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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,

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

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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,

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

Galatians 4:1 – Infants and Slaves

Posted on November 23, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:1

¹Now 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,

Truth to Learn

As spiritual infants those who keep the law are simply performing ritualistic practices that can not result in an inheritance. Though they may have mastery of all that the law requires, they are spiritually no better than common slaves.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “child” is “nēpios” which is made up of “nē” meaning not and a form of “epos” meaning word. Hence this word refers to one who is not yet saying words. This person is an infant who is totally dependent on others for his life and livelihood.

“master” is translated from the Greek word “kurios” which means might or power. It is used in the New Testament to signify a master or a lord or an owner.

We looked at the word “slave” a few verses back. It refers to one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another. He is the property of his lord or master.

Review

In the previous chapter Paul showed us that the purpose of the Law of Moses was to guard us (keep watch over us) as a constant reminder of our sinfulness and need for a savior. It also acted as our tutor or pedagogue to lead us to the truth about salvation through the coming Messiah. But, as Paul told us, after we came to faith in Jesus Christ we no longer needed a guard or a tutor. And, since we now belong to Christ we are part of the promised seed of Abraham and we are now eligible to receive the inheritance of the father which was promised to Abraham and his seed.

Meaning Explained

To illustrate what he had said of the law’s being a schoolmaster until the coming of Christ, Paul proposes the case of an heir during his minority, till he comes to the proper time of enjoying his estate. He is making the point that a child, even though he will eventually inherit all that belongs to his father, currently has no rights. In that sense he is really no different than a slave who is owned by his father. He has a different relation to his father in that he receives the love of his father and is preferred above all others by his father, but legally he can not inherit his father’s estate until he reaches the age of maturity.

The ceremonies and rituals of Judaism were designed for those who did not know God as He is revealed in Christ. Those under the law were infants in relation to the father. The law was full of shadows and pictures, appealing to the spiritual senses through physical and external actions which only produced a temporal position with God. Faith in Christ, on the other hand, is spiritual, internal, and permanent. As Christians we are of age and eligible to inherit all that has been promised to us.

Application

You, as a son or daughter of God through faith in Jesus Christ, will one day inherit all that the Father has promised to you.

Are you living like a slave or an heir?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 3:29 – God’s Heirs

Posted on November 20, 2007 by admin

Galatians 3:29

²⁹And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Truth to Learn

We who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are now the children of God and have the right to inherit all the blessings promised to Abraham

Behind the Words

The word translated “Christ’s” is “christou.” This noun is in the genitive case which means that it is to be translated as of Christ or from Christ. In Greek this is the form of a noun that identifies ownership. What Paul is telling us is that we who believe God’s message about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus now belong to Christ. He is our owner, that is, our lord and master.

The word translated “heir” is “klēronomos,” which is a compound word made up of “klēros” meaning a lot and a form of “nemō” meaning to have in one’s posession. In the Roman world, as in the Greek world, a lot was used as a manner of selection. The lots of several parties were properly marked or distinguished and put into a vessel which was violently shaken by one who turned his face away. The lot which first fell to the ground indicated the person chosen or preferred for the occasion. If a person had a lot, then they were eligible for selection. If they did not have a lot they were left out of the selection process. The word “klēronomos” has thus come to be used in reference to one who was eligible for distribution of an inheritance hence, its translation as “heir.”

Meaning Explained

Paul just told us that we are all one in Christ Jesus and we are each a child of God. This privileged position is the result of faith, not the accident of national origin, the preference of freedom or servitude, or whether man or woman. In Romans 4 Paul shows that Abraham was justified by faith, and was thus identified as the spiritual father of all believers in Christ, whether circumcised or uncircumcised. And in verse 16 he told us that the promises made to Abraham were made to him and his seed, who is Jesus Christ. Since we now belong to Christ, we belong to the seed of Abraham and have become an heir according to God’s promise and our faith.

Since we are now heirs of God according to the promise made to Abraham, we inherit the blessings promised to Abraham, and partake of the peace and happiness which he looked forward to. This did not happen by the obedience of the Law; it was by faith – in the same way that Abraham received the blessing; an arrangement before the giving of the Law, and therefore one that may include everyone who believes, whether Jew or Gentile. All believers enjoy the blessings of Abraham and we all are the children of God, and in the same manner, and on the same terms as Abraham was.

So What?

