Compare the Jerusalem Talmud [Tractatu Succa, cap. Only here in Paul. Abraham—whose sons ye wish to be (compare Ro 9:7-9). differeth nothing, &c.—that is, has no more freedom than a slave (so the Greek for "servant" means). My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you. Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? and—The oldest manuscripts read, "For she is in bondage." even so it is now—(Ga 5:11; 6:12, 17; Ac 9:29; 13:45, 49, 50; 14:1, 2, 19; 17:5, 13; 18:5, 6). They could not fully understand the meaning of the law as given by Moses. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? Galatians 4 Commentary; BETHANY BIBLE - Greg Allen. Paul Opposes Peter - But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. i. The cities in Acts 14:21 are in Galatia. Ye despised not (through natural pride), nor rejected (through spiritual pride), but received me," &c. "Temptation does not mean here, as we now use the word, tendency to an evil habit, but BODILY TRIAL. But if arising from faith in Christ, they are evangelical. Grand Rapids: Wm. beggarly—contrasted with the riches of the inheritance of believers in Christ (Eph 1:18). For what a man loves most, and cares most for, that is his god: some have their riches for their god, some their pleasures, and some their lusts. He was in doubt as to their state, and was anxious to know the result of their present delusions. again—a second time. That he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord … After his usual greeting,‘I pray that you will have *grace and *peace’, Paul did not continue withgentle, loving words as he always did in his other letters. My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you. Paul, by anticipation, meets this objection by saying, Ye are sons, therefore ye need not be as children (Ga 4:1) under the tutorship of the law, as being already in the free state of "sons" of God by faith in Christ (Ga 3:26), no longer in your nonage (as "children," Ga 4:1). History, if properly understood contains in its complicated phenomena, simple and continually recurring divine laws. Isaiah speaks primarily of Israel's restoration after her long-continued calamities; but his language is framed by the Holy Spirit so as to reach beyond this to the spiritual Zion: including not only the Jews, the natural descendants of Abraham and children of the law, but also the Gentiles. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1981. Though the Galatians, as Gentiles, had never been under the Mosaic yoke, yet they had been under "the elements of the world" (Ga 4:3): the common designation for the Jewish and Gentile systems alike, in contrast to the Gospel (however superior the Jewish was to the Gentile). The sloppy “s… So in Ac 7:12. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. The two covenants of works and grace, and legal and evangelical professors, are shadowed forth. Christians must not forbear speaking the truth, for fear of offending others. Literally, The letters of the alphabet (Heb 5:12). "Sabbaths, new moons, and set feasts" (1Ch 23:31; 2Ch 31:3), answer to "days, months, times." New Century Bible Commentary. At the gloomy scene of the giving of the Law, he learned to appreciate, by contrast, the grace of the Gospel, and so to cast off all his past legal dependencies. 11. lest—Greek, "lest haply." "The Church has its own ages" [Bengel]. Haraut, the traveller, says that to this day the Arabians call Sinai, "Hadschar," that is, Hagar, meaning a rock or stone. You at that time did me no wrong; "ye did not despise my temptation in the flesh" (Ga 4:14): nay, you "received me as an angel of God." they would exclude you—"They wish to shut you out" from the kingdom of God (that is, they wish to persuade you that as uncircumcised Gentiles, you are shut out from it), "that ye may zealously court them," that is, become circumcised, as zealous followers of themselves. 4:21-27 The difference between believers who rested in Christ only, and those who trusted in the law, is explained by the histories of Isaac and Ishmael. From these verses see the wonders of Divine love and mercy; particularly of God the Father, in sending his Son into the world to redeem and save us; of the Son of God, in submitting so low, and suffering so much for us; and of the Holy Spirit, in condescending to dwell in the hearts of believers, for such gracious purposes. And many ignorantly worship a god of their own making; a god made all of mercy and no justice. Galatians 4:1. You once thought yourselves happy in receiving the gospel; have you now reason to think otherwise? 