Galatians 4.31

 Galatians 4.31

What Paul wrote in this passage was possibly the most stinging rebuke he could have possibly directed toward the Judaizers. It was also a statement of prophecy that at the moment may have seemed impossible. Paul uses an allegory, the only time this word is used in the New Testament, to make several comparisons between the Law and faith in Christ. The Judaizers would, no doubt, have claimed to be sons of Abraham. Paul points out that Abraham had sons by two women, actually several, but these two have special standing. In ancient times it was not uncommon for a slave girl to have a child by the master of the house, which would be considered the son of her mistress. This child would have a different standing than simply a child of a slave. The child would be the quasi-legal child of the master’s wife while being biologically the son of a slave. That was the condition for Ishmael. 

While no list can be fully descriptive in this case, a list of contrasts will be helpful. Abraham has two sons:

• One was by a slave girl. One was by a free woman.

• One was the result of non-spectacular natural circumstances. One was the result of supernatural intervention.

• One is a symbol of the law, Mt. Sinai, and earthly Jerusalem. One is the symbol of the Faith, Mt. Zion, and Heavenly Jerusalem.

• One meant slavery. One meant freedom. 

• One woman was naturally fertile and spiritually barren. One was naturally barren and spiritually fertile.

• One was not a blessing and would provide limited offspring. One was a blessing to all people with innumerable offspring. 

• One son was a persecutor. One son was persecuted.

• One was ultimately expelled. One received the inheritance. 

The Galatians were confronted with a dramatic choice. They can choose Ishmael, who was a dark and disgraced figure, as their ancestor spiritually, and their mother a slave. Or they can choose Abraham, who served as a type for God, and as their mother, a free woman, the church. We do not need to offer more than a passing glance at the church as our mother and the bride of Christ. As the Judizers read this passage, they were no doubt furious because it was insulting, true, and irrefutable. We must never imagine that any rule-keeping can ever compare with the delight of being a child of grace. 

“Thank You Lord for my spiritual heritage. AMEN”

Galatians 4:12-31

 Galatians 4:12-31

This passage is so personal and the appeal so strong that it has the feel of a letter from a lover attempting to prevent a breakup. While we don’t fully understand verse 12, the general meaning is Paul saying, “I have a personal issue with you.” In fact, Paul refers to the gracious treatment he received at their first meeting as an appeal to their loyalty to one another. We do not know what the illness was that brought Paul to Galatia. Specific speculations are pointless, but in general, Paul was ill in such a way that he could not hide it. It might be tempting to reject someone who is making bold claims about God’s plan and power and at the same time is desperately and dangerously ill. The Galatians did not ‘despise’ or ‘loathe’ Paul (v. 14). “Despise” means to count as nothing or throw away.  “Loathe” means, literally, to ‘spit out,’ being utterly distasteful. Whatever Paul’s wrecthed condition might have been, rejection was the expected reaction. But instead they treated him like he was an angel or indeed as if he were Christ Himself. 

In fact, they were so compassionate they would have given him their own eyes. If taken as physical eyes, this may be in reference to the illness. It may be metaphorical, in which case the comment about the eyes may refer to the ability to see a way forward. Paul’s illness, treatment, and the recent defection of John-Mark may have left Paul in a state of extreme depression and discouragement. Paul might have been nearing the breaking point, and the Galatians’ love and faithfulness to the Gospel helped him pull through. 

With such a history of tender affection, how can they now be leaving their mature faith? It is because a rival is coming to them and attempting to steal their hearts. Paul is warning them that this new suitor is bad for them. Telling someone that the person who is attempting to woo him or her is a bad actor is never easy. In v. 17 Paul says, “They eagerly seek you…” We can almost imagine a person of nefarious character trying to seduce a good young man or woman. Those who offer such a warning are often not well received. It is heartbreaking to see someone who has had their lives ruined by such bad characters and relationships. Paul is watching this happen among a number of churches in the region. In this letter Paul has been bold even to the point of being harsh. But what else could he do for the church he loves? 

“Lord, help me to love the way Paul loved Your church. AMEN"

Galatians 4:1-11

 Galatians 4:1-11

Kindergarten rules are pretty good for 5-year-olds. However, if a person is grown and in the workplace and they need those kinds of rules, there is something wrong. Kindergarteners have every aspect of their lives dictated for them because there is something missing that keeps them from being able to act independently. That internal absence means that every aspect of their lives must be governed by a rule. A child lives in a world with many rules and almost no freedom because of that internal insufficiency. What is that internal insufficiency? Maturity.

Any person who wanted to live under the Law of Moses, which is what the Judaizers wanted, wanted to be a spiritual kindergartener. In verse 3 Paul mentions the ‘elemental things’ or ‘rudimental principles.’ The Greek word literally means ‘one in a row.’ Think of the ABC’s or of a class of 5-year-olds being lined up at school to walk down the hall to go to the bathroom. It carries the implication of a Sesame Street level of learning and maturity. The law is for those who have an internal lack or insufficiency of maturity. Paul tells us what fills that lack.

We see in verse 4 a picture of maturity, the fullness of time, when the time was right. God sent His Son under this ABC system to inaugurate a whole new system. In the new system, rather than pupils or students stuck perpetually in a school for the immature, we are taken out of that system and adopted. Because of this adoption we are given the Holy Spirit at the moral and character center of our lives, our hearts. And from that center we call the God of the universe our Abba, Father, or Dad.

What we see here is the stark contrast between living under the law and under grace, and we are offered the choice. We can choose between perpetual immaturity or the opportunity to grow up. We can have a life of forever learning the ABC’s of behavior or learning the wonders of Christ. We may opt for a life of slavery or a life of freedom. It is possible to remain a student forever, or we can become a son. Accordingly, God will forever be our schoolmaster or our Father. We may either spend our time counting every day or enjoying every day.

The law, like kindergarten, has its place and can give us some foundational education, but if a grown person wants to live their whole life in kindergarten, something is very wrong. A person wanting to live by the Law has an equally deep spiritual problem. 

“Lord, thank You that You are my Abba. AMEN”