Galatians 4

Galatians chapter 4

Historical Argument (Gal 4:1-11)

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;
[2] But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
[3] Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
[4] But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
[5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
[6] And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
[7] Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
[8] Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
[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?
[10] Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
[11] I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Adoption

As believers we enter the body through regeneration. The phrase “that we might receive the adoption of sons.” does not carry the same meaning as that of a homeless child being brought into someone’s family. On the contrary, we are in God’s family the instant we believe; however, it does carry the meaning of “son placing”. It means to place as an adult son. We are not like children who need rules and regulations to control and protect them; but sons who have the privileges and standing of adults before God.

Paul fully understood Roman culture as did the Galatians and he is using the idea of “son placing” to communicate the deeper truths of grace and liberty. No matter how wealthy the father may have been, the infant child could not enjoy that wealth. In the Roman world the children of wealthy parents were cared for by slaves. No matter who the father was the child was still under the supervision of a servant. The child was commanded by the servant and the servant was commanded by the father. However, when the child reached a certain age the father presented him as a son. He was no longer a child but a son who had all of the privileges of an adult.

This was the spiritual condition of the Jews under the age of Law. The Law was the guardian that disciplined the nation and prepared it for the coming of Christ. Remember Galatians 3:23-25
[23] But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
[24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
[25] But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

The word schoolmaster may be interpreted as a “Pedagogue” which means a child conductor. When the Judaizers were leading the Galatians back to Law, they were bringing them back under a schoolmaster. They were moving back into spiritual infancy and immaturity.

Paul states that the Jews were, like little children, “in bondage under the elements of the world”. The word ‘elements’ means the basic principles or the ABC’s. For fifteen centuries the Jews had been in the Kindergarten of their spiritual experience, learning their ABC’s so that they would be ready when Christ came. After this they would get the full revelation from Christ the “α and Ω” the beginning and the end. Legalism therefore, is not a step forward to maturity it is a step backward into childhood

The phrase “But when the fulness of the time was come” refers to the time when the world was providentially ready for the birth of the Saviour. From a historical point of view the Roman Empire helped to prepare the world for His coming. Roads connected city with city and with ultimately with Rome. The Pax Romana (Roman Peace) existed that brought relative peace to the ‘civilized’ world. Christ’s birth, at this time, was not an accident; it was an appointment.

Under the Law the Jews were mere children. However, under Grace the believer is an adult son with standing in God’s family.

The Galatians were abandoning their liberty in Christ and going back into bondage. They were dropping out of the school of grace and enrolling in the kindergarten of Law. They were destroying all the good work that the Lord had done in them through Paul.

The phrase “the weak and beggarly elements” tells us the extent of their regression. They were giving up the power of the gospel for the weakness of the Law, and the wealth of the gospel for the poverty of Law.

The New Testament makes it clear that Christians are not to legislate religious observances for each other (Romans 14:4-13). If someone thinks he is saving his soul, or automatically growing in grace, because of a religious observance, then he is guilty of legalism.

The Sentimental Argument (Gal 4:12-18)

[12] Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
[13] Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
[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.
[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.
[16] Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
[17] They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.
[18] But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

Up until this point Paul had rebuked the Galatians for following the Judaizers. In fact Paul was faithful to tell them their faults. We read in Proverbs 26:6

Paul had given them the truth but the Judaizers had lied to them. However, their flesh was infatuated with the Judaizers and they were led away by their fascinating stories.

Now Paul changes his approach and reminds them of the blessing they had in Christ, their joy and their love. Bible student often wish Paul had been more specific about the events he is referring to. We know that when Paul originally visited them he was suffering from some physical affliction. Some believe it was a problem with his eyes or perhaps his sight. “If it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me”. This would suggest a problem with his eyes. We do not have absolute proof however. One thing is clear though; these people had such love for Paul that they would have done anything to help him.

Paul wanted to know what had happened to that love. He knew of course that the Judaizers had stolen the love that they had shown him. They desired their worship and praise. They did not seek to give God the glory. They were selfish and ruthless in their use of the people. A true man of God will never seek attention for himself. He will never rob God of the glory and he will be characterized by a selfless nature. He will care about others more than himself. Such was Paul and, hopefully, you and I.

