Home

Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE LETTER TO THE GALATIANS

CHAPTER FOUR:
“CHILDREN OF A FREE WOMAN”

[“A Liberated Woman”]
Key Word: Children
Theme Verse: 26

Galatians 4:1-5 – Adoption as Sons

GA4:1 My meaning is that as long as the heir 89 is a child it is no better than being a slave, even though master of everything.

89	The heir: The Jew under the Law of Moses.

GA4:2 So this child is under the control of officials and house stewards 90 until that date 91 previously appointed by the father.

90	House stewards: The Jew under the guardianship of the Law of Moses.

91	The date: Until that time the Law of Moses is no longer the guardian.

GA4:3 In a similar manner, when we [Jews] were like such a child we were slaves to worldly fundamental principles. 92

92

Fundamental principles: Or, CON: childhood’s Lessons of outward ordinances; TCN: puerile teaching of the world; WMS: world’s crude notions; NOR: elementary elements of world knowledge. The literal Greek is STOICHEIA [fundamental principles] TOU [of the] KOSMOU [world of humankind] [STOICHEIA, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4747]. The apostle John often uses KOSMOS to refer to the Jewish world. It is likely here – where Paul has the Jew under the Law in mind – he means: “the fundamental regulations and rituals of the Jewish world.”

GA4:4 However, when that appointed season arrived, 93 The God sent forth His Son – born of a woman and born under the Law 94 [of Moses] –

93	Appointed season arrived: Or, KJV: fulness of the time. Near the end of the foretold 490 years foretold by Daniel. [Daniel 9:25-27] Messiah was anointed in the year 30 AD.

94	Born under the law: As a Jew from birth, Jesus was also a slave to the Law of Moses. He observed it perfectly, keeping its kosher rules, and observing its many festivals. However, he rejected the hypocrisy of the religious hierarchy as well as those “human traditions and doctrines.” [Matthew 15]

GA4:5 to purchase those who were under the Law 95 [of Moses] – so that we might experience an adoption as [God’s] sons. 96

95	Redeem those who were under the law: The Jews.

96	We might receive adoption as sons: Or, becoming, by adoption, true sons of God [PME], attain the status of sons [NEB]. No Jew, striving to observe the Law is a true son of God. That is, we Jews might receive the true adoption as spiritual sons. Compare John 1:12, 13.

Review Questions

Galatians 4:6-7 – Sons Cry, “Abba!”

GA4:6 And so now because you are sons, 97 The God has sent the Son’s mental inclination 98 into your hearts, so you can cry out, “Abba! 99 Father!”

97	You are sons: You former Jews are now those children spoken of at John 1:12, 13.

98

Son’s mental inclination: Or, spirit. That is, “the Son pattern of thinking or general disposition” regarding sonship. All beings possess personal “spirit” as the word may mean mental thoughts, dispositions and characteristics. The Son is also the agency through which God’s Pneuma – the pressure of His mental thoughts and will – accomplished His “eternal purpose”. The Greek word PNEUMA may indicate the mind or a mental attitude. [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4151 (here there is a strong Trinitarian bias)]

99	Abba: An Aramaic term for “Papa.” It was never used by Jews. Compare notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Romans 8:16, 17.

GA4:7 Therefore, because of God you [Jews] are no longer slaves 100 but rather sons. And if a son, then you are also an heir.

100	You are no longer a slave: That is, You Jews are no longer slaves under the Law’s guardianship.

Review Questions

Galatians 4:8-11 – Why Are You Observing Dates?

GA4:8 In the past, when you did not really enjoy a relationship with The God, 101 you were being held captive by those persons who are not naturally gods. 102 [Psalm 82:6]

101

Relationship with The God: Or, know God. An accusation Jesus charged against the Jews. So does Paul. [Romans 1:21, 24, 28; 10:2] The context still has persons who were formerly Jews and became Christians, departed from the Law of Moses, but now due to “bewitching” influences have returned to many of these observances.

102	Gods: Paul likely means those Jewish judges and rulers that Jesus alludes to at John 10:34 when he quotes Psalm 82:6. This is also seen in Acts 23:5 where Paul’s quote of the Law and its “rulers” [the religious hierarchy] as “gods” in the Greek LXX.

GA4:9 But now that you have come to know God – or rather become known by God – how is it possible that you are returning to those poor and weak elementary principles? 103 Do you want to become slaves all over again?

103

Elementary principles: This is Paul’s description of the Law of Moses. These Galatians had been formerly Jews, and because of the troublesome men, were returning to the rules and regulations of the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses was “weak.” [Romans 8:3; Hebrews 7:18] “Beggarly” may also be rendered: ineffectual, puerile, helpless, worthless, sterile.

GA4:10 You continue to observe days, months, seasons, and years! 104

104

Observe days, and months, and seasons, and years: As required by the Law of Moses. Had Paul been a Sabbath observer, or one who celebrated the Passover, he could not have said this. These Jews had become Christians, left the observance of the Law of Moses, and then because of the troublesome men from the Christian “circumcision party”, returned to these observances. Thus, Paul calls these festivals of the Jews as “weak and beggarly.”

GA4:11 I am afraid I have worked for nothing!

Review Questions

Galatians 4:12-20 – Child-birth Pains until Christ Formed

GA4:12 Brothers, I urge you, become like me, 105 because I have also become like you. You did not wrong me.

105	Become like me: That is, not under the Law of Moses. Paul did not observe Jewish practices accept in a few isolated cases where he “became a Jew to win Jews.” [1 Corinthians 9:20] Or, when he showed submissive to James and the elders to placate them.

