Galatians 4 – Page 3 – Ministry of Grace Church

Category: Galatians 4

Galatians 4:11 – Hard Labor

Posted on December 6, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:11

¹¹I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

Truth to Learn

Someone was faithful and diligent in preaching the gospel to you when you got saved. You should be grateful to them and to God.

Behind the Words

“I am afraid” is translated from the Greek “phoboumai,” which is a verb form of the noun “phobos” (from which we get our English word phobia) meaning fear. The verb “phobouai” means to frighten, to terrify, to put in fear, or to cause to run away. This is a very strong word for Paul to have used implying a grave concern for the Christians in Galatia.

Some translations have rendered this as “I am afraid of you.” This phrase in the Greek only has a verb (I am afraid) and a direct object (you, plural). Hence, it could be interpreted as I fear you or I am afraid with respect to you. The latter interpretation seems more reasonable in the context of what Paul is telling the Galatian Christians.

The word “labored” is translated from a form of “kopiaō” meaning to be weary, worn-out, or faint. The use of this word implies that Paul previously put great effort into his ministry to the churches in Galatia.

Meaning Explained

Some would read this as Paul declaring his fear that his labor on the Galatians was a waste of his own time, which could have been put to use on someone else. This is not what he is saying at all. Paul’s concern is not for himself or the effort that he has expended; his concern is for the spiritual condition of the Christians in the churches in Galatia. He is saying he is concerned that, in spite of the effort he and others expended in getting the pure gospel message to the Galatians, they have allowed others to convince them of a false gospel.

Paul is more concerned for the spiritual welfare of these church members than he is for himself. He clearly believes them to be genuinely saved because he refers to them as “brethren” several times in this letter. This is a term of fellowship that he only uses with true members of the body of Christ.

The observance of Jewish rites and ritualistic practices, however, is so counter to what true faith in Jesus Christ is that Paul cannot conceive of a genuinely saved Christian believing that these are necessary. His conviction on this point is so strong that he not only expends the effort of writing this lengthy letter to them, but he also risks offending them by using very direct and very strong language with them.

Galatians 4:20 ²⁰I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.

Paul obviously has a great love for these people, but he is not willing to soften his stance or compromise his beliefs regarding salvation by grace through faith and faith alone.

Application

Do you remember who it was that preached the gospel message to you the day you got saved? Do you have a parent, a grandparent, or a friend who prayed for you without ceasing until you got saved?

Have you ever told them thank you for their own effort and faithfulness?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Galatians 4:10 – Rite is Wrong

Posted on December 5, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:10

¹⁰You observe days and months and seasons and years.

Truth to Learn

Our relationship with God is based on faith, not on the observance of special days and events.

Behind the Words

The word translated observe is “paratēreisthe,” which is made up of “para” meaning close or near and a form of “tēreō” meaning to keep or observe. The literal meaning refers to a person standing close to something and carefully observing it. In Acts 9:24 the use of this word means to keep a careful watch (on the gates of the city). In the current verse, however, it means to keep careful, scrupulous observance of days, months, seasons, and years lest any of these should be overlooked or not observed properly. This particular verb is in the present tense, middle voice, and indicative mood. The present tense and indicative mood imply continuous action.

In English we have active verbs (the subject is acting on something else) and passive verbs (the action is being done to the subject.) In Greek there is, additionally, the middle voice indicating that the subject is acting on itself. Hence, this particular verb implies that it is an ongoing activity which the Galatians are doing to or for themselves.

Meaning Explained

In this verse we get an indication of some of the ritualistic practices that the Galatian Christians were observing in addition to circumcision. They were regularly paying careful attention to the following:

· days (fasting days, feast days, new moons, days in honor of particular historical events or people, etc.)

· months (the Jewish calendar had four months with special significance; Abib – the ear month which marked the beginning of harvest, Ziv – the flower month, Ethanum – the month of streaming rivers, and Bul – the month of rain)

· seasons (Passover, the Feast of Pentecost, the Feast of Tabernacles, etc.)

· years (sabbatical years every seventh year and the Year of Jubilee)

Apparently, the Galatians had been taught by the false teachers to observe the Jewish calendar with all its special times. As a former Pharisee, Paul was well aware of these observances and he had been trained to keep the ritualistic practices associated with each of them, yet now he condemned these practices. Therefore, although it may have given the Galatians great satisfaction thinking that there was something they could do in their own strength to gain God’s approval, these practices did nothing in terms of their relationship with God. Later in this letter Paul will remind them that in Christ we are free, but in these observances we put ourselves under bondage again.

