July 7, 2021
Slave or Son?
Galatians 4-6
Roger Haynes
Central Truth
Don't be deceived by the false teaching that you must believe in Christ plus something else for salvation. Jesus Christ alone is sufficient.
Key Verse | Galatians 4:4-7
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 4-6
Sons and Heirs
1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, 1 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verse 7 though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles 2 4:3 Or elemental spirits; also verse 9 of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Paul's Concern for the Galatians
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.
12 Brothers, 3 4:12 Or Brothers and sisters; also verses 28, 31 I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? 4 4:16 Or by dealing truthfully with you 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
Example of Hagar and Sarah
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; 5 4:25 Some manuscripts For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written,
“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband.”
28 Now you, 6 4:28 Some manuscripts we brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Christ Has Set Us Free
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified 7 5:4 Or counted righteous by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, 8 5:11 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 13 still preach 9 5:11 Greek proclaim circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Keep in Step with the Spirit
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, 10 5:21 Some manuscripts add murder drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do 11 5:21 Or make a practice of doing such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Bear One Another's Burdens
1 Brothers, 12 6:1 Or Brothers and sisters; also verse 18 if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Final Warning and Benediction
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which 13 6:14 Or through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Footnotes
[1] 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verse 7[2] 4:3 Or elemental spirits; also verse 9
[3] 4:12 Or Brothers and sisters; also verses 28, 31
[4] 4:16 Or by dealing truthfully with you
[5] 4:25 Some manuscripts For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia
[6] 4:28 Some manuscripts we
[7] 5:4 Or counted righteous
[8] 5:11 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 13
[9] 5:11 Greek proclaim
[10] 5:21 Some manuscripts add murder
[11] 5:21 Or make a practice of doing
[12] 6:1 Or Brothers and sisters; also verse 18
[13] 6:14 Or through whom
Dive Deeper | Galatians 4-6
Have you ever had a great vacation where everything seemed to go right? Travel was easy, activities were fun, and the hotel was amazing. It was so good that when your friend asked, "So what was your favorite part?," you couldn't pick out one thing because it was all great. That's how it felt trying to break down this section of Scripture. There is so much to talk about!
The fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 is probably the most well-known part. Galatians 5:14 and Galatians 6:9-10 contain great wisdom on godly living. But the overall message of this passage is found in Galatians 4:4-7. Those who believe in Christ have been freed from slavery and adopted as sons and daughters of God. They are, therefore, heirs to His kingdom.
Paul's letter to the Galatians describes how they were being deceived by false teachers into thinking that it was still necessary to follow the old requirements of the Mosaic Law. He reminds them that faith in Christ alone is enough for salvation and that following the law is no longer necessary. The law merely shows us, through our inability to meet all of its requirements, that we are hopeless and lost without Christ.
When Paul first visited the Galatians, he shared the gospel with them. They accepted Christ as their savior and learned that they were free from the law. He admonished them for listening to false teachers who had strayed away from the core truth of the gospel. Continuing to adhere to the old Jewish rituals and customs of the law takes away your freedom in Christ and subjects you to slavery again. When you try to be justified by the law, you are alienated from Christ (Galatians 5:4). How foolish it would be to go back to bondage after being freed (Galatians 4:9, 5:1).
It's crucial to understand that we find freedom through Jesus Christ alone, and not Christ + works (see Ephesians 2:8-9). Don't be deceived: Christ alone saves.
Discussion Questions
1. As we wrap up Galatians, remember that there are still many false teachers present. Can you identify some of the false narratives in the Christian world today? We may also be deceived if we are not prepared to identify them through knowledge of God's Word. A vacation timeshare sounds good, but when you know it is a burden, you won't be tempted.
2. Scripture calls us to be prepared to preach the truth and correct false teaching (2 Timothy 4:2). Are you prepared to do that? There are many options online through Watermark's Equipping Ministry to prepare yourself.
3. Galatians 6:7-8 contains a warning that we will be held personally responsible for our own understanding of the Scriptures and our resulting actions. Looking at what you are sowing now, will you reap destruction or eternal life when harvest time comes?
4. Read over the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. How many of these are you experiencing today in your walk with Christ? If the answer is "not many," ask yourself, "Why not?" Think about what you need to do to change that.