Do you now see why Christ taught his disciples to pray, “Our Father who is in heaven?” He truly is our father and we are His children who will one day inherit a place in His eternal kingdom.

Let us take a few minutes to pray to our Heavenly Father and thank Him for all the blessings that He has promised to us through faith.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 3:28 – No Difference

Posted on November 19, 2007 by admin

Galatians 3:28

²⁸There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Truth to Learn

God’s promises in Christ are offered freely to anyone, independent of national origin, gender, or status in life.

Behind the Words

“Jew nor Greek” is a literal translation of “ioudaios oude ellēn.” One might ask why Paul only mentions these two nations. Paul is writing from a Jewish perspective and in their thinking a person is either a Jew or not a Jew. After the conquest of Alexander the Great, the common Greek language became the language of the people. As Rome conquered the lands and expanded her dominion throughout the Mediterranean, Greek continued to be the language of commerce and conversation. So, by the first century nearly all the civilized world spoke Greek. Therefore, in the early church one was either a Jew (speaking a form of Hebrew called Aramaic) or a Greek (speaking common Greek.)

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. These had rights which a slave did not.

Meaning Explained

In verse 26 Paul declared that we are all sons (children) of God through faith in Christ Jesus. He now expands on that thought. Not only are we all children of God, but there is no distinction made with respect to salvation between Jews and Gentiles, between freeborn and slaves, or between the sexes.

Through the Law of Moses the Jews were declared to be a special people above all others:

Deuteronomy 7:6 ⁶For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.

A slave (doulos) had no rights and was considered the personal property of his master. A free man was independent and had the rights of ownership, citizenship, and inheritance. Within Jewish society men had many privileges over women. A woman could not inherit nor could she own slaves as her husband could.

In his normal morning prayer, a Jewish man thanked God that He had not made him a Gentile, a slave, or a woman. But in Christ Jesus these differences disappear, that is, as far as acceptance with God is concerned. In Christ a Jew is not preferred over a Gentile, a free man is not more favored than a slave, nor is a man more privileged than a woman. With respect to salvation, righteousness, and eternal life there is no distinction made based on one’s station in life. God offers his gift freely to all.

So What?

Christianity was the first religious system that put all people on an equal footing. All of us are sinners and, without Christ, are under God’s condemnation. Anyone who believes God’s promise and accepts Christ’s blood as the payment for his or her sins is declared righteous no matter what his or her lineage, position in society, or gender.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 3:27 – Christ Embraced

Posted on November 18, 2007 by admin

Galatians 3:27

²⁷For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Truth to Learn

When we come to faith in Jesus Christ we become a child of God and we embrace all that Jesus is. We wrap ourselves in Him.

Behind the Words

The word translated “into” is the Greek word “eis” which can mean into but it can also mean motion toward or upon any place or thing. Hence, it is often translated as “unto.”

The words “put on” are from a form of the Greek word “enduo” which literally means to sink into. It is the word used to express putting oneself into his or her clothing. To put on someone else, however, is a very peculiar expression to our modern ears. According to Chrysostom, one of the greatest preachers of the fourth century, Bishop of Constantinople, and a prolific writer: “We say of friends, one puts on the other, meaning thereby much love and unceasing fellowship.” So Paul’s meaning in saying that we have “put on” Christ is that we have a great love for our Lord and experience continual close fellowship with him. This is accomplished through constant prayer accompanied by continual reading and studying of God’s Word. Today we might say that we have “embraced Christ and His teachings.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has just told us that we obtain our sonship of God, not by deeds of righteousness but by faith in Jesus Christ. He now carries the idea one step further. Paul makes a reference to those who are justified by faith in Christ with the expression, “as many of you as were baptized unto Christ.” He is not saying here that only those who have been baptized are Christians, though some churches today teach that baptism is required for salvation. This is typically taken from the teachings of Jesus as He gave the great commission to the church:

Mark 16:15, 16 ¹⁵And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Notice, however, that condemnation comes to those who do not believe, not to those who are not baptized. The notion that baptism is required in addition to faith is just as wrong as the false teaching that the Galatians had received, that one must believe and be circumcised in order to be saved.

Baptism is a testimony of the salvation that has already taken place and an indication that the believer has embraced Christ and all that He stands for. Paul will tell us in the next chapter of this letter to the Galatian churches that when we are saved we are guaranteed adoption into the family of God. As His adopted children we “put on” all the spiritual and behavioral clothing of His family.

