2 Corinthians 4
Galatians 4 is an important chapter in which the Apostle Paul explains the freedom of faith and spiritual maturity. This chapter can be divided into two main parts. In verses 1–7, the parable of the heir and the servant emphasizes that believers in Christ are no longer slaves of the law, but God’s sons and heirs. In verses 8–20, Paul’s deep concern for the believers in Galatia continues with an urgent exhortation to turn back. In the final verses 21–31, the parable of Hagar and Sarah explains the difference between those under the law and those who are free and follow the promise.
1verseTherefore, seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint.
2verseBut we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3verseEven if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying,
4versein whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.
5verseFor we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake,
6verseseeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7verseBut we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.
8verseWe are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair;
9versepursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;
10versealways carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
11verseFor we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.
12verseSo then death works in us, but life in you.
13verseBut having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore we also speak,
14verseknowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also through Jesus, and will present us with you.
15verseFor all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16verseTherefore we don’t faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day.
17verseFor our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory,
18versewhile we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Heirs, a Servant, and Being God’s Son
In verses 1 through 7, the period under the law is likened to a child (an heir, but still not different from a servant). However, with Christ’s coming, believers are described as having been given the status of children who can be called “Abba, Father” and thus are freed from the bondage of the law. This emphasizes that a change in status has taken place—so that they can inherit God’s inheritance. The passage suggests that the essence of faith is not merely keeping rules, but a personal and close relationship with God.
Paul’s Love and Exhortation
In verses 8~20, Paul earnestly laments that believers are turning back to their former legalistic faith. As he recalls the Galatians’ hospitality when he was preaching the gospel, he warns them not to return now to outward observance of the law and its regulations. Paul also expresses his desire that, amid his own anguish of parting, the likeness of Christ may be formed within them. In other words, he emphasizes a change of heart and inward spiritual maturity rather than outward religious life.
The Allegory of Hagar and Sarah – Contrasting the Law and the Promise
In verses 21~31, Paul cites the account of Hagar and Sarah from the Old Testament, presenting that Ishmael, Hagar’s son (the Egyptian slave girl), is a symbol of someone born under the law, while Isaac, Sarah’s son, is a symbol of a free person born through the promise. Through this allegory, believers are persuaded that they should live according to the promise (freedom and sonship), not the law (a slave status). The core of the gospel is not human effort or adherence to rules, but trust in God’s grace and the promise
Meditation Point
- In what capacity do I experience my relationship with God? As a son or daughter, do I trust God rather than as a paper-worshiper?
- Am I not staying only in outward religious forms, and is the likeness of Christ increasingly being formed within me?
- You can check where you place the roots of your faith—somewhere between legalistic thoughts and the freedom of the gospel.
Try it on me
- Remembering my identity as a child of God and recognizing that I can make a decision to enjoy the closeness and freedom of calling God “Father” in everyday life.
- Rather than following external standards or rules, I can focus on growing my faith relationally by meditating deeply on God’s will and love.
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