Chapter 4 of Galatians, according to the Amplified Classic (AMPC) version, continues Paul's discussion of the believer's relationship to the law and their status as children of God. Paul starts the chapter by discussing the analogy of an heir. As long as an heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, because he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. Similarly, people were children, enslaved to the elementary principles of the world before they knew God. But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that they might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5, AMPC: "But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to [the regulations of] the Law, To purchase the freedom of (to ransom, to redeem, to atone for) those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us [and be recognized as God’s sons]". Paul then emphasizes that because they are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So, they are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:6-7, AMPC: "And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the [Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father! Therefore, you are no longer a slave (bond servant) but a son; and if a son, then [it follows that you are] an heir by the aid of God, through Christ").

Paul expresses his concern about the Galatians turning back to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, to which they desire to be enslaved all over again. Galatians 4:9, AMPC: "Now, however, that you have come to be acquainted with and understand and know [the true] God, or rather to be understood and known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly and worthless elementary things [of all religions before Christ came], whose slaves you once more want to become?"). Paul further illustrates his point using the story of Abraham’s two sons, one by a slave woman and the other by a free woman. He explains that these things can be taken allegorically: the women are two covenants, one from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery (which is Hagar), and the other, the Jerusalem above, is free, which is their mother. Galatians 4:24-26, AMPC: "These [very] things are [only] an allegory and symbolic; for [the women] represent two covenants. One covenant originated from Mount Sinai [where the Law was given] and bears [children destined] for slavery; this is Hagar. Now Hagar is (stands for) Mount Sinai in Arabia and she corresponds to and belongs in the same category with the present Jerusalem, for she is in bondage together with her children. But the Jerusalem above (the Messianic kingdom of Christ) is free, and she is our mother".

An Overview of Galatians Chapter Four

Click below to read a full page summary of each Chapter.

Click below to read a full page summary of each Chapter.