So What?

As a Christian you have declared that you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins. When you did this God legally declared you to be as righteous (sinless) as Jesus Himself. And, according to this verse, you embraced all that He stands for.

Do those around you see you embracing all that He stands for?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 3:26 – Heirs by Faith

Posted on November 15, 2007 by Will

Galatians 3:26

²⁶For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Truth to Learn

We who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are given a legal status of inheritors of God, not because of adherence to a set of rules, but because of faith.

Behind the Words

The word translated “sons” is a form of the Greek word “huios” which refers to an offspring or a descendent. It is different from the Greek word “teknon,” which refers to a child, in that “huios” generally refers to a legally grown son who no longer needs a pedagogue and is now in a position to inherit.

The term “sons,” though a masculine pronoun, is used in this case in the generic sense of children (male and female).

Meaning Explained

If you read the preceding verses carefully you will notice that Paul had been using the first person pronouns “we,” “our,” and “us” but he now changes to “you.” The use of the first person pronouns was a reference to those who were under the condemnation and guidance of the law (Jews). Though they were direct descendents of Abraham, they couldn’t inherit the promises. The change to “you” (second person plural) is specifically a reference to those who are of the faith, that is, Christians. We are God’s grown children.

The Jews believed that because they were direct descendents of Abraham, they were in a privileged position with God. But though they are descendents of Abraham, they were still under the guardianship of the Law. They were, in a sense, spiritual minors, not yet “of age.” But Christians, rather than being sons of Abraham, are sons of God according to Paul. And not mere descendents, but legally mature inheritors. We don’t need a pedagogue to lead us to the truth because we now believe the truth.

The distinction will become more apparent in the next chapter of this letter where Paul will tell us:

Galatians 4:1, 2 ¹Now 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, ²but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.

Those who are under the Law of Moses are little children, no different that a slave. But we, as sons of God, are now in a privileged position that allows us to inherit the promises of God.

Granted, there are a lot of Christians who aren’t very mature spiritually. But in God’s legal system we Christians are all grown-up children who can legally inherit from our Father.

So What?

The world often uses the term “children of God” in reference to all of mankind. In God’s record book, however, only those who have their sins paid for, through faith in Jesus Christ, are true children of His.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 3:25 – No More Guide

Posted on November 13, 2007 by Will

Galatians 3:25

²⁵But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Truth to Learn

Once we are saved, we no longer need the Law of Moses to be our guard or our guide.

Behind the Words

“after faith has come” is the translation of “elthousēs tēs pisteōs.” The word “tēs” is the definite article for faith (pisteōs) and as we saw in Galatians 3:23 this means that Paul is talking about “the faith,” that is, faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, not faith in general. The word “elthousēs” is an aorist participle of “erchomai” which means to come or to go. The significance of the aorist participle is that it refers to action that was happening in the past but is now completed. To put this all in perspective, this verse could be translated as “But the faith having come, we are no longer under a tutor.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we learned that the Law of Moses acted both as mankind’s prison guard, constantly reminding us of our sinfulness, and mankind’s guide, leading us to faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The law, with all its rites and ceremonies, required the blood of a sacrificial lamb to atone for sins. Not only did this make those under the law keenly aware of their own sinfulness and need for atonement, but it was the very picture of Jesus Christ as the sacrificial Lamb of God.

Now that the Lamb of God has been slain and His blood applied to cover our sins we can appropriate that blood payment for our own sins. We who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (the faith having come) no longer need to have the guide (tutor).

The Christians in the churches of Galatia had been led astray by the false teachers into believing that they had to obey some of the commandments and practices of the Mosaic Law in order to be completely saved. They were being taught that circumcision and subjection to the law were required for salvation.

But, now that Paul has shown them the purposes of the Law of Moses, which have been fully accomplished in Christ, the Galatians could clearly see that they have been led astray by the false teachers.

So What?

Are you being told by your church that you have to be baptized in a certain way to be saved? Are you being told that if you are not a member of their church then you aren’t really a Christian? Are you being taught that you have to complete a set of classes and partake of the “Sacraments” in order to be acceptable to God? These are all false teachings. Do you recall what God said to Abraham?

Genesis 15:5, 6 ⁵Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” ⁶And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

Abraham simply believed and he was declared righteous. When we believe the gospel of Jesus Christ we, too, are declared righteous. Nothing more is needed!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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