This week we continue our study in Galatians chapter 4: 1-7, titled 'Not a Slave But A Son'.


Not a Slave But A Son
(Gal. 4:1-7)

I. What we were in the past (v.1-3)
A. Before adoption, one was no different than a slave. (v.1-2)
B. Before adoption, one was also held in the bondage of spiritual ignorance. (v.3)

II. What God did (v.4-5)
A. God’s ushered in a plan of redemption in Christ. (v.4-5)
a. How Jesus Came (v.4)
1. According to the right time (v.4a)
2. According to the right means (v.4b)
3. According to the right economy [Rom. 8:3-4] (v.4c)

b. Why Jesus Came (v.5)
1. To redeem those who would trust in Him.

III. Who We Are in the present (v.6-7)
A. God has bestowed both sonship and privilege to those in Christ.

a. Our inheritance in Christ
1. Includes ruling and reigning with Christ in His kingdom. [Lk. 22:29-30; 1 Cor. 6:2-3; Rev. 20:4; Rev. 3:21; Rev. 21:7; Rev. 2:25]
2. Includes crowns and personal accolades.
- 1 Cor. 9:25 – “crown incorruptible for faithfulness”
- 1 Thes. 2:19 – “crown of rejoicing for a joyful life”
- 2 Tim. 4:8 – “crown of righteousness for loving Christ through actions”
- James 1:12 – “crown of life for personal obedience”
- 1 Peter 5:4 – “shepherd’s crown for faithful pastoring”
- Rev. 2:10 – “crown of life for those persecuted”


Points to Ponder:
1. Every believer is made a child of God through faith alone in Christ alone and is promised an inheritance as an heir.
2. Every Christian will have a portion of inheritance but this is determined by how well one lives as an “adult son” in the family.
3. The appeal to every believer is grow up in the faith and take hold of your inheritance in Christ.





John F. MacArthur Jr., Galatians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1983), 105, 108.

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S. Lewis Johnson, The Greatest Commission An Exposition of Galatians 4:1–7, EMJ 14:1 (Summer 2005), 48.

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1996), 706.

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Donald K. Campbell, “Galatians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 601.

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Thomas R. Schreiner, Galatians, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010), 271.

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