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,
Copyright © 2007 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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