Galatians Chapter 4 · Verse 4
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Original Language Analysis
ἦλθεν
was come
G2064
ἦλθεν
was come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
3 of 19
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλήρωμα
the fulness
G4138
πλήρωμα
the fulness
Strong's:
G4138
Word #:
5 of 19
repletion or completion, i.e., (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, multitude), or (objectively) what is filled (as contai
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χρόνου
of the time
G5550
χρόνου
of the time
Strong's:
G5550
Word #:
7 of 19
a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from g2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from g0165, which denotes a
ἐξαπέστειλεν
sent forth
G1821
ἐξαπέστειλεν
sent forth
Strong's:
G1821
Word #:
8 of 19
to send away forth, i.e., (on a mission) to despatch, or (peremptorily) to dismiss
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
10 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸν
Son
G5207
υἱὸν
Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
12 of 19
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
γενόμενον
made
G1096
γενόμενον
made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
14 of 19
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
15 of 19
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
γενόμενον
made
G1096
γενόμενον
made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
17 of 19
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
Cross References
Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Mark 1:15And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.Romans 1:3Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;Matthew 1:23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.John 1:14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.Ephesians 1:10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:1 John 4:14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.Luke 2:7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.Luke 1:35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Historical Context
The first century was uniquely positioned for the gospel's spread: Pax Romana provided stability and travel safety; common Greek language enabled communication across the empire; Jewish diaspora had planted synagogues everywhere; Roman roads connected the world; widespread disillusionment with traditional religions created spiritual vacuum. Historians and theologians have long marveled at God's perfect timing in sending Christ when maximum impact was possible.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing God's perfect timing in sending Christ encourage you to trust His timing in your life?
- What does it mean that the eternal Son of God willingly subjected Himself to the law to redeem you from it?
- How should Christ's incarnation—entering fully into human existence—shape your understanding of God's involvement in your life?
Analysis & Commentary
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, The glorious turning point: the incarnation. "But when the fulness of the time was come" (hote de ēlthen to plērōma tou chronou)—when the predetermined, perfect time arrived. Plērōma (πλήρωμα) means fullness, completion. God waited for the exactly right historical moment: Roman peace and roads for travel, Greek language for communication, Jewish messianic expectation, widespread spiritual hunger.
"God sent forth his Son" (exapesteilen ho theos ton huion autou)—God actively dispatched His Son on mission. "Made of a woman" (genomenon ek gynaikos)—born of woman, indicating true humanity (possibly hinting at virgin birth). "Made under the law" (genomenon hypo nomon)—born into the covenant community under law's jurisdiction. Christ subjected Himself to law's demands to fulfill them perfectly and redeem those under law. The eternal Son entered human history at the Father's appointed time.