We live in a world where people do not want truth, they want experience. They want instant gratification. It is the “McDonalds” approach to everything - I want it, I want it cheap and I want it now. This is also evident in the Church. Believers want instant maturity and instant results. But those of us who are a little bit older and perhaps a little bit more mature, know that maturity only comes through the “school of the Holy Spirit or the school of hard knocks”. It takes time, pain, sorrow, love, joy and peace etc to mature us. I am sorry but there is no instant fix. Unfortunately, the Judaizers had convinced the Galatians that there was some “open Sesame” solution and they bought into it.

The Allegorical Argument (Gal 4:19-31)

[19] My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
[20] I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
[21] Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
[22] For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
[23] But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
[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.
[25] For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
[26] But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
[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.
[28] Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
[29] But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
[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.
[31] So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

What is an allegory? In an allegory, persons and actions represent hidden meanings, so that the narrative can be read on two levels; the literal and the symbolic. But be careful with this! We must have the scriptures permission to do this or we could end up spiritualizing the whole of scripture and making it mean anything. Such is the case today with Covenant Theology that makes the Church the spiritual Israel. Paul makes it clear that we can do this here by stating, “which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.” So let’s examine what this allegory means.

We read the actually story of Hagar back in Genesis ch. 16

We also read the story of Isaac’s birth. In Genesis ch. 21

What are the spiritual truths contained in the allegory? If we begin with the two sons Isaac and Ishmael. This illustrates the two births; the physical birth that makes us sinners and the spiritual birth that makes us children of God.

• Ishmael was the result of Abraham and Sarah’s unbelief - he was the consequence of their sin. They were deceived into thinking that God needed help to keep His promise. They were getting old and beyond child bearing age so they believed that God wanted Abraham to take Hagar as a wife and produce a son from her. But God needed Abraham and Sarah to become old to show that life could come from that which was dead. Their bodies were dead in terms of reproduction. You see, God was creating a type of Christ from their lives that would indicate Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. God was going to do the impossible to prove to all that by faith all things are possible.

• Ishmael is a picture of our flesh – it is sinful and unruly. If you read the whole story you will see that Ishmael mocked Isaac and that Hagar could not control him. This is the flesh. Nothing can control it. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:6. There was no law strong enough either to change or control Ishmael. This is true of our flesh. It has been said that “the old nature knows no law and the new nature needs no law”. The Judaizers taught that Law made the believer more spiritual, but Paul makes it clear that the Law only releases the opposition of the flesh and a conflict within a believer ensues.

Isaac, however, is a picture of the new, spiritual nature.

• He was born by God’s power. We know that Isaac was the child of promise. His father had faith and his mother was shown grace by God, so Isaac was the result of   “by grace…through faith”.
• He brought joy.  The name Isaac means laughter and he brought great joy to his parents. Salvation is a source of great joy to a believer and to God Himself.
• He grew and was weaned. Salvation is only the beginning. Believers must grow in grace. We must put aside the ‘toys’ of childhood and take up the ‘tools’ of the mature believer. The child does not enjoy being weaned because it wants the mother’s milk; however, adulthood depends upon the weaning process. Move from the milk to the meat.
• He was persecuted. Ishmael caused problems for Isaac. You know before Isaac was born Ishmael didn’t create any problems. Such is the flesh. Before conversion it has free reign and has no opposition. However when we find salvation the opposition begins and a conflict between flesh and spirit ensues.

We have seen that Ishmael and Isaac are representing the flesh and the spirit but what about Hagar and Sarah? Well Hagar is a picture of the Law and Sarah is a picture of Grace. Let’s consider Hagar.