Application

If Paul was this critical of the Galatians over 1900 years ago, what would he say to professing Christians today who are seeking to attain holiness by legal observances? Would he not condemn the traditions brought into Christianity from Judaism and paganism: a humanly ordained priesthood with distinctive clothing, refraining from certain activities on the Sabbath, special observances on holy days, church traditions, etc.?

What would he say to you?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 4:9 – Bondage Again?

Posted on December 4, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:9

⁹But 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?

Truth to Learn

Once you are truly saved through faith in Christ, there is no reason to return to the rituals that couldn’t save you in the first place.

Behind the Words

The word “known,” appearing twice in this verse, is from “ginōskō” which refers to an experiential knowledge. This is a more personal type of knowledge than the “eidō” knowledge which we saw in the previous verse.

The expression “how is it that” is a translation of the Greek word “pōs” which is a question full of wonder. Today we might say “How in the world could you possibly do that?”

“You turn” is translated from a form of the Greek word “epistrephō” which means to turn toward something. This particular verb is present tense, active voice, and indicative mood indicating action that is in progress.

The words “weak” and “beggarly” are translated from “astenos,” meaning without strength, and “ptōcha,” meaning poor and utterly helpless.

Meaning Explained

Paul now takes off the kid gloves and gives it to the Galatians straight out. He previously was talking about the religious rituals that were performed by people before true knowledge of salvation through Jesus Christ. He now counters with “But now after you have known God,” and what he is saying is this: for those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and have an experiential knowledge of what true faith is all about, how can we then go back to the hollow useless trappings of ritualism? But, Paul immediately corrects himself by saying, “or rather are known by God.” His point here is that our salvation is not about us seeking God but about God reaching out to us. As he told the Christians at Rome:

Romans 3:10-11 ¹⁰As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; ¹¹there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God.”

Now he asks the convicting question, “How in the world can you now go back to those legalistic and ritualistic practices? They didn’t do you any good before you were saved, and they certainly don’t add anything to your salvation now.” Paul calls these things weak and beggarly. In other words, these practices and rituals have no strength to do anything spiritual, and they provide you absolutely no help at all! Not only do they not free you, these things bring you back into bondage again!

The false teachers were teaching the Galatians that Christians had to become circumcised and observe many of the rituals and holidays that the Jews had observed since Moses gave them the law. But if these things couldn’t save them before the Messiah came to die on the cross for them, how can they be of any value now that Christ has died and risen again?

Application

Is your Christian life based on faithful obedience to God and His Word, the Bible? Or is it based on the teachings, practices, and rituals of your church?

One is true saving faith and the other is slavery!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 4:8 – Hollow Ritual

Posted on December 3, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:8

⁸But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.

Truth to Learn

Before we were saved we may have thought that we were serving God, but we weren’t. We were merely performing ritualistic practices.

Behind the Words

The Greek words translated “you did not know” are “ouk eidotes.” The word “ouk” implies the absolute negative and the word “eidotes” is a form of “eidō” which means to see. But it carries more than just the notion of beholding something; it means to perceive it and is, therefore, often used in the sense of perceptual knowledge.

The word translated “served” is “douleuō,” a verb formed from the noun “doulos” which, as we have recently seen, refers to a slave of the lowest order. Hence, this verb means to be an abject slave to someone or something.

Meaning Explained

Back in verse three of this chapter, Paul informed the Galatian Christians that when they were children, spiritually speaking, they were under bondage to the elemental ritualistic practices of religion. He now harkens back to that state and informs them of some additional truths about their former religious practices.

First of all, Paul declares that at that time they did not know God; that is, they did not perceive who and what He really is. He also tells them that although they thought they were serving God, they were in fact serving something other than the true God. He describes what they were serving as “those which by nature are not gods.” These were false gods and no better than inanimate idols.

There has been some discussion as to whether Paul is referring to the Galatian converts from Judaism or from paganism. It appears, however, that this can be applied to either group. If it refers to the Jewish converts, Paul tells them that even though they thought they were serving the true God, they were simply performing ritualistic temple practices that were ineffectual. If it refers to the pagan converts, Paul is telling them that the worship they offered to their idols was likewise ineffectual.

In either case, the ritualism was not a service to God! In the coming verses Paul will show the Galatians that the teachings of their false teachers were actually taking them back to ritualism that has no value in true worship of God.

Application

Our churches today are filled with ritualistic practices and things that are done in a way prescribed by man. Whether it is the reciting of a memorized prayer or response, the genuflection required at certain times or places within a liturgy, or the singing of a particular song when the offering is being presented on the altar, it’s all ritual.

