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Galatians Chapter 4

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 31 Verses

What is Galatians 4 about?

The Magna Carta of Christian liberty — justification by faith alone, not by works of the law, and freedom in the Spirit. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all;
2but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father.
3So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world:
4but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
8Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods:
9but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again?
10Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years.
11I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.
12I beseech you, brethren, become as I [am], for I also [am become] as ye [are]. Ye did me no wrong:
13but ye know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the first time:
14and that which was a temptation to you in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but ye received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus.
15Where then is that gratulation of yourselves? for I bear you witness, that, if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
16So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth?
17They zealously seek you in no good way; nay, they desire to shut you out, that ye may seek them.
18But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter at all times, and not only when I am present with you.
19My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you--
20but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone; for I am perplexed about you.
21Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
22For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman.
23Howbeit the [son] by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the [son] by the freewoman [is born] through promise.
24Which things contain an allegory: for these [women] are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage, which is Hagar.
25Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children.
26But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother.
27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: For more are the children of the desolate than of her that hath the husband.
28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
29But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him [that was born] after the Spirit, so also it is now.
30Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman.
31Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Now I say, etc..] To illustrate what he had said of the law's being a schoolmaster to the Jews until the coming of Christ, and then ceasing as such, he proposes the case of an heir during his minority, till he come to the proper time of enjoying his estate. that the heir, as long as he is a child; anyone that is an heir to his father's estate, or another's, whilst under age, being reckoned as a child, as he is from his infancy to his manhood, differeth nothing from a servant: he is not his own man, nor at his own dispose; he cannot do as he pleases; he is under restraint; he is kept to school or to business, and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED: ILLUSTRATION OF OUR SUBJECTION TO THE LAW ONLY TILL CHRIST CAME, FROM THE SUBJECTION OF AN HEIR TO HIS GUARDIAN TILL HE IS OF AGE. PETER'S GOOD WILL TO THE GALATIANS SHOULD LEAD THEM TO THE SAME GOOD WILL TO HIM AS THEY HAD AT FIRST SHOWN. THEIR DESIRE TO BE UNDER THE LAW SHOWN BY THE ALLEGORY OF ISAAC AND ISHMAEL TO BE INCONSISTENT WITH THEIR GOSPEL LIBERTY. (Gal. 4:1-31) The fact of God's sending His Son to redeem us who were under the law (Gal 4:4), and sending the Spirit of His Son into our hearts (Gal 4:6), confirms the conclusion (Gal 3:29) that we are "heirs according to the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Now I say - He had before said Galatians 3:24-25 that while they were under the Law they were in a state of minority. This sentiment he proceeds further to illustrate by showing the true condition of one who was a minor. That the heir - Any heir to an estate, or one who has a prospect of an inheritance. No matter how great is the estate; no matter how wealthy his father; no matter to how elevated a rank he may be raised on the moment that he enters on his inheritance, yet until that time he is in the condition of a servant. As long as he is a child - Until he arrives at the age. The word rendered “child” (νήπιοι…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Now - To illustrate by a plain similitude the preeminence of the Christian, over the legal, dispensation. The heir, as long as he is a child - As he is under age. Differeth nothing from a servant - Not being at liberty either to use or enjoy his estate. Though he be lord - Proprietor of it all. Galatians 4:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“4:1-7 Paul supports his argument that the law’s purpose for God’s children was fulfilled when Christ came, so that we are no longer bound by it. 4:1-3 A child inheriting an estate might receive a large fortune, but before coming of age, the child must obey guardians and trustees until the time set by the father. Similarly, before Christ came, God’s people were under the guardianship of the law (see 3:23-24).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“That: Gal 4:23, Gal 4:29; Gen 24:2, Gen 24:3; Kg2 10:1, Kg2 10:2, Kg2 11:12, Kg2 12:2 Galatians 4:3”
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