• Hagar was Abraham’s second wife. God did not begin with Hagar, He began with Sarah. As far as God’s dealing with men are concerned He began with Grace. In the Garden of Eden God provided for Adam and Eve by Grace. He did not give them Laws to keep as a way of redemption once they had sinned; on the contrary, He gave them the gracious promise of the Redeemer – “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15. In God’s dealing with Israel too, He began with Grace and not Law. His covenant with Abraham was of Grace. When God delivered Israel from Egypt it was on the basis of Grace and not Law. The Law had not yet been given.  Like Hagar, Abraham’s second wife, the Law was added. Hagar performed a function temporarily, and then moved off the scene, just as the Law performed a special function and then was taken away.
• Hagar was a Slave. She is repeatedly referred to as the ‘bondmaid’ or ‘bondwoman’. Sarah; however was a ‘freewoman’ and therefore, her position was one of liberty. But Hagar, even though she was married to Abraham, was still a servant. Likewise the Law also was a servant. “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.” Galatians3:19 The Law served as a mirror to reveal men’s sins and a monitor to control men and ultimately to lead to Christ. The Law, however, was never meant to be a mother just as Hagar was never meant to be a mother.
• Hagar was not meant to bear a child. Abraham’s marriage to Hagar was out of the will of God. It was the result of Abraham and Sarah’s unbelief and impatience. Hagar wanted to do what only Sarah could do. The Law cannot give life, or righteousness, or the gift of the spirit, or a spiritual inheritance. The Judaizers were trying to make Hagar a mother again. They wanted the Law to bring life but it could not. No amount of religion or legislation can give the dead sinner life or mature those who believe. Only Christ can do these things.
• Hagar gave birth to a slave. Whoever chooses to live under the Law will always remain in bondage. They become slaves. But those who choose Sarah will enjoy liberty and grow to maturity in the Lord. God wants all His children to be free.
• Hagar was cast out (Genesis 21:9,10).

It is impossible for Law and Grace to compromise and to live together. God did not ask Hagar and Ishmael to make occasional visits to Abraham’s household. They were cast out permanently. The Judaizers were trying to tell the Galatians that they could reconcile Sarah and Hagar so that they could coexist in the believer’s life. This is not possible; if we put ourselves under Law then we cannot remain under God’s grace.

• Hagar was not married again. God never gave the Law to any other nation or people including the Church. For the Judaizers to impose Law upon the Galatian Christians was to oppose the very plan of God. From a human point of view it might seem cruel that God commanded Abraham to send away his own son Ishmael. But it was the only solution to the problem, for the ‘wild man’ could not live with the child of promise.

Christians, like Isaac, are the children of promise by grace. The covenant of grace, pictured by Sarah, is our spiritual mother. The Law and the old nature, pictured by Hagar and Ishmael, want to persecute us and bring us into bondage.  How can this problem be solved?

• We can try to change them. This will always fail because we cannot change either the Law or the old nature. God did not try to change Hagar or Ishmael. He did not try to educate them or force them to change; neither can you or I change our flesh or the Law.
• We can try to compromise with them. This did not work in Abraham’s home and it certainly won’t work for us. The Galatians were trying to effect such a compromise, but it was only gradually leading them into bondage. False teachers tell us today, “don’t abandon Christ; simply move into a deeper Christian life by practicing the Law along with your faith in Christ.” Invite Hagar and Ishmael back into your home again. But this is the path back into slavery.
• We can cast them out.  This is what we must do! The Christian cannot be under grace and Law simultaneously. It is Christ plus nothing for salvation and Christ plus nothing for our walk. We do not condone hyper grace where a believer is free to sin. Certainly not! Liberty in Christ does not give us license to sin. The Christian is controlled internally by trusting in God and being full of the Holy Spirit.

Christian who follow Laws or rules or regulations to generate growth in their lives are greatly deceived. Only God, through a work of grace in the life can generate growth. Let us be like faithful Abraham and believe God in our lives. Do not listen to the Judaizers of today who want you to fill pews and follow a religious system. Paul challenged them at every opportunity but unfortunately the Galatians did not. The Galatian churches eventually ceased to exist. When we yield to the legalists, we too, will loose all power in our lives and we will simply fade away.

tags: galatians  

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