Galatians 4:1-3 NLT,NIV,ESV

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 4:1-7

The illustration 4:1-7 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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 4:1

(1) Now I say.—This phrase introduces a further and fuller explanation of what is involved in the state of nonage, as compared with that of adult freedom.A child—i.e., an infant, a minor; though the term is not technically chosen.Differeth nothing from a servant.—Both the child and the slave were incapable of any valid act in a legal sense; the guardian was as entirely the representative of the one as the master of the other. Both the child and the slave were subject to the same restraint,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 4:1-7

(1-7) A further description, continued from the last chapter, of the state of wardship, with its restraints and servitude, compared with that Christian freedom—the freedom of sons—to which the Galatians had been admitted through their adoption into the Messianic family by adhesion to Christ.It may be observed that the allusions to the condition of minors are not in strict accordance either with Jewish or Roman law. It has been suggested that they have reference to a special code current in... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 4:2

(2) Under tutors and governors.—The distinction between these two terms is that between guardians of the person and stewards of the property. It would be better to translate, guardians and stewards.Until the time appointed of the father.—From this it would appear that the length of the minority was determined by the father. This, however, was not the case either in Greek or Roman law; and the suggestion that the father may have had larger powers in Galatia than elsewhere, though supported by... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 4:3

(3) We.—That is, in the first instance, and specially, the Jews; but the Gentiles are also included. The Apostle is speaking from the point of view of the Christians: “all who are now Christians, whatever their antecedents.” Before the coming of Christ both Jews and Gentiles had been subject to law; and what the Apostle says of the law of Moses applies more faintly to the law of conscience and of nature.Elements of the world.—The word translated “elements” is peculiar. The simpler word from... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Galatians 4:1-31

The Incarnation Galatians 4:4 Of all births this Bethlehem birth was the most unique. A superhuman life demands a superhuman birth. Let us gaze reverently into the abyssmal depths of that manger-cradle in the Bethlehem-khan. I. The first question that presents itself to us is this: 'Was it necessary that God should more fully reveal Himself to man?' We reply in the affirmative. Man had quarrelled with God; and to a rebel sinner the dim light of Nature and Providence was wholly insufficient.... read more

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

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

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Galatians 4:1-7

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

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

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 4:1

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 4:1-7

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 4:2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 4:3

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Galatians 4:1-31

Group of Brands