Galatianschapter 4
31 verses · BSBGalatians book hub →
A.From Minor to Son: The Spirit Cries Abbavv. 1-7
1 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything. 2 He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father. 3 So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. 4 But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.
B.Back to the Weak and Beggarly Calendarvv. 8-11
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain.
C.You Would Have Torn Out Your Eyes for Mevv. 12-20
12 I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. 13 You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14 And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself. 15 What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. 18 Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you. 19 My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.
D.Hagar and Sarah: Two Covenants, Two Citiesvv. 21-31
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. 24 These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
Chapter summary
When we were children, we were in bondage under the elements of the world; but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them under the law.
Read the rest, the context and the outline ▾Show less ▴
Chapter summary
When we were children, we were in bondage under the elements of the world; but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them under the law.
Read the rest, the context and the outline ▾Show less ▴
When we were children, we were in bondage under the elements of the world; but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them under the law. Ye are no more servants, but sons; and if sons, then heirs. Paul grieves their relapse into days, months, times, years. The allegory of Hagar and Sarah. The children of the promise are free. Calvin reads the chapter as sonship defended against the slavery of ritual works.
Drawn from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory, Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary, John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament and John Calvin, Commentaries.
Context
Epistle · Paul — Galatians overview
- A. 1–7 From Minor to Son: The Spirit Cries Abba
- B. 8–11 Back to the Weak and Beggarly Calendar
- C. 12–20 You Would Have Torn Out Your Eyes for Me
- D. 21–31 Hagar and Sarah: Two Covenants, Two Cities
Top cross-references8 chapters ▾
Romans 86 verses
- Romans 8:3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,
- Romans 8:9You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
- Romans 8:13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
- Romans 8:15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
- Romans 8:16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
- Romans 8:29For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
- Read Romans 8 →
Galatians 34 verses
- Galatians 3:3Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?
- Galatians 3:10All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
- Galatians 3:26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
- Galatians 3:29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
- Read Galatians 3 →
Genesis 213 verses
- Genesis 21:1Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised.
- Genesis 21:9But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son,
- Genesis 21:10and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!”
- Read Genesis 21 →
Colossians 23 verses
- Colossians 2:8See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.
- Colossians 2:16Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath.
- Colossians 2:20If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations:
- Read Colossians 2 →
4 more chapters this one speaks with
John 83 verses
- John 8:35A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever.
- John 8:36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
- John 8:45But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!
- Read John 8 →
Galatians 53 verses
- Galatians 5:1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.
- Galatians 5:11Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
- Galatians 5:13For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
- Read Galatians 5 →
Galatians 42 verses
- Galatians 4:9But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
- Galatians 4:23His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.
- Read Galatians 4 →
Romans 52 verses
- Romans 5:2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
- Romans 5:5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
- Read Romans 5 →
Cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info.