“But what’s wrong with ritual,” you may ask. Nothing, as long as we recognize that it is simply ritual and has absolutely no spiritual significance whatsoever! God does not want ritualism; he wants submissive devotion and worship. When we perform our ritualistic practices, we may be making ourselves feel better and we may be pleasing the leadership and other members of our church, but we are doing nothing for God.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 4:7 – Permanent Heir

Posted on December 2, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:7

⁷Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Truth to Learn

Because we have been adopted as a child of God we now have all the rights of inheritance, permanently.

Review

Before the Son of God came as the Messiah (born in a manger and crucified on a cross), mankind was spiritually under bondage to religious practices that could not provide the righteousness needed to stand in the presence of a Holy God. The law, which was given to the Jews through Moses, served as a guardian to watch over the Jews and as a steward to make important decisions for them, but it could not free them. Under the law, man is no better than a slave with no rights to inherit the things that our Heavenly Father has prepared for us.

But then Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to live His perfect life and offer Himself on the cross as payment for our sins. Now, through faith in His blood, we are adopted into God’s family as His children with all the rights of inheritance. And, as a result of us being declared the children of God we have the Spirit of God living in us, allowing us to cry out to God with the most endearing terms possible: “Abba, Father.”

Behind the Words

“Therefore” is translated from the Greek word “hōste” meaning so too, accordingly, or therefore. It serves to closely connect the following clause with what has just been said.

The word translated “slave” is “doulos” meaning one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another. There are other words in the Greek language for servants: “oiketēs” meaning a household servant and “misthōtos” meaning a hired servant. A doulos slave, having no legal rights, was of the lowest order in Roman society.

Meaning Explained

Because of our faith in Jesus Christ we are adopted children of God. Now Paul gets very personal and changes from the second person plural to the second person singular, talking individually to each one of us. He tells us that because of our adoption each of us is no longer a slave of the lowest order but a son (child). And not just any old child but one who is declared to be an heir of God the Father.

Under Jewish law only the male children could inherit property from the father, and the oldest male child inherited a double portion, but under Roman law all children inherited with equal rights. Paul here tells us that as adopted children of God we now all have the same rights of inheritance as the “Only Begotten Son” because we have become an heir through Him.

Application

Since we are no longer a slave but an adopted child of God, we are in line to inherit what God has for us. And, by both Jewish and Roman law, an adopted child could not be disinherited as a natural born child could. So, in essence, Paul is showing us that by being adopted as children by God we can never become un-adopted. Hence, we are saved for eternity, and we cannot lose that salvation!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 4:6 – Abba, Father!

Posted on November 29, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:6

⁶And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

Truth to Learn

Through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ we can know the most intimate fellowship with the God of all creation.

Behind the Words

The word “because” is a translation of “hoti,” which can be used to mean as a proof that (demonstrative use) or as a result of the fact that (causative use). In this verse most Greek scholars agree that its use is causative, hence, the translation “because.”

The words “crying out” are translated from the Greek word “kradzō.” This is an onomatopoetic word, that is, a word formed by the sound that it represents. Our English words boom and whoosh are onomatopoetic words. In the case of “kradzō,” it means to croak like a raven. In its use here and elsewhere in Scripture it refers to a loud cry of exclamation.

“Abba, Father” is both Aramaic (the language of the Jews after the Babylonian captivity) and Greek. “Abba” is the Aramaic word for father and “ho patēr” is its Greek equivalent. “Abba” is used in several places in the New Testament where it is always followed by its Greek translation. Abba is a familial term of endearment which servants were not permitted to use in addressing the master of the family to which they belonged. In his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane Christ used this expression when pouring out his heart to the Father.

Meaning Explained

In the previous few verses we have been told that God sent His Son to redeem us (purchase us and take us out of the market place) so that He might adopt us as His children. Now, Paul tells us that as a result of that adoption, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. There has been some debate as to whether Paul means the Holy Spirit or the spiritual quality of the Son of God. To me it makes the most sense to understand it as the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity.

Paul uses a similar expression in the book of Romans referring to Him both as the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ:

Romans 8:9 ⁹But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

Only those who are saved during the church age, who believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for their sins, are said to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. And, because of this amazing fact, we can refer to God with the most endearing term a child can possible use, “Abba, Father.” This is like a child today calling his father Papa or Daddy. Paul even tells us here that it is the very Holy Spirit of God which is proclaiming this familial endearment for us.

