Galatians 4:1-7
Understanding the Law
These are still rather deep waters.
So far:
1. We have learned that the Galatians were Gentiles who had come to Jesus, but
they were being influenced by the Judaizers. Judaizers wanted to mix grace
with the Law.
2. \\#Gal 3:1\\ Paul says the Galatians behavior in this indicates that they
have been bewitched (charmed or controlled).
3. \\#Gal 1:6\\ Paul says these believers have been "removed from the you who
called you to grace to another gospel."
4. Paul has tried to reason with them by pointing out that Old Testament saints
were not saved by the Law. (Abraham is the example \\#Gal 3:6\\.)
5. \\#Gal 3:11\\ Paul argues that no person has ever been justified by the Law.
6. \\#Gal 3:15-17\\ Paul further argues that the Law can not disannul the
promise of grace given to Abraham 430 earlier.
7. \\#Gal 3:24, 16\\ Paul explains that the Law was a School Master to teach
until Jesus came.
8. \\#Gal 3:29\\ Of special interest to these Gentiles (who were trying to make
themselves over into Jewish worshippers), should be the truth that Gentiles
are more the true seeds of Abraham by faith than the Jews are by birth.
I. \\#Gal 4:1-7\\ Child of Royalty
A. In the last chapter, Paul said:
1. The Law was our School Master \\#Gal 3:24\\.
2. The Law was temporary \\#Gal 3:19, 16\\.
B. In the first section of this chapter, Paul compares living under the
Law to a child of royalty living under tutors.
1. \\#1\\ In that culture, Paul says a child of royalty was
treated like a servant, even though he was to be Lord of
everything.
a. \\#2\\ How so? In this -
1. He must learn (that is, he must be under a tutor).
2. He must obey (that is, he must be under a governor).
b. For how long? Until the father says stop.
2. Compare this to Jews’ salvation.
a. \\#3\\ Jews were under BONDAGE.
1. Bondage is a term uses to describe the Law. Why?
2. Because they had to learn.
3. Because they had to obey.
4. So now we learn that our children are just being Scriptural
when they call school a jail and accuse the parents of
being wardens.
5. By considering this, what is a child’s complaint? After
all, we who are adults still have to learn and obey.
Their complaint, however near-sighted, is that they do
not get any of the benefit.
b. \\#4-7\\ But when the time was right—the time appointed by
the Father—
1. Jesus came.
2. He came to redeem us from that bondage (that is to free
us from that legal system).
3. He came to adopt us (that is to set us in the place of
son).
4. Remember the child’s complaint. We still have to learn
and obey, but now we get the GLORY of SONSHIP.
5. \\#4:6\\ For example, He gave us the blessing of being
filled with His Holy Spirit.
6. \\#4:7\\ But the long and the short of it is that we are
no longer servants but sons.
II. \\#Gal 4:8-20\\ The Galatia Condition - Get the point.
A. Their GENTILE Condition
1. We have to keep reminding ourselves that these are two totally
different cultures.
2. These Gentiles knew nothing of being under the Law’s bondage.
3. \\#Gal 3:8\\ Their condition was worshipping a god that was no
god.
4. \\#Gal 4:9\\ But then, they met God.
5. \\#Gal 4:9\\ Now, instead of enjoying the freedom of sonship,
they wanted to return to the bondage of being a servant!
6. \\#Gal 4:10\\ They wanted to observe the Law.
7. \\#Gal 2:11\\ This was Paul’s point when confronting Peter.
8. The Jews are no longer required to stay under the bondage of the
Law, why would Gentiles desire to be under it?! Enjoy the
freedom (he will call that LIBERTY).
9. Anyone who tie to a work to grace is trying to put us back under
the bondage of learning and having to obey.
10. \\#Gal 4:11\\ Paul says he is concerned about them.
B. Their PERSONAL Condition (toward Paul).
1. \\#Gal 4:15\\ At one time, these saints would have plucked out
their eyes to give them to Paul.
2. This is the best passage to argue that Paul’s thorn in the flesh
was his bad eyesight. \\#2Cor 12:7\\
3. \\#Gal 3:16\\ But now they treat Paul like an "ENEMY."
4. People can turn on you!
a. \\#Ex 17:4\\ Israel turned on Moses.
b. \\#2Kings 10:9\\ Israel slaying the 70 sons of Ahab.
c. Israel crucifying Jesus.
5. \\#Gal 4:12\\ Even so, Paul says he is not hurt.
C. Their SPIRITUAL Condition.
1. \\#Gal 3:1\\ They were still bewitched!
2. \\#Gal 4:17\\ They were being "zealously affected" but not in a
good way.
3. Be careful about being a preacher follower. Some are not trust-
worthy.
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