Introduction

Galatians 4 develops the theme of sonship versus slavery. Once we were enslaved; now we are heirs. Paul pleads with the Galatians not to return to bondage and uses the allegory of Sarah and Hagar to illustrate freedom versus slavery.

From Slaves to Sons (verses 1-7)

What Paul is saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those under the Law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir.

• Underage Heir: Before Christ, like a slave despite inheritance
• Fullness of Time: God sent His Son at the right moment
• Adoption: We receive sonship through redemption
• Abba, Father: The Spirit enables intimate relationship

Paul's Concern (verses 8-20)

Formerly, when they did not know God, they were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that they know God—or rather are known by God—how can they turn back to those weak and miserable forces? Do they wish to be enslaved by them all over again? They are observing special days, months, seasons, and years! Paul fears for them that somehow he has wasted his efforts on them.

He pleads with them to become like him, for he became like them. They did him no wrong. As they know, it was because of an illness that he first preached the gospel to them, and even though his illness was a trial to them, they did not treat him with contempt or scorn. They welcomed him as if he were an angel of God, as if he were Christ Jesus Himself. Where is their blessing now? Paul can testify that if they could have done so, they would have torn out their eyes and given them to him. Have they now become his enemy by telling them the truth? Those people are zealous to win them over, but for no good. They want to alienate them from Paul so that they may be zealous for them. Paul is again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in them.

Hagar and Sarah (verses 21-31)

Tell Paul, you who want to be under the Law, are you not aware of what the Law says? Abraham had two sons—one by the slave woman and one by the free woman. The son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh; the son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise. These things are being taken figuratively: the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: "Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband." Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. But what does Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

Key Takeaways

• Sons, Not Slaves: We are heirs, not servants
• Spirit of Sonship: We can call God "Abba, Father"
• Don't Return: Going back to law-keeping is slavery
• Children of Freedom: We are Sarah's children, born of promise

Reflection Questions

• Do you relate to God as a slave or as a beloved child?
• What "weak and miserable forces" are you tempted to return to?
• How does being a child of the "free woman" change your approach to faith?