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,
Copyright © 2007 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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