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Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Galatians 4:1-3

Galatians 4:1-3. The apostle, having established the consolatory doctrine that believers, in every age and country of the world, are heirs of the promises made to Abraham and to his seed, goes on in this chapter to answer an inquiry which he knew would naturally occur to his readers, but which, according to his manner, he does not formally state; namely, Since all believers, from the beginning, were heirs of the promises, as well as of the things promised, why were they not put in possession... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:1-7

The law’s purpose illustrated (3:23-4:7)Jews under the law were like children under the control of a guardian, but this was only in anticipation of the coming of Christ. When he came, those who trusted in him were forgiven the sins they had committed against the law and were put right with God. Instead of being like children under a guardian, they now enjoyed the freedom of full-grown mature sons of God (23-26). Since the coming of Christ, all believers are united in him and are God’s children,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Galatians 4:3

Even so we = So we also. in bondage = enslaved. Greek. douloo App-190 . elements = elementary rules. Greek. stoicheion . Here, Galatians 4:9 . Colossians 2:8 , Colossians 2:20 . Hebrews 5:12 . 2Pe 3:10 , 2 Peter 3:12 . Compare Romans 2:14 , Romans 2:15 . world . Greek. kosmos . App-129 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Galatians 4:3

So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world.We ... The word here means all people, Jews and Gentiles alike, the world itself being in bondage to all kinds of rudimentary and imperfect conceptions until Christ came.Bondage ... Peter himself described the Law of Moses in this same terminology (Acts 15:10); and when one considers the incredible number of rules and regulations which were enforced by it, it becomes clear enough that it was indeed... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Galatians 4:3

Galatians 4:3. Even so we,— It is plain that St. Paul speaks here in the name of the Jews or Jewish church, which, though God's peculiar people, yet was to pass a nonage,—so St. Paul calls it,—under the restraint and tutelage of the law; and not to receive the possession of the promised inheritance till Christ came. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Galatians 4:3

3. we—the Jews primarily, and inclusively the Gentiles also. For the "we" in :- plainly refers to both Jew and Gentile believers. The Jews in their bondage to the law of Moses, as the representative people of the world, include all mankind virtually amenable to God's law (Romans 2:14; Romans 2:15; compare Note, see on Romans 2:15- :; Galatians 3:23). Even the Gentiles were under "bondage," and in a state of discipline suitable to nonage, till Christ came as the Emancipator. were in bondage—as... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Galatians 4:1-3

Already Paul had compared the Law to a prison warden (Galatians 3:22) and a baby sitter (Galatians 3:24). Now he compared it to a trustee appointed to care for a young child and his property, a guardian. The purpose of all three comparisons was to clarify the difference between the previous historical period of spiritual immaturity and the present period of spiritual freedom.Paul contrasted the spiritual immaturity of those living under the Mosaic Law with the spiritual maturity of those living... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Galatians 4:1-11

1. The domestic illustration 4:1-11Continuing his case for faith over the Mosaic Law, Paul cited an illustration from family life. He did this to clarify the condition of believers as contrasted with nomists and to warn his readers to abandon nomism. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:1-31

The Bondage of the Law. Freedom in Christ1-7. Under the Law we were in bondage; under the Gospel we have received the freedom of sons.Paraphrase. ’(1) The heir before he comes of age can no more enter upon his inheritance than a servant in the family can possess himself of it, (2) but must continue, until the set time, in a subordinate position, and under the authority and training of others. (3) So, when we were under the elementary Law system, we were in a position like that of the heir in... read more

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