Now 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, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. (Galatians 4:1-3)
In a previous lesson, Paul asked the church in the region of Galatia, O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? (Galatians 3:1) We know that Judaizers, Jewish religious teacher from Palestine had come in after Paul left and lead the new coverts into all kinds of false teaching and convincing them that they had to obey different Jewish laws and commandments in order to be saved. Paul told them, I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-7)
After explaining many things to them, he went on to explain that our salvation came through our faith in Christ Jesus alone, not by the law. He also said, the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:22-26, 29)
Now he goes on to explain that all of us were in bondage under the elements of the world. In other words, we were all "kept in check" by the law, trying to live right based on trying to do the right thing. But through faith in Christ Jesus, we are released from the bondage under the elements of the world. Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— ... —according to the commandments and doctrines of men? (Colossians 2:20-22) For Christ Himself said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
We can't misunderstand what Paul is saying. He's not saying we no longer have to obey the law, nor is Christ saying that we don't have to work. What they are saying is we don't have to subject ourselves to the ...philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:8-10)
And since we are complete in Him, there's no additional work we need to do. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Galatians 4:4-7) Christ is EVERYTHING we need, nothing more and nothing less, nothing to be added, no additional work to be done on our part!
In a previous lesson, Paul asked the church in the region of Galatia, O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? (Galatians 3:1) We know that Judaizers, Jewish religious teacher from Palestine had come in after Paul left and lead the new coverts into all kinds of false teaching and convincing them that they had to obey different Jewish laws and commandments in order to be saved. Paul told them, I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-7)
After explaining many things to them, he went on to explain that our salvation came through our faith in Christ Jesus alone, not by the law. He also said, the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:22-26, 29)
Now he goes on to explain that all of us were in bondage under the elements of the world. In other words, we were all "kept in check" by the law, trying to live right based on trying to do the right thing. But through faith in Christ Jesus, we are released from the bondage under the elements of the world. Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— ... —according to the commandments and doctrines of men? (Colossians 2:20-22) For Christ Himself said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
We can't misunderstand what Paul is saying. He's not saying we no longer have to obey the law, nor is Christ saying that we don't have to work. What they are saying is we don't have to subject ourselves to the ...philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:8-10)
And since we are complete in Him, there's no additional work we need to do. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Galatians 4:4-7) Christ is EVERYTHING we need, nothing more and nothing less, nothing to be added, no additional work to be done on our part!
But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. (Galatians 4:8-11) The Judaizers probably told the church in the region of Galatia that they also had to observe various Jewish feasts (Leviticus 23) and make various offerings (Numbers 28) that God had commanded the children of Israel to do on specific days and specific times. These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. (Colossians 2:23)
Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? (Galatians 4:12-16)
Paul was reminding the church in the region of Galatia that when he first preached Christ to them, they received the message gladly and they received him with love, to the point that if able, they would have been willing to help him with his physical infirmity, his poor eye sight, and would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. Now they were behaving like not only his enemy, but an enemy of Christ Jesus; Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? (Galatians 3:3-4) I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. (Galatians 4:11)
Paul was reminding the church in the region of Galatia that when he first preached Christ to them, they received the message gladly and they received him with love, to the point that if able, they would have been willing to help him with his physical infirmity, his poor eye sight, and would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. Now they were behaving like not only his enemy, but an enemy of Christ Jesus; Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? (Galatians 3:3-4) I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. (Galatians 4:11)
They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you. (Galatians 4:17-20)
Paul was letting them know, and we need to be mindful of this today, that it's good for us to be zealous, to feel and show strong and energetic support and dedication for someone or something, but it has to be for a good thing, for the right things. But ...we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, (Ephesians 4:14) You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (II Peter 3:17-18)
Paul was letting them know, and we need to be mindful of this today, that it's good for us to be zealous, to feel and show strong and energetic support and dedication for someone or something, but it has to be for a good thing, for the right things. But ...we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, (Ephesians 4:14) You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (II Peter 3:17-18)
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