Application

Have you confessed your sinfulness before God and accepted the blood of Christ to pay for those sins? If so, then you can have the most intimate relationship possible with God.

I pray that you are experiencing this kind of relationship with your Heavenly Father right now.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 4:5 – Adopted Heir

Posted on November 28, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:5

⁵to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Truth to Learn

Through faith in Christ we have been adopted by God into His family with all the rights of inheritance.

Behind the Words

The word “redeem” is from a form of “exagoradzō” which means to purchase and remove from the marketplace. The mood of this verb is subjunctive meaning “that He might redeem those under the law.” The fact that Christ came does not automatically redeem all, but He came that He might redeem those who accept His sacrifice by faith.

“We might receive” is from a form of “apolambanō,” which is a compound word made up of “apo” meaning from or away from and “lambanō” which means to receive or to take. The notion is that we receive the adoption “from” God. It is a gift from him, not something we earn. Again, we see this verb in the subjunctive mood indicating possibility or probability.

The word translated “adoption” is the Greek word “huiothesian,” a compound word made up of “huios” meaning a son and a form of “tithēmi” meaning to set, to put, or to place. Hence, the sonship we receive as a gift is a position that is conferred on us, not one that we are born into.

Meaning Explained

The purpose of the Son of God becoming a Son of man was so that He might redeem those who were under the law. According to Galatians 3:13, He did this by becoming a curse for us:

¹³Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)

Since we are all sinners and the price of sin is death, we were all condemned by our sin. Christ, as the priceless Son of God, gave Himself on our behalf. That is, he paid our price for us and purchased us.

Because He purchased us and took us out of the marketplace (redeemed us), we, through faith, now receive God’s gracious gift of being adopted as sons into His family. We did not obtain this family position because we were born into His family as the Jews believed, and we cannot earn this family position by adhering to the works of law as the false teachers were telling the Christians in the Galatian churches. The only way we can receive this adoption is by God’s gracious gift when we believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Now, we are no longer children (nēpios) but are adopted sons (and daughters) with all the rights of inheritance. I like how Robert Govett said it:

“Christ, by nature Son of God, became Son of man, that we, by nature sons of man, might become sons of God. Wonderful exchange!”

Application

If you believe that the blood of Jesus Christ paid for your sins then you have been adopted into God’s family.

But, … do those who know you see the family resemblance?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 4:4 – Perfect Timing

Posted on November 27, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:4

⁴But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Truth to Learn

All of mankind was under the bondage of religious practices and observances until God’s exact timing for the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to perfectly fulfill the law for us.

Behind the Words

The word translated “fullness” is “plērōma” which means that which is complete in itself, or composed of the entire number or quantity. In this verse it is a reference to time, hence, “the fullness of time,” which here means when the appointed time had arrived.

“sent forth” is translated from a form of “exapostello,” a compound word made up of “ex” meaning out of and “apostello” meaning to send away. Hence, “exapostello” means to send away out of one’s presence.

Meaning Explained

Keep in mind that Paul is using the illustration of a little child who cannot inherit all that his father promised him until the time appointed by his father. Until that time the child is no better than a slave and is under guardians and stewards who watch out for the child’s interests in keeping with the desire of the father. In a similar manner, according to Paul, we were kept under bondage by the elemental trappings of religion.

But when the time appointed by the Father arrived, He sent forth His Son as the Messiah, the Christ. There is a subtle significance in what Paul says here with respect to the deity of Christ. Paul says that the Son of God was “sent forth” meaning that God the Father sent God the Son away from His presence to be born of a woman. This means that the Son existed before he was born of a woman. In other words, Paul is declaring the eternality of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

The time appointed by the Father had already been communicated to the Jews. More than five hundred years earlier, the Prophet Daniel had declared:

Daniel 9:25 ²⁵Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;

The command referred to was the decree of the Persian King Artaxerxes around 445 B.C. giving Nehemiah permission to rebuild Jerusalem. In Daniel’s prophecy a week refers to a week of years, or seven years. Also bear in mind that a prophetic year is 360 days, not 365¼. Hence, from the giving of the decree by Artaxerxes until Messiah the Prince was 69 sevens of years or 483 prophetic years (approx. 473 calendar years) which works out to the year 30 A.D. when Christ entered the city riding on a donkey as prophesied.

Paul also tells us that Christ was born of a woman and born under the law. These are both very significant facts as Paul will demonstrate in the following verse.

