1: Now I say heirs while in the season of childhood differ nothing from servants though they be lords of all 2: But are under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father 3: Even so we when we were children were in bondage under the elements of the world 4: But when the fullness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the law nomos 5: To redeem them that were under Nomos that we might receive the adoption of children 6: And because you are children God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father 7: Wherefore you are no more servants but children and if children then heirs of God through Christ 8: Howbeit then when you knew not God you did service to them which by nature are not gods 9: But now after that you have known God or rather are known by God how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements whereunto you desire again to be in bondage 10: You observe days and months and seasons and years 11: I am afraid for you lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain[1] 12: Brethren I beseech you be as I am for I am as you are You have not injured me at all 13: You know how through weakness of the flesh[2] I preached the gospel to you at the first 14: And my trial which was past tense (Paul’s thorn in the flesh 2 Corinthians 12:7) in my flesh you despised not nor rejected but received me as an angel of God even as Christ Jesus 15: Where is then the blessedness you spoke of for I bear you record that if it had been possible you would have plucked out your own eyes and have given them to me 16: Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth 17: They [are] zealous [toward] you but not to the good [not to your benefit] Yes they would shut you out [of eternal life] that you might [be] zealous [toward] them 18: But it is good to be zealous always in [that which is] good and not only when I am present with you 19: My little children of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you 20: I desire to be present with you now and to change my voice for I stand in doubt of you 21: Tell me you that desire to be under the law nomon do you not hear the law nomon 22: For it is written that Abraham had two sons the one by a bondmaid the other by a freewoman 23: But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh but he of the freewoman was by promise 24: Which things are an allegory for these are the two covenants the one from the mount Sinai which genders to bondage which is Agar 25: For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia Exodus 19:11 and answers to Jerusalem which now is and is in bondage with her children 26: But Jerusalem [3] which is above is free which is the mother of us all 27: For it is written Rejoice thou barren that bears not Break forth and cry you who travails not For the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband[4] 28: Now we brethren as Isaac was are the children of promise 29: But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit even so it is now 30: Nevertheless what says the scripture Cast out the bondwoman and her son [5] for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman 31: So then brethren we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free
[1] Galatians 4:11 is referenced by those
who do not accept eternal security teachings.
[2] Could this be a reference to the thorn
in the flesh, the messenger of Satan, Paul mentioned in his letter to the
Corinthians 2 Corinthians 12:7-10? If so, then we have his testimony
of persevering through the trial of sickness, and, in God’s good time,
receiving his promise of healing Exodus 15:26. Paul referred to his
physical ailment as a thing of the past (“at the first…” “was…” [past tense]).
Jesus equated forgiveness of sins with physical healing. When he healed the
lame man, he said, “Your sins are forgiven.” When he was challenged on this, he
answered, “Which is easier to say? Your sins are forgiven, or rise up and
walk?” By his stripes, we are [right
now] HEALED. Jesus said plainly that physical healing comes with forgiveness of
sins (atonement). Never give up on God’s promises. Trust in him with all our
hearts and lean NOT to our own
understanding.
[3] The Hebrew word for Jerusalem is a
plural, and the scriptures speak of both an earthly and a heavenly Jerusalem.
[4] Notice the strong language YHWH
uses to describe those who choose to remain under the requirements of the Law
rather than submit to the liberty found in Messiah. He calls them “desolate.”
Compared to the power of faith in Christ, the apostle called the elements of
the Law “weak” and “beggarly.” Even so, in its time, the Law had its own glory.
And that is not to say Believers are free from responsibility to obey God.
Jesus purchased our liberty at a fearful cost, and the scriptures say God
forbid that we should neglect or abuse it. The awesome liberty found in Christ
also comes with awesome responsibility.
[5] Galatians 4:30 says cast out the bond
woman who is an allegory of the Old Covenant, which has served its purpose but
never claimed to have the power [in and of itself] to give life. Cast out the
offspring of the bond-woman as well. For they shall not be heirs with the
children of the free woman [the New Covenant]. The Bible says the New Covenant
is a better Covenant based on better promises.
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