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John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Galatians 4:1

Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;Now — To illustrate by a plain similitude the preeminence of the Christian, over the legal, dispensation.The heir, as long as he is a child — As he is under age.Differeth nothing from a servant — Not being at liberty either to use or enjoy his estate.Though he be lord — Proprietor of it all. read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:1

1. The heir Whether the father be living or not, he is heir. The divine Father ever lives. Child Literally, an infant; but the word is intended to cover the whole period of minority, which, by Roman law, terminated at twenty-five. Differeth nothing from a servant That is, in the respects mentioned in the next verse. Lord of all That is, inherently and by law; though externally subjected for his own good to the judgment of others. So the child of God, a servant in exterior, is... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 4:1-8

5. The development from Judaism or Gentilism to Christianity, parallel to the development from childhood into manhood, Galatians 4:1-8. Paul here unfolds, with marked clearness, his “doctrine of development,” and charges therefrom that the Galatians have reversed the law of progress, and “advanced backwards.” He had hinted this view in Galatians 3:3; Galatians 3:25, and now fully expands the view. In the present chapter, Galatians 4:1-2 describe the child in pupilage and advancement;... read more

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