Galatians 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.
1verseBut I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all,
2versebut is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.
3verseSo we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.
4verseBut when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,
5versethat he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children.
6verseAnd because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”
7verseSo you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
8verseHowever at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.
9verseBut now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again?
10verseYou observe days, months, seasons, and years.
11verseI am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
12verseI beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong,
13versebut you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time.
14verseThat which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15verseWhat was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
16verseSo then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17verseThey zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them.
18verseBut it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
19verseMy little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you—
20versebut I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
21verseTell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law?
22verseFor it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman.
23verseHowever, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.
24verseThese things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.
25verseFor this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children.
26verseBut the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27verseFor it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break out and shout, you who don’t travail. For the desolate women have more children than her who has a husband.”
28verseNow we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
29verseBut as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
30verseHowever, what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant and her son, for the son of the servant will not inherit with the son of the free woman.”
31verseSo then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman.
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.
