Galatians, #5 Theological Argument- The Failures of Legalism, Part 2 Galatians 4:1-31

Galatians, #5: Theological Argument- The Failures of Legalism, Part 2  Remember the Proposition: Justification is by faith in Jesus Christ rather than in Circumcision and the keeping of the Law of Moses.

Galatians, #5: Theological Argument- The Failures of Legalism, Part 2  Remember also where we’ve been: Chapter 1- the distortion/desertion of the Galatian churches & Paul’s biographical argument of independent revelation Chapter 2- the conclusion of his independent revelation argument (including the hypocrisy of Peter) Chapter 3- the beginning of the theological argument regarding the failures of legalism (reception of Spirit; blessings of Abraham apart from Law) Chapter 4- conclusion of theological argument

Galatians, #5: Theological Argument- The Failures of Legalism, Part 2  That’s where we’ve been, this is where we’re headed: I. Heirs/Children vs. Slaves, 4:1-11 II. Personal Appeal of Paul, 4:12-20 III. Point from Allegory, 4:21-31

Galatians, #5: Theological Argument- The Failures of Legalism, Part 2  Section 1- Heirs/Children vs. Slaves, 4:1-11 First, understand the household: v.1a “As long as the heir is a child….” then v.1b he is not any different than a slave v.1c even though he is “owner of everything”. Second, understand the time element: v.2 he is under “guardians & managers, until the date set by the father.”

Galatians, #5: Theological Argument- The Failures of Legalism, Part 2  Section 1- Heirs/Children vs. Slaves, 4:1-11 Third, let’s get the point: v.3a “So also we”- making direct correlation v.3b “while we were children” no different from slaves, v.3c “were in bondage” v.3d “to the elemental things of the world” What do you suppose that means? They were in bondage as slaves, even though children of the Father, to the Law!

Galatians, #5: Theological Argument- The Failures of Legalism, Part 2  Section 1- Heirs/Children vs. Slaves, 4:1-11 But, there is that time element introduced in v.2b that must be remembered. So, v.4a “When the fullness of time came….” -as determined by “the father” v.2b -it represents completeness, which implies God’s providential control of all things! cf. Mark 1:15 & Heb.9:26 v.4b-7 “God sent forth His Son…” to make Sons & Heirs by redemption those who were formerly enslaved to the Law!

Galatians, #5: Theological Argument- The Failures of Legalism, Part 2  Section 1- Heirs/Children vs. Slaves, 4:1-11 But despite this liberation, “You’ve turned back!” -note the time element again, v.8a > vv.1-2 -v.9 “you desire to be enslaved all over again?” -Here’s the evidence of it, v.10. -Paul said, “I fear for you…” v.11 > cf. 5:4. Therefore….

Galatians, #5: Theological Argument- The Failures of Legalism, Part 2  Section 2- Personal Appeal, 4:12-20 Please note: -the complete change of tone, v.12 > 1:6-8 3:1,3 -Paul’s personal connection with the Galatian brethren: >they didn’t despise his illness, vv >they would have “plucked out your eyes and given them to me” v.15 Therefore, -Has all that changed because I now tell you unflattering truth? v.16 Now enemies?

Galatians, #5: Theological Argument- The Failures of Legalism, Part 2  Section 2- Personal Appeal, 4:12-20 The Opposition seeks you: eagerly, but not commendably, vv But, I’m still laboring with/for you, v.19 > Eph.4:13. Therefore, let me change my tone, v.20.

Galatians, #5: Theological Argument- The Failures of Legalism, Part 2  Section 3- Allegorical Appeal, 4:21-31 Allegory is defined as “a symbolic representation” So, 1. What are the symbols of the story? And 2. What do they represent?

Galatians, #5: Theological Argument- The Failures of Legalism, Part 2  Section 3- Allegorical Appeal, 4:21-31 The Symbols are: (vv.22-23) -The Two Sons of Abraham, and -The Two Mothers of these Sons. What do they Represent? (vv.24-30) The Two Mothers represent Two Covenants: -Hagar: children are slaves > Present Jerusalem = Judaistic Teaching -Sarah: children of promise > Jerusalem Above = True Christianity

Galatians, #5: Theological Argument- The Failures of Legalism, Part 2  Section 3- Allegorical Appeal, 4:21-31 So the point is…. v.31 “We are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.” Meaning, 5:1 “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

Galatians, #5: Theological Argument- The Failures of Legalism, Part 2 Conclusions:  The Galatians nor we can be justified by nothing but the blood of Jesus Christ through faithful obedience to His Word, 3:  While we may not now be in slavery to the Law of Moses, we can be enslaved to sin!  The solution to both is freedom through Jesus Christ! 5:1