No Longer Bound Galatians 4:1-16
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. 8 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. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
Paul explains the difference between a man’s duties, and a child’s reliance on their parents. The two have different responsibilities. The contrast is a believer’s life before salvation and after salvation. (Children and servant- adults and Sons.)
Galatians 4:1NLT Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had.
The word child or young children refers to someone too young to talk, a minor, spiritually and intellectually not ready for privileges or responsibilities of adulthood.
When a person is born again (Born from above) he or she has everything spiritually, although their inheritance is more than they can understand or walk in. (You have to learn how to walk in what’s yours.)
Spiritual growth takes time. Some learn their rights and authority faster than others.
Galatians 4:2NLT They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set.
These children had guardians over them. These guardians managed their property and affairs until they came of age.
Galatians 4:3NLT And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.
Before Christ, we were slaves to the earthly elements. Touch, taste, see etc. but now we follow the King.
Colossians 2:8NLT Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
Galatians 4:4NLT But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.
Just as an earthly father set forth his son as he comes of age, God sent forth His Son just in the exact time.
Verse 4…Born of a woman, subject to the law. Jesus related in every point toward humanity and toward mankind’s laws.
Galatians 4:5NLT God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.
Listen to John 1:12NLT But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
Every living person was guilty living under the law. God through His Son adopted us as His very own children. (We have rights as God’s children.)
Matthew 20:28NLT For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
To adopt means to bring someone from another offspring into another family- the family of God. (Forever changed!)
Galatians 4:6NLT And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”
The Spirit of His Son into our Hearts! Romans 8:15NLT So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
Galatians 4:7NLT Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Romans 8:16-17NLT For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Galatians 4:8NLT Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist.
Those who aren’t born again are salves to the vain and empty.
Galatians 4:9NLT So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?
Paul is saying, don’t listen to false teachers; don’t follow the dictates of the flesh anymore. Stop allowing the inferior to control you!
John 6:63NLT The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Galatians 4:10-12NLT You are trying to earn favor with God by observing certain days or months or seasons or years. 11 I fear for you. Perhaps all my hard work with you was for nothing. 12 Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles—free from those laws. You did not mistreat me when I first preached to you.
How is favor earned? By walking by faith in Jesus Christ.
Verse 12 Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things,
Paul say’s in verse 12b, You did not mistreat me when I first preached to you.
Paul is saying, “though you persecuted me, I’m not harmed; I enthusiastically preach the gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere I go!”
Galatians 4:13-14NLT Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News. 14 But even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself.
Some think the illness Paul refers to was malaria; he could have contracted in the coastal lowlands of Pamphylia. That might be why Paul didn’t preach at Perga. The symptoms of malaria come and go, so Paul could preach in-between bouts of fever.
Paul commended these Galatians for receiving him in spite of his illness. (As an angel.)
Matthew 18:5-6NLT “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. 6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Galatians 4: 15-16NLT Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible. 16 Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?
What will you do with the truth?
Some who once followed Paul’s message (the gospel) have now shipwrecked their faith, and became enemies of the cross.
Galatians 4:17NLT Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them.
Judaizers- False teachers, legalism, works, man-made rules, and laws bring bondage upon bondage!
Galatians 4:18NLT If someone is eager to do good things for you, that’s all right; but let them do it all the time, not just when I’m with you.
Paul encourages these Galatians to have the same zeal, passion and drive when he’s away from them, as they did when he was there. (Always be ablaze)
Prayer.