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? If I could add a chapter it would be entitled, “The Hermeneutics of Heresy.” (Hermeneutics is the method by which the Bible is interpreted.) For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. Herein God makes of sons of men sons of God, inasmuch as God made of the Son of God the Son of man [Augustine on Psalm 52]. not well—not in a good way, or for a good end. Both systems consisted in outward worship and cleaved to sensible forms. Christ be formed in you—that you may live nothing but Christ, and think nothing but Christ (Ga 2:20), and glory in nothing but Him, and His death, resurrection, and righteousness (Php 3:8-10; Col 1:27). And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? Even the Gentiles were under "bondage," and in a state of discipline suitable to nonage, till Christ came as the Emancipator. Galatia was part of the country that we now call Turkey. The history of the elect people, like their legal ordinances, had, besides the literal, a typical meaning (compare 1Co 10:1-4; 15:45, 47; Re 11:8). one from—that is, taking his origin from Mount Sinai. The Father was not begotten: the Son is begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Son. We learn the happier state of Christians under the gospel dispensation. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. The state of the "child" (Ga 4:1) is weak, as not having attained manhood; "beggarly," as not having attained the inheritance. "New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God" (Re 3:12; 21:2). having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Let us rest our souls on the Scriptures, and by a gospel hope and cheerful obedience, show that our conversation and treasure are indeed in heaven. What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he … 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? Being the older by natural birth, he haughtily prided himself above him that was born by promise: as Cain hated Abel's piety. Galatians 4 Commentary; JOSEPH BEET. Remember Paul’s point from Galatians 1. The same verb is used of the Father's sending forth the Spirit (Ga 4:6). Harold Bussell has written a very excellent book entitled, Unholy Devotion: Why Cults Lure Christians. Paul was familiar with the district of Sinai in Arabia (Ga 1:17), having gone thither after his conversion. Yet it is not his way, not his spirit to do so; hence he is never at rest, till he returns to his dependence on Christ again. The Spirit of God's only Begotten Son in your hearts, sent from, and leading you to cry to, the Father, attests your sonship by adoption: for the Spirit is the "earnest of your inheritance" (Ro 8:15, 16; Eph 1:13). So then, brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free. Although by nature children of wrath and disobedience, they become by grace children of love, and partake of the nature of the children of God; for he will have all his children resemble him. Galatians 4:8-10 Paul therefore reproveth the Galatians, who from Translate, "For this word, Hagar, is (imports) Mount Sinai in Arabia (that is, among the Arabians—in the Arabian tongue)." 18. good to be zealously affected—rather, to correspond to "zealously court" in Ga 4:18, "to be zealously courted." children of promise—not children after the flesh, but through the promise (Ga 4:23, 29, 31). He was not pleasedwith them. He had *preached the *good news about Jesus and many people becameChristians. Galatians 4:8-20 A Preacher's Fears for a Backsliding Church; BIBLE HUB Before they became Christians, they had triedto obey all of the very strict laws of M… His sickness was probably the same as recurred more violently afterward, "the thorn in the flesh" (2Co 12:7), which also was overruled to good (2Co 12:9, 10), as the "infirmity of the flesh" here. Yet theirs, like yours, was a burdensome yoke; how then is it ye wish to resume the yoke after that God has transferred both Jews and Gentiles to a free service? Both were in bondage to the elements of sense, as though these could give the justification and sanctification which the inner and spiritual power of God alone could bestow. him … born after the Spirit—The language, though referring primarily to Isaac, born in a spiritual way (namely, by the promise or word of God, rendered by His Spirit efficient out of the course of nature, in making Sarah fruitful in old age), is so framed as especially to refer to believers justified by Gospel grace through faith, as opposed to carnal men, Judaizers, and legalists. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? [Grotius]. Galatians 4:4-7 But Christ came to redeem those that were under the law, and to give both to Jew and Gentile the adoption, and consequently the freedom, of sons. Vincent's Word Studies. 1 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although … Not merely as Grotius and Alford explain, "Born subject to the law as a Jew." Wherefore—Conclusion inferred from Ga 4:4-6. Let us labour to be accepted of God. free—as Sarah was; opposed to "she is in bondage" (Ga 4:25). I stand in doubt of you—rather, "I am perplexed about you," namely, how to deal with you, what kind of words to use, gentle or severe, to bring you back to the right path. In Joh 8:35, 36, Jesus refers to this. The Jews persecuted Paul, not for preaching Christianity in opposition to heathenism, but for preaching it as distinct from Judaism. The people called Galatianslived in part of the country that we now call Turkey. ", Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? I do not find fault with them for zealously courting you, nor with you for being zealously courted: provided it be "in a good cause" (translate so), "it is a good thing" (1Co 9:20-23). Ga 4:1-31. His mocking was probably directed against Isaac's piety and faith in God's promises. Hagar and Sarah were apt emblems of the two different dispensations of the covenant. until the time appointed of the father—in His eternal purposes (Eph 1:9-11). Here, you can find book-by-book, chapter-by-chapter, and verse-by-verse commentary on the entire Bible (eventually). Speaking face to face is so much more effective towards loving persuasion than writing (2Jo 12; 3Jo 13, 14). Galatians Commentary. