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Galatians 4

Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

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

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.

Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.

And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

What does Galatians 4:31 mean?

Explanation

Galatians 4:31 is the culmination of an allegory that the Apostle Paul uses to contrast the two covenants represented by the women Hagar and Sarah from the book of Genesis.

The verse states, "So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free." In this context, the "bondwoman" refers to Hagar, who bore Ishmael to Abraham under bondage, representing the Old Covenant and the law.

Conversely, the "free" refers to Sarah, Abraham's wife, who bore Isaac, representing the promise and freedom found in the New Covenant through faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul is emphasizing the freedom that believers in Christ have as opposed to the bondage under the law.

Top Rated Galatians Books

Historical Context

Galatians was written by Paul to the churches in Galatia, likely around A.D. 49, before the Jerusalem Council.

The letter responds to the teachings of Judaizers, who were insisting that Gentile believers must follow Jewish customs and laws, particularly circumcision, to be saved.

Using the story of Hagar and Sarah, Paul creates a distinction between living under the law (bondage) and living under grace through faith (freedom), which was a major theme of the Protestant Reformation.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse speaks to the doctrine of grace in Christian theology.

It emphasizes that salvation is not obtained through adherence to law or tradition but through faith in Christ's redemptive work.

Reformed theologians might point to this verse as support for the doctrine of Sola Fide (faith alone).

A Covenant Theologian would likely highlight the continuity and discontinuity between the Old and New Covenants, while a Dispensationalist might focus on the different stewardships or economies in God's plan.

Practical Applications

Galatians 4:31 inspires believers to live in the liberty that Christ provides, free from the need to earn salvation through works. It encourages a dependence on God's grace rather than on religious rituals or morality to justify oneself.

Christians are called to embrace their identity as children of the promise and live in a way that reflects the freedom given by the Spirit.

Cross-References

Galatians 5:1 - "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Romans 8:15 - "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
Galatians 3:28-29 - "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

Language Study

In the original Greek text:

"Brethren" (ἀδελφοί) indicates those within the Christian community, emphasizing a familial bond.
"Bondwoman" (παιδίσκη) refers to a female slave or servant, in this context specifically to Hagar.
"Free" (ἐλευθέρας) conversely indicates freedom from slavery, pointing towards Sarah and her status as a free woman, symbolism of grace.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The allegory of Hagar and Sarah has parallels in other religious and cultural texts, most notably in the Judaic and Islamic traditions where Hagar and Sarah are also significant figures.

In Islam, Hagar is highly respected as the mother of Ishmael, seen as a matriarch in her own right.

However, the specific allegorical use by Paul is unique to Christian theology.

Scientific Perspectives

Galatians 4:31 does not directly intersect with any specific scientific concepts, as it is a theological exposition.

However, the idea of freedom from law could be conversationally likened to concepts of determinism and free will, which are explored in the realms of philosophy and science, ranging from physics to neuroscience.

Commentaries

Different biblical scholars and theologians offer varied insights on this verse.

For instance, John Stott in his commentary on Galatians connects this verse to Christian liberty and reconciliation of different social groups in Christ.

Matthew Henry's commentary notes the importance of standing firm in the freedom that comes from being justified by faith and not falling back into the "bondage" of ceremonial law.

In the MacArthur Study Bible, John MacArthur emphasizes the new birth and new lineage of believers as children of the promise rather than descendants of Hagar, which would signify a return to legalism.

Galatians 4

Galatians 4

What does Galatians 4:31 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Galatians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Galatians 4:31 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Galatians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?