Galatians 4:1-14

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 4:14

(14) My temptation which was in my flesh.—The true reading is here, your temptation in my flesh—i.e., my bodily infirmities, which might have been a temptation to you to reject me. St. Paul seems to have suffered from grievous bodily infirmity, which he elsewhere (2 Corinthians 12:7) describes as a “thorn (or rather, stake) in the flesh.” The effects of this were seen in his personal appearance, which his enemies described as “mean” (2 Corinthians 10:10); and he himself felt it as a corrective... 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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:1-7

Chapter 16THE HEIR’S COMING OF AGE.Galatians 4:1-7THE main thesis of the Epistle is now established. Gentile Christians, Paul has shown, are in the true Abrahamic succession of faith. And this devolution of the Promise discloses the real intent of the Mosaic law, as an intermediate and disciplinary system. Christ was the heir of Abraham’s testament; He was therefore the end of Moses’ law. And those who are Christ’s inherit the blessings of the Promise, while they escape the curse and... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:8-11

Chapter 17THE RETURN TO BONDAGE.Galatians 4:8-11"Sons of God, whom He made His heirs in Christ, how are you turning back to legal bondage!" Such is the appeal with which the Apostle follows up his argument. "Foolish Galatians," we seem to hear him say again, "who has bewitched you into this?" They forget the call of the Divine grace; they turn away from the sight of Christ crucified; nay, they are renouncing their adoption into the family of God. Paul knew something of the fickleness of human... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Galatians 4:12-20

Chapter 18PAUL’S ENTREATY.Galatians 4:12-20THE reproof of the last paragraph ended in a sigh. To see Christ’s freemen relapsing into bondage, and exchanging their Divine birthright for childish toys of ceremonial, what can be more saddening and disappointing than this? Their own experience of salvation, the Apostle’s prayers and toils on their behalf, are, to all appearance, wasted on these foolish Galatians. One resource is still left him. He has refuted and anathematised the "other gospel."... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Galatians 4:1-31

CHAPTER 4 1. Under the law in the state of minority. (Galatians 4:1-3 ) 2. The Son revealed to redeem. (Galatians 4:4-5 ) 3. Because ye are Sons; the Spirit of Sonship. (Galatians 4:6-7 ) 4. The backsliding Galatians. (Galatians 4:8-20 ) 5. The sons of the bondwoman and of the free woman. (Galatians 4:21-31 ) Jewish believers were, before Christ had died, the children of God, and as such they did not differ from servants. They were in a state of minority, as children who do not know the... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Galatians 4:1

4:1 Now {1} I say, [That] the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;(1) He declares by another twofold similitude, that which he said before concerning the keeper and schoolmaster. For, he says, the Law (that is, the whole government of God’s house according to the Law) was as it were a tutor or overseer appointed for a time. And when that protection and overseeing which was but for a time is ended, we would at length come to be at our own... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Galatians 4:2

4:2 But is under tutors and governors {a} until the time appointed of the father.(a) This is added because he that is always under a tutor or governor may hardly be considered a freeman. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Galatians 4:3

4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the {b} elements of the world:(b) The Law is called elements, because by the Law God instructed his Church as it were by elements, and afterward poured out his Holy Spirit most plentifully in the time of the Gospel. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Galatians 4:4

4:4 {2} But when the {c} fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a {d} woman, made under the law,(2) He utters and declares many things at once, that is, that this tutorship was ended at his time, in order that curious men may stop asking why the schoolmastership lasted so long. And moreover, that we are not sons by nature, but by adoption, and that in the Son of God, who therefore took upon him our flesh, that we might be made his brethren.(c) The time is said to be full... read more

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