Galatians 4:5-7

TEXT 4:5-7

(5) that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6) And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (7) So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

PARAPHRASE 4:5-7

5 That, by his obedience unto death, he might buy off Jews and Gentiles who were under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons; that we Gentiles might be made the people of God, and receive the blessings belonging to the people of God, by being introduced into the gospel church.
6 And because ye believing Jews and Gentiles are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, by whose gifts, being assured that ye are God's sons, ye can address him in prayer with confidence, calling him, each in your own language, Abba, Father.
7 So that thou who possessest the gifts of the Spirit art no more a bond-man, under law as a rule of justification, and driven to obey by the fear of punishment; but a son actuated by love: and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

COMMENT 4:5

that he might redeem

1.

Redeem means to pay down a price for them.

2.

Redeembuying them off from the necessity of observing circumcision, and offering brute sacrifices.

3.

This states the result of Jesus-' coming.

4.

This states a fulfillment of Genesis 22:18 In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.

that we might receive the adoption of sons

1.

Christ made it possible, but we have a responsibility.

a.

Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be to you a Father and ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:17

b.

To be adopted by God is a distinct honor.

c.

On earth we do not have the privilege to select our father but we do for eternity.

d.

This gives us the right to call God Father. Cf. Galatians 4:6

2.

In this relationship we become joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Cf. Romans 8:17

WORD