Application

God knows the end from the beginning. He has always had a plan for our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus was sent at the exact time determined by our Heavenly Father to free us from the slavery of sin and the religious practices that had us in bondage. Now, through Him we can be free!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 4:3 – Elemental Bondage

Posted on November 26, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:3

³Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.

Truth to Learn

Spiritually we have been kept in bondage by the ritualistic practices and observances from which Christ came to free us.

Behind the Words

The word translated “children” is a form of “nēpios” as we saw in verse one. It refers to an infant, one who has not yet learned how to talk.

The word “bondage” is translated from a form of “douloō,” which comes from the noun “doulos” meaning a slave. This particular verb is in the perfect tense implying past action with a continuing effect. The significance of this perfect tense verb is that it is in the form of a participle which means that it is a repeating action. Finally, it is in the passive voice indicating action done to the subject. Putting this all together we see that this word means that we were repeatedly being put into a state of slavery from which we could not escape.

“Elements” is translated from the Greek word “stoicheia,” which refers to the basic things, the rudimentary things, or the elemental things. With regard to language this would refer to letters which are the elementary things that must be mastered before the language can be learned.

Meaning Explained

Paul has just talked about the fact that an infant who, in fact, may be the future master of a family does not yet have the legal right to inherit all that his father has for him. While he is still an infant, he has guardians and stewards to watch over him and to make important decisions for him until the time when his father believes he is ready to receive the inheritance.

Paul now tells us in a spiritual sense that’s exactly how we have been. When we were spiritual infants we were constantly put in bondage by the elemental things of the world.

All we have to do now is understand what Paul meant by “the elemental things of the world.” There has been much debate over the centuries as to what Paul was referring to by this expression. Some have argued that Paul was referring to the elemental principles of the Jewish religion with its ceremonies and rituals. Others argue that he is referring the elemental principles of religion in general of which the Jewish religion shared many such as altars, offerings, sacrifices, temples, and prayers.

Whether it refers to specific elemental Jewish observances or of religious observances in general, it is clear that Paul is teaching us that these elemental pieces of religion did not free us, rather they kept us in bondage until the coming of the Messiah.

Application

There are many churches today that require adherence to many of these elemental principles of religion by their membership. Within the Christian world both Catholic and Protestant churches alike insist that their members perform certain practices. But these practices do not free the members; they keep them in bondage according to Paul. True faith in Christ liberates us from the bondage of such rites and observances.

Have you been set free in Christ or are you still in bondage?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 4:2 – Child Care

Posted on November 25, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:2

²but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.

Truth to Learn

The Law of Moses served as a guardian and as a decision maker for all who were under the law until the coming of the Messiah who freed all from the confines of the law.

Behind the Words

The word translated “guardians” is “epitropous” which is made up of “epi” meaning over or upon and “trepo” meaning to turn. This is a person to whom a person turns over control or responsibility of another. It is used in the domestic sense as a guardian.

“stewards” is translated from “oikonomous,” another compound word. This one is made up of “oikos” meaning house or dwelling and a form of “nemo” which means to deal out or to distribute. This person was usually a slave who was put in charge of distributing food to all the other slaves of the household. In civic affairs this word referred to the treasurer of a city.

The word translated “time appointed” is “prothesmias” which is a legal term that was applied to the term limited for bringing actions or prosecutions. Today we would refer to this as a statute of limitations.

Meaning Explained

Paul began this thought in the previous verse where he told us that a child who is still a minor is no different from a slave because he has no legal rights or responsibilities. He may be the future lord of the manor but as long as he is a child he is placed under guardians and stewards.

The guardian is responsible for watching out for the safety of the child. This person has complete control over the child’s person until the child grows up. The steward, who typically reports to the guardian, is responsible for watching out for the child’s financial matters. If something were to happen to the father the steward would manage the child’s finances until he reached the age of majority.

In a very real sense, even though this child will one day inherit all that the father leaves to him, currently he is under the ever watchful eye of the guardian and totally dependent on the decisions of the steward. These conditions remain in effect until the time determined by the father of the child. This might be at the age of majority (thirteen years and one day for a Jewish boy) if the father was deceased, or it might not be until later in life when the father determined to distribute his property to his sons.

This is precisely the relationship that the Jews had with regard to the Law of Moses. While they were immature they were under the law as their guardian, watching over them and constantly reminding them of their sinfulness, and as their steward, making all their decisions for them. But when the time appointed by their father came, the Messiah was revealed and they no longer needed guardians and stewards.

Application

The Christians in Galatia were being taught that they had to obey the law even after receiving salvation through faith. Paul is telling them here that it’s like trying to become a child again.

Why would anyone want to do that?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –