Galatians 4
4
From Slavery to Sonship
1Let me illustrate: As long as an heir is a minor, he’s not really much different than a servant, although he’s the master over all of them. 2For until the time appointed by the father, the child is under the domestic supervision of the guardians of the estate.
3So it is with us. When we were juveniles we were enslaved under the hostile spirits of the world. 4But when the time of fulfillment had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, # 4:4 Every child has a mother; but for Jesus to be “born of a woman” meant there was no human father, no male counterpart. Jesus’ true Father is the Father of Eternity. No other child has had a virgin birth, “born of a woman,” except him. All the rest of us are born from a father and a mother. born under the law. 5Yet all of this was so that he would redeem and set free those held hostage to the law so that we would receive our freedom and a full legal adoption as his children.
6And so that we would know that we are his true children, # 4:6 Or “because you are sons.” God released the Spirit of Sonship into our hearts—moving us to cry out intimately, “My Father! # 4:6 This is the Aramaic word Abba which means “my father.” Abba was borrowed by the Greeks and is found in the Greek manuscripts as well. My true Father!”
7Now we’re no longer living like slaves under the law, but we enjoy being God’s very own sons and daughters! And because we’re his, we can access everything our Father has—for we are heirs because of what God has done!
8Before we knew God as our Father, we were unwitting servants to the powers that be, which are nothing compared to God. 9But now that we truly know him and are intimately known by him, why would we for a moment consider turning back to those weak and feeble principles of religion, as though we were still subject to them?
10Why would we want to scrupulously observe rituals like special days, # 4:10 Or “Sabbaths.” There is no requirement for gentiles to become like Jews and observe Jewish ordinances in order to draw closer to God. Our approach to God is always on the basis of grace and faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath. celebrations of the new moon, annual festivals, and sacred years? # 4:10 These terms could also apply to following astrological signs. 11I’m so alarmed about you that I’m beginning to wonder if my labor in ministry among you was a waste of time!
Paul’s Personal Appeal
12Beloved ones, I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong.
13You are well aware that the reason I stayed among you to preach the good news was because of the poor state of my health. # 4:13 Paul’s ministry in Antioch began when he became sick and had to delay his missionary journey to other regions. He may have been afflicted with an illness, or an ophthalmic disorder that was prevalent in the region. The disorder can cause one to have a repugnant appearance. Other scholars think he was simply very ill as a result of his treatment by his enemies on his first missionary journey. Still the Galatians did not reject him; instead they welcomed him with open arms, and his gospel message with open hearts. 14And yet you were so kind to me and did not despise me in my weakness, # 4:14 The Aramaic word can also mean “sickness.” even though my physical condition put you through an ordeal while I was with you.
Actually, you received me and cared for me as though I were an angel from God, as you would have cared for Jesus Christ himself! 15Some of you were even willing, if it were possible, to pluck out your own eyes to replace mine! Where is that kindhearted and free spirit now? 16Have I really become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
17Can’t you see what these false teachers # 4:17 Or “whispering enemies.” are doing? They want to win you over so you will side with them. They want you divided from me so you will follow only them. Would you call that integrity? 18Isn’t it better to seek excellence and integrity always, and not just only when I’m with you?
19You are my dear children, but I agonize in spiritual “labor pains” once again, until the Anointed One will be fully formed in your hearts! 20How I wish I could be there in person and change my tone toward you, for I am truly dumbfounded over what you are doing!
An Old Testament Allegory
21-22Tell me, do you want to go back to living strictly by the law? Haven’t you ever listened to what the law really says? Have you forgotten that Abraham had two sons; one by the slave girl, and the other by the freewoman? # 4:21–22 See Gen. 16:15; 21:2.
23Ishmael, the son of the slave girl, was born of the natural realm. But Isaac, the son of the freewoman, was born supernaturally by the Spirit—a child of the promise of God! 24These two women and their sons express an allegory and become symbols of two covenants. The first covenant was born on Mount Sinai, birthing children into slavery—children born to Hagar. 25For “Hagar” represents the law given at Mount Sinai in Arabia. The “Hagar” metaphor corresponds to the earthly Jerusalem of today who are currently in bondage.
