christ.
Then, he reminded them that they would have
done anything to help him in those days.
The NASB offers a better translation: Galatians
4:15 ‘Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I
bear you witness, that if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and
given them to me.” (NASB)
Galatians 4:16 Am I therefore become your
enemy, because I tell you the truth?
This question is not sarcastic.
If you speak the truth in love, it will not
always result in a loving reply.
Telling a non-Christian that he/she needs
Christ does not always result in a positive exchange.
Religious folks who do not acknowledge Christ
are offended when told that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and none
may come to the father except through Him.
Muslims are offended when told
that Islam is a man-made religion that worships the heathen Arab
moon-god.
The truth is not always accepted with joy.
But, we tell others because it is not our role
to choose who will or will not acknowledge Christ that is God’s business.
Galatians 4:17 They
zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might
affect them.
"Zealously affect" indicates
another person’s ambitions on your behalf.
In this case, their ambition is not to your
benefit.
“Exclude” speaks of social or spiritual
isolation.
They lock you out of their fellowship lest
your love for Christ affect or infect them.
This verse concerns those who would exclude
those from Christian fellowship who do not meet their personal standards!
They themselves are not converted and live by
law and they do not want the converted to be accepted into Christian
fellowship!
Galatians 4:18 But
it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I
am present with you.
To be zealous for Christ is good.
However, it should be a true zealousness and
not just dusted off and used when convenient.
Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom
I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
"Be formed" implies an outward
manifestation of inward belief.
What we believe on the inside shall manifest
itself on the outside.
If we trust in our works, it will be evident
by what we say and do.
If we trust Christ, that too will be evident
to those around us.
Has Christ been formed in you?
Galatians 4:20 I desire to be present with
you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
God’s will is the dominate factor in all
things!
However, even among Christians, our human
desires and God’s may not be on the same page.
Paul had some doubts about their Christian
commitment.
Galatians 4:21 Tell me, ye that desire to
be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
Let’s discuss your motivation.
Do you desire to be under the Law or the
Lawgiver?
Are you motivated by not wanting to go to the
Or, is your motivation to be close to God?
Galatians 4:22 For
it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a
freewoman.
Sarah and Hagar represent freedom and
slavery.
Each had a son.
To this day, slavery is still motivated by
hatred, and liberty is still motivated by love.
Galatians 4:23 But he who was of the
bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Unless God opens our eyes to see the sin of
the flesh, we never know the glory of the promise.
When we know the Truth, He will make us
free.
Christians are children of the promise.
The promise keeps us.
We do not keep the promise.
Christians are "born again"
according to the Promise of grace.
Galatians 4:24 Which things are an
allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar (Hagar).
We see this "allegory" at work in
the earth today.
Hagar’s covenant of the flesh is the basis of
Islamic terrorism.
Islam is bond up in the sin of rejecting
Christ’s love and the result is hatred.
Hagar’s covenant "gendereth,"
or gives birth, to bondage.
No matter the country of residence, Muslims
live in bondage, because of their beliefs.
Perhaps I should not meddle in international
politics, but to offer freedom to any person with telling them about Christ
will not change the situation!
We are free because
However, lately the U. S. Supreme Court has
rejected God.
Galatians 4:25 For this Agar (Hagar) is
mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem
which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
One covenant representing Hagar is symbolic
of
It is symbolic of the letter (works) of the
Law.
It leads to servitude, and bondage.
Hagar represents Mt Sinai in Arabia and
corresponds to earthly old
“Answereth” is a
term that pictures soldiers marching in strict order.
Row upon row of people are
now marching toward destruction without understanding the solution to their sin
is freedom in Christ.
Please notice that Mount Sinai is located in
Arabia, and not in the
In many cases, tradition and the Bible are at
odds.
Galatians 4:26 But
The New Jerusalem represents a place
where we will be “free.”
Christians will be totally free from the
slavery to sin.
Galatians 4:27 For
it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not;
break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for
the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
As you recall, Sarah was physically barren
for most of her married life.
Yet, at
the appropriate time she gave birth to the child of promise.
“Desolate” is a word that pictures a flock
that has been deserted by the shepherd, or a wife that has been rejected by her
husband.
It speaks of those drifting in sin without a
purpose or direction.
The “desolate” has many more children than
she, which has a husband.
More people live in separation from God than
live in union with Him.
Galatians 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac
was, are the children of promise.
Christians are children of the promise.
The promise is of everlasting life in
Christ.
Galatians 4:29 But
as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the
Spirit, even so it is now.
Using Isaac as an example, he was persecuted
by Ishmael.
Things have not changed.
Most Arabs live with a demonic spirit wanting
to persecute Jews!
Christ is their only relief.
Galatians 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son:
for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
This is allegory.
We do not cast out the sinner.
We cast out sin.
The object of Christianity is conversion of
the sinner.
Sin is an heir of God, but "born
again" former sinners are!
Galatians 4:31 So then,
brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
The phrase "born again" is not
allegorical.
It tells of the true standing of those who
have been called to Christ.
We are born of the bondwoman and born again
to the free.
Are you bond or free?