Galatians 4
Sons and Heirs
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; Parallel theme: Galatians 4:23
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: Parallel theme: Galatians 2:4, 4:9, 4:25, Matthew 11:28, John 8:31, Acts 15:10, Romans 8:15, Colossians 2:8, 2:20 +4
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, References God: Matthew 1:23, Mark 1:15, Luke 1:35, John 3:16. Creation: Romans 1:3. Word: John 1:14. Parallel theme: Isaiah 7:14, Luke 2:7, Ephesians 1:10, 1 John 4:14 +5
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Redemption: Galatians 3:13, Romans 8:23, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:12, 9:15, Revelation 5:9. Word: Romans 9:4. Parallel theme: Galatians 3:26, 4:7, Ephesians 1:5 +5
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Spirit: Luke 11:13, Romans 5:5, 8:9, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Ephesians 2:18, 4:30, Philippians 1:19, Jude 1:20. Parallel theme: John 14:16, 16:7 +5
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. References Christ: Galatians 3:26. References God: Psalms 73:26, Jeremiah 31:33, Revelation 21:7. Parallel theme: Genesis 15:1, Psalms 16:5, Jeremiah 10:16, Lamentations 3:24 +3
Paul's Concern for the Galatians
8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
9 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? References God: 1 Chronicles 28:9, Romans 8:3, 1 Corinthians 8:3, Ephesians 1:17, 1 John 5:20. Parallel theme: Galatians 3:3, Exodus 33:17, 1 Corinthians 13:12, Hebrews 7:18, 2 Peter 2:20 +5
10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. Parallel theme: Romans 14:5
11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. Parallel theme: Galatians 2:2, 1 Thessalonians 3:5
12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. Parallel theme: Genesis 34:15, 1 Kings 22:4, 2 Corinthians 2:5
13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally., even as Christ Jesus.
15 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. Parallel theme: Romans 5:2, Colossians 4:13
16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? Truth: Galatians 2:5, 2:14, 5:7, John 8:45. Parallel theme: 1 Kings 21:20, 22:8, Psalms 141:5, Proverbs 9:8, Amos 5:10, John 7:7 +5
17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. Parallel theme: Matthew 23:15, Romans 10:2, 16:18, 1 Corinthians 4:8, 2 Peter 2:3
18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. Good: Titus 2:14. Parallel theme: Galatians 4:13, Psalms 119:139, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Philippians 1:27, 2:12, Revelation 3:19 +2
19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, References Christ: Romans 13:14, Ephesians 4:13, Philippians 2:5, Colossians 1:27, 4:12. Parallel theme: Romans 8:29, Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10, Philemon 1:10, James 1:18 +5
20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
The Example of Hagar and Sarah
21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the lawLaw: νόμος (Nomos). The Greek nomos (νόμος) denotes law—particularly the Mosaic law. While believers are not under law but under grace (Romans 6:14), Christ fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17) and wrote it on believers' hearts (Hebrews 8:10)., do ye not hear the law? Word: Galatians 3:10, Romans 3:19
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. References Abraham: Genesis 21:10. Parallel theme: Genesis 16:15
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 gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. Covenant: Hebrews 7:22, 12:24, 13:20. Sin: Galatians 4:25. Parallel theme: Genesis 16:8, 25:12, Hosea 11:10, Matthew 13:35, 1 Corinthians 10:11, Hebrews 11:19 +5
25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. Sin: Deuteronomy 33:2, Judges 5:5, Psalms 68:8, 68:17. References Jerusalem: Galatians 1:17, Matthew 23:37, Luke 13:34. Parallel theme: Luke 19:44, Acts 1:11, Hebrews 12:18 +5
26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 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. Parallel theme: 1 Samuel 2:5, 2 Samuel 13:20, Psalms 113:9, Isaiah 49:21, 1 Timothy 5:5
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. Covenant: Galatians 3:29, 4:23, Acts 3:25
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 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. Parallel theme: John 8:35
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. Parallel theme: Galatians 5:1, 5:13, John 8:36