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. Get the free Bible Hub App! The heavenly Jerusalem, the true church from above, represented by Sarah, is in a state of freedom, and is the mother of all believers, who are born of the Holy Spirit. I travail in birth—that is, like a mother in pain till the birth of her child. Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. Compare "the set time" (Ps 102:13). Our childhood's lessons [Conybeare and Howson]. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he … thou—individualizing and applying the truth to each. heir of God through Christ—The oldest manuscripts read, "an heir through God." To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. For we are not "cast out" as Ishmael, but accepted as sons and heirs. Among men the eldest son is heir; but all God's children shall have the inheritance of eldest sons. The Same Subject Continued: Illustration of Our Subjection to the Law Only till Christ Came, from the Subjection of an Heir to His Guardian till He Is of Age. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Others may do so in my absence with my full approval, if only it be in a good cause, and if Christ be faithfully preached (Php 1:15-18). After having sufficiently maintained his point by argument, the apostle confirms and illustrates it by an inspired allegorical exposition of historical facts, containing in them general laws and types. God does nothing prematurely, but, foreseeing the end from the beginning, waits till all is ripe for the execution of His purpose. sent forth—Greek, "sent forth out of heaven from Himself" [Alford and Bengel]. The second covenant spirit is of liberty and freedom; not liberty to sin, but in and unto duty. This is the conclusion inferred from what precedes. They pretended affection, but they were not sincere and upright. The law itself sends you away from itself to Christ [Estius]. Galatians 3. These things are an allegory, wherein, beside the literal and historical sense of the words, the Spirit of God points out something further. lord of all—by title and virtual ownership (compare 1Co 3:21, 22). We must not be content because we have some good things in ourselves. This constitutes the significance of His circumcision, His being presented in the temple (Lu 2:21, 22, 27; compare Mt 5:17), and His baptism by John, when He said (Mt 3:15), "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.". zealously—zeal in proselytism was characteristic especially of the Jews, and so of Judaizers (Ga 1:14; Mt 23:15; Ro 10:2). To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. To regard the observance of certain days as in itself meritorious as a work, is alien to the free spirit of Christianity. "Receive as something destined or due" (Lu 23:41; 2Jo 8). Translate as Greek, "I could wish." Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem: In Galatians 1:18-19, Paul described a trip he made to Jerusalem three years after Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. 26. Sons and Heirs Through Christ. Compare with this verse, Joh 8:42; Isa 48:16. his—emphatical. thou barren—Jerusalem above: the spiritual Church of the Gospel, the fruit of "the promise," answering to Sarah, who bore not "after the flesh": as contrasted with the law, answering to Hagar, who was fruitful in the ordinary course of nature. Jerusalem … above—(Heb 12:22), "the heavenly Jerusalem." This every man must remember in his place and calling. 25. Then in Ga 4:16, he asks, "Have I then, since that time, become your enemy by telling you the truth?". under the elements—or "rudiments"; rudimentary religion teaching of a non-Christian character: the elementary lessons of outward things (literally, "of the [outward] world"); such as the legal ordinances mentioned, Ga 4:10 (Col 2:8, 20). 20. But what was there said literally, is here by inspiration expressed in its allegorical spiritual import, applying to the New Testament believer, who is antitypically "the son of the free woman." "We" better accords with Ga 4:26, "mother of us. for I bear you record, that, if. "It is because ye are sons that God sent forth" (the Greek requires this translation, not "hath sent forth") into OUR (so the oldest manuscripts read for "your," in English Version) hearts the Spirit of His son, crying, "Abba, Father" (Joh 1:12). For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 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