But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
but is under tutors and stewards till the time appointed of the father,
He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.
but he is under guardians and stewards until the period fixed by the father.
Galatians — Paul's gospel defended against a different gospel. Biography, then argument, then ethics — the Magna Carta of Christian liberty.
Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread — the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.
Voices5
(Chapter IV - 1, 2) However, I say that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, even though he is the Lord of all, but he is under guardians and managers until the appointed time by the father. This little heir, who is no different from a slave even though he is the Lord of all, is under guardians and managers until the appointed time by the father, represents the whole human race until the coming of Christ, and, to say more, until the end of the world.
Jerome· Commentary on Galatians, 420patristic
"Guardians and trustees" could be taken as the prophets, by whose words we were made ready, day by day, for the coming of the Savior, just as the law of Moses is described above as a custodian.… Or the phrase could be taken to refer to priests and princes, who then held power over the people and are now a reflection of God's purpose. People are correctly said to live under tutors and overseers when, having the spirit of fear, they have not yet deserved to receive the spirit of freedom and adoption.
Jerome· EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS 4.1-2, 420patristic
But is under tutors and governors,....
John Gill· Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748)reformed
But is under tutors - Επιτροπους· Guardians and governors; οικονομους· those who have the charge of the family. These words are nearly similar; but we may consider the first as executor, the last as the person who superintends the concerns of the family and estate till the heir become of age; such as we call trustee. Until the time appointed of the father - The time mentioned in the fathers will or testament.
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible, 1832evangelical
It is not, as in earthly inheritances, the death of the father, but our Father's sovereign will simply that makes us heirs. child--Greek, "one under age." differeth nothing, &c.--that is, has no more freedom than a slave (so the Greek for "servant" means).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown· Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871reformed
The verses this one reaches4
For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time will not be like the first.
