Galatians The Gospel and the Law Lesson 7 Slavery and Childhood Under Law Galatians 4:1-12 Page 30 1

What is the major theme in Galatians? THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PAUL Galatians: THE GOSPEL AND THE LAW “...knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” (Galatians 2:16) 2

From Chapter 3… Paul’s Argument Against the Law (3:1-5) – –How they received the Spirit and worked miracles - from works of the law or by hearing of faith? God’s Covenant With Abraham (3:6-25) – –The example of Abraham – faith, not works of the law – –The curse of the Law – no man was justified by the law – –The Promise – Christ, not the Law – –The purpose of the Law – to bring the Jews to Christ by faith All Nations, Jew and Gentile, are One in Christ by Faith (3:26-29) – –Baptism puts all in Christ – as children of God, Abraham's seed, and heirs of the promise 3

Read Galatians 4:1-7 1 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. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 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. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 4

Galatians 4:1-2 Slavery and Childhood Under Law Galatians 4:1-2 Jews boasted of being “children of God” Jews boasted of being “children of God” – –They contended that Gentiles were “slaves” to sin under whatever law they followed – –And, children enjoy a great advantage over slaves Paul contends that there is no advantage until children are mature enough to be entrusted with the master’s inheritance – –Until that time, they must be guided and disciplined by guardians and stewards 5

Galatians 4:3 Slavery and Childhood Under Law Galatians 4:3 Childhood is a time of ignorance and learning by trial and error; a time of making mistakes and changing direction – –The Jews were like minor children and the Gentiles like slaves – –Both were enslaved by the “elements of the world” [sinful practices] The Law of Moses was not the inheritance promised by God to Abraham and to his descendants 6

Galatians 4:4 Slavery and Childhood Under Law Galatians 4:4 Both Jews and Gentiles were in bondage to physical things under physical religions When the time was right, God sent His Son When the time was right, God sent His Son –Born of a woman; born under the law God had a plan and a timetable for providing spiritual maturity in Christ – –Eph. 1:4,5: “…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will…” 7

Galatians 4:4 God’s Plan Galatians 4:4 His plan: His Son would live sinless among men (1Pet. 2:21,22) His plan: His Son would be born of a woman – –His human body would provide a sacrifice of blood [life] in exchange for man’s life His plan: His Son would be born subject to the Law of Moses – –By keeping the Law perfectly, He would “condemn sin in His flesh” (Rom. 8:3). – –No man could there­after claim that sin was by compulsion and not by choice. 8

Galatians 4:4 God’s Timetable Galatians 4:4 His timetable: – –The moral discipline of the Law, the admonitions of the prophets, and the numerous afflictions that followed disobedient actions all contributed to­ward making some Jews “a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17) His timetable: – –Significant developments within the Roman Empire [e.g., peace, the use of Koine Greek, a good system of roads, etc.] proved advantageous to the spreading of the gospel among many nations 9

Galatians 4:5 God’s Purpose in His Plan Galatians 4:5 To redeem those under law [not just the law] – –“But that no one is justified by (the) law in the sight of God is evident” (Gal. 3:11). All “under law” were lost ! To finally bestow true sonship on all believers – –Jews and Gentiles alike had been relieved of their bondage and had been [fully] adopted [“taken into a special relationship” -- Webster] as mature and trusted sons into the “family business” of the kingdom of God. 10

Galatians 4:6-7 Slavery and Childhood Under Law Galatians 4:6-7 God sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of His children [those baptized, 3:22] – –The Spirit [through the word] gives us the confidence that God is “Abba [Arama­ic -- “Father”], “Father” [Greek -- pater] – –Then, we [Jew or Gentile] can confidently re­ spond, “Abba, Father,” Spiritual slaves (became) Spiritual sons (became) Spiritual heirs 11

Read Galatians 4: But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. 12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 12

Galatians 4:8-9 A Relapse Into Ignorance Galatians 4:8-9 Gentile nations had worshiped various gods in ignorance (Acts 17:30) But, ignorant idolaters had been privileged to know [approve/receive] God Now they had exchanged that treasure for “junk” [“weak and beggarly elements”] with no value at all – –They had swapped their freedom in Christ for the slavery of ignorant religion again -- “O foolish Galatians!” 13

Galatians 4:10-11 A Relapse Into Ignorance Galatians 4:10-11 They were again in bondage They were again in bondage Some had relapsed into – Some had relapsed into – –Observing days and months and seasons and years – –The numerous religious holy days and to the multitude of rituals associated with them He was “afraid” that the work he did among them was in vain – –Unless they turned again to the Lord, all of the hard work would be for nothing – –Very disappointing and frustrating to Paul 14

Galatians 4:12 A Relapse Into Ignorance Galatians 4:12 “Brethren, become like me…” “Brethren, become like me…” –In Christ, he was free from the law –Paul at one time had been like them – he knew what it meant to be without Christ Paul was not personally offended at them Paul was not personally offended at them – –It was not his own reputation but their salvation that mattered to him 15