Epistle of Paul to the Galatians

Compiled by WD Kemner January 2025

Chapter 4 Overview

Paul has just established in Chapter 3 that we are all heirs.

Galatians Chapter 4 verses 1-7

Concordance:  Law;  Adopted Sons;  Salvation Planned

1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

We were redeemed from under the law and have been adopted by Him and added to His family.

We are likewise under tutors, under the elements of this world until we accept the adoption he provides for us.

Galatians Chapter 4 verses 8-11

Concordance:  Being Religious;  Turning Backs on God

8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Man often turns away from God to follow what man deems to be more enjoyable pursuits.  This verse states that they have turned away.  If they are turned away, then they are NOT following God as they were.  Another example of lost salvation.

When man begins to observe days, months and seasons; he begins to feel justified in his doing of “religious activities”.  Religion becomes important not God.

Galatians Chapter 4 verses 12-16

Concordance:  Trials and Temptations;  Role Model;  Leadership by Example;  Giving all for a Brother

12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.

13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.

14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Paul as the “role model”.  Life was never promised to be easy for the believer.  Instead, we have the authority of God to go to.

The issues that Paul in his own life and had to confront during his ministry (2 Corinthians 11:24-27) were not allowed to distract his beliefs and commitment. Paul is stating that the Galatians stood with him through EVERY kind of temptation or trial to the point of being willing to give a body part to aid Paul.  Paul IS NOT declaring any form of eye disease.  Would you give “your right arm” to assist a brother?

Galatians Chapter 4 verses 17-18

Concordance:  False Teachers

17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

False teachers are always willing to do (charm) or promise whatever it takes to retain their following.

Galatians Chapter 4 verses 19-20

19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

Paul’s Allegorical Parable – Law versus Grace

(Bondwoman versus Freewoman)

OLD COVENANT versus NEW COVENANT

Galatians Chapter 4 verses 21-31

Concordance:  Law;  Freedom;  New Covenant versus the Old Covenant

21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

One child born by normal conception by man and woman, the other at an Elderly age by Promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

Sarah and Hagar representing the New and Old Covenants.  The Old was cast out and set aside when the New was brought forth.

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

The New Jerusalem which is for Everyone.

Quoted: Isaiah 54:1

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

In the same way that Hager treated Sarah (Genesis 21:9); the world treats the believer.

30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Genesis Chapter 21; In the same way that the Bondwoman was cast out, the Old Covenant has been cast out and the New Covenant has been put in its place.

See also Topic Article called “New Covenant versus Old Covenant”