26In contrast, there is a heavenly Jerusalem above us, which is our true “mother.” She is the freewoman, birthing children into freedom! # 4:26 Paul is showing that the law is a system of works that brings bondage and that the promise is a system of grace that brings true freedom. 27For it is written:
“Burst forth with gladness,
rejoice, O barren woman with no children,
break through with the shouts of joy and jubilee,
for you are about to give birth!
The one who was once considered desolate and barren
now has more children than the one who has a husband!” # 4:27 See Isa. 54:1.
28Dear friends, # 4:28 Or “brothers.” just like Isaac, we’re now the true children who inherit the kingdom promises. # 4:28 Or “royal proclamation.” 29And just as the son of the natural world at that time harassed the son born of the power of the Holy Spirit, so it is today. 30And what does the Scripture tell us to do?
“Expel the slave mother with her son! # 4:30 See Gen. 21:10. This is showing that the two “sons” are not meant to live together. You cannot mingle law and grace, for only grace is based upon the promise of new life.
The son of the slave woman will not be a true heir—
for the true heir of the promises is the son of the freewoman.” # 4:30 See Gen. 21:10–12; John 8:35.
31It’s now so obvious! We’re not the children of the slave woman; we’re the supernatural sons of the freewoman—sons of grace!
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Galatians 4: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationGalatians 4
4
1Children who are under age are no better off than slaves, even though everything their parents own will some day be theirs. 2This is because children are placed in the care of guardians and teachers until the time their parents have set. 3That is how it was with us. We were like children ruled by the powers of this world.
4But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law, 5so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God's children.#Ro 8.15-17. 6Now that we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And his Spirit tells us that God is our Father. 7You are no longer slaves. You are God's children, and you will be given what he has promised.
Paul's concern for the Galatians
8Before you knew God, you were slaves of gods that are not real. 9But now you know God, or better still, God knows you. How can you turn back and become the slaves of those weak and pitiful powers?#4.9 powers: Spirits were thought to control human lives and were believed to be connected with the movements of the stars. 10You even celebrate certain days, months, seasons, and years. 11I am afraid I have wasted my time working with you.
12My friends, I beg you to be like me, just as I once tried to be like you. Did you ill-treat me 13when I first preached to you? No you didn't, even though you knew I had come there because I was sick. 14My illness must have caused you some trouble, but you didn't hate me or turn me away because of it. You welcomed me as though I were one of God's angels or even Christ Jesus himself. 15Where is that good feeling now? I am sure that if it had been possible, you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me. 16Am I now your enemy, just because I told you the truth?
17Those people may be paying you a lot of attention, but it isn't for your good. They only want to keep you away from me, so you will pay them a lot of attention. 18It is always good to give your attention to something worthwhile, even when I am not with you. 19My children, I am in terrible pain until Christ may be seen living in you. 20I wish I were with you now. Then I would not have to talk this way. You really have me puzzled.
Hagar and Sarah
21Some of you would like to be under the rule of the Law of Moses. But do you know what the Law says? 22In the Scriptures we learn that Abraham had two sons. The mother of one of them was a slave, while the mother of the other one had always been free.#Gn 16.15; Gn 21.2. 23The son of the slave woman was born in the usual way. But the son of the free woman was born because of God's promise.
24All this has another meaning as well. Each of the two women stands for one of the agreements God made with his people. Hagar, the slave woman, stands for the agreement that was made at Mount Sinai. Everyone born into her family is a slave. 25Hagar also stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia#4.25 Hagar also stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia: Some manuscripts have “Sinai is a mountain in Arabia”. This sentence would then be translated: “Sinai is a mountain in Arabia, and Hagar stands for the present city of Jerusalem.” and for the present city of Jerusalem. She#4.25 She: “Hagar” or “Jerusalem”. and her children are slaves.
26But our mother is the city of Jerusalem in heaven above, and she isn't a slave. 27The Scriptures say about her,#Is 54.1.
“You have never had children,
but now you can be glad.
You have never given birth,
but now you can shout.
Once you had no children,
but now you will have
more children than a woman
who has been married
for a long time.”
28My friends, you were born because of this promise, just as Isaac was. 29But the child who was born in the natural way made trouble for the child who was born because of the Spirit. The same thing is happening today.#Gn 21.9. 30The Scriptures say, “Get rid of the slave woman and her son! He won't be given anything. The son of the free woman will receive everything.”#Gn 21.10. 31My friends, we are children of the free woman and not of the slave.
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