GA4:13 You realize that I originally preached the Gospel to you despite a fleshly ailment. 106

106	Fleshly ailment: Many think this an eye ailment and there are brief allusions to it in Paul’s writings. [2 Corinthians 12:7; Galatians 6:11]

GA4:14 And even though my ailment was a test for you, you did not treat me with contempt or spit at me in disgust. Rather, you welcomed me like an angel of God, like Christ Jesus. 107

107

Like Christ Jesus: Paul parallels Christ with an angel, not God. In his pre-existence God’s Son was an angel or messenger, named Michael. After his return to heaven, Christ was again called Michael the archangel. [Daniel 12:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:17] For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 – Error of the Trinity under subjects of angel, archangel, or Michael.

GA4:15 So what happened to that happiness you had? For I testify that if it had been possible you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. GA4:16 Now, have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth? 108

108

By telling you the truth: When Paul visited these congregations in Galatia he had delivered the apostolic decree of Acts 15:23-29. [Acts 16:5, 6] The problem was those troublesome Jewish men of Acts 15:1, 2 did not abide by the DOGMATA [Acts 16:5] and began to teach that Jews and non-Jews had to continue to observe the Law of Moses.

GA4:17 These men are zealous for you 109 but not with a good motive. They want to cut you off 110 from me so that you will become zealous for them. 111

109	Men are zealous for you: Or, KJV: they zealously affect you; TCN: seeking your favour; PME: keen to win you over. Referring to the Christian Judaizers who used every political trick of the real Enemy. One is the “love bomb” and paying unusual interest or attention during the conversion stage.

110	To cut you off: Or, exclude, isolate, debar, separated altogether. These Judaizers made this choice between the Law and no Law as a matter of shunning.

111	Zealous for them: Or, KJV: zeal for them alone; TCN: seek their favour. Sectarianism at its worst. Paul reveals the real motivation – self-glorification.

GA4:18 Now it is fine to be always zealously sought after, and not just when I am present among you. GA4:19 My little children, I am having birth pangs all over again 112 because of you, until Christ is fully developed within you. 113

112	Birth pangs all over again: Or, TCN: enduring a mother’s pains; NWT: childbirth pains.

113

Christ is fully developed within you: Or, NEB: take the shape of Christ. We might say “reformed” or “formed in you all over again.” The Galatians had succumbed to the Christian Judaizers and had thus parted from Christ by becoming observers of the Law of Moses. Now Paul had to repeat the original process and bring them back to Christ.

GA4:20 I wish I was among you now so I could alter the tone of my voice, 114 but I do not know any way out for you.

114	Tone of my voice: Or, change my voice. It is true that words said in cold print often do not reflect the genuine feelings in the writer, whereas a face-to-face meeting may be judged in its entirety.

Review Questions

Galatians 4:21-26 – Our Mother is Heavenly Jerusalem

GA4:21 Now you [Jews] who wish to be under the Law [of Moses], 115 do you not listen to the Law? 116

115	You who desire to be under the Law: Those who had succumbed to the Christian Judaizers and returned to the observance of the Law of Moses. In modern times there is also a Jewish movement to force Christians into a new slavery to the Law of Moses.

116	The law: Like Jesus, the term “law” is used of all of the Hebrew Scriptures.

GA4:22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons – one by a servant girl and another by a free woman. GA4:23 Now the son of the servant girl was born in a fleshly manner, while the son of the free woman because of a promise. GA4:24 These things are an allegory. 117 These women represent two different contracts. 118 One that came from Mount Sinai, 119 giving birth to children in a form of slavery. 120 This is Hagar.

117	Allegory: Or, parable, illustration, symbolic drama.

118	Two different contracts: The Abrahamic Covenant and the Law Covenant.

119	Mount Sinai: The Law Covenant with its Ten Commandments. [Exodus 19:22ff]

120	Children for slavery: Slavery to the Law of Moses.

GA4:25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia 121 and she parallels present day Jerusalem. 122 For she is enslaved along with her children. 123

121	Mount Sinai in Arabia: It is possible Paul visited this area during his three years in Arabia.

122	She corresponds to the present Jerusalem: That is, the Jewish religious system under the Law of Moses and the multitudinous regulations added later. It is clear from this statement that Galatians was written many years before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

123	She is in slavery with her children: The Jews under the Law of Moses. Anyone who wishes to be bound by the Law of Moses is in slavery as were the ancient citizens of Jerusalem.

GA4:26 However, the Jerusalem above is free and she is our mother. 124

124	The Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother: The real, celestial ‘Sarah’. Compare Hebrews 12:22-24 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. [Isaiah 54:5; Galatians 4:31]

Review Questions

Galatians 4:27-31 – We Are Children of a Free Woman

GA4:27 For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren woman who does not give birth. Break out and cry aloud, you the woman without birth pangs. For the children of the desolate, barren woman are more numerous than the children of the woman with a husband.” [Isaiah 54:1] GA4:28 Now, brothers, we are like Isaac, children of a promise. GA4:29 But, just as it was then, the one born in a fleshly manner began persecuting 125 the one who was born spiritually, so it is the same now.

125	Persecuting: The Jews under the Law of Moses were the first persecutors of Christians. Jesus predicted this persecution of his disciples. [Mark 13:9; John 16:1, 2]

GA4:30 However, what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant girl and her son! For the son of the servant girl will not inherit with the son of the free woman.” [Genesis 21:10] GA4:31 And so, brothers, we are not children of the slave 126 but of the free woman. 127

126	We are not children of the slave: That is, not children of the Jewish Jerusalem with its observers of the Law.

127	But of the free woman: The celestial Lady not bound by the Law of Moses. [Hebrews 12:22-24; Revelation 12:1-5, 17]

Review Questions

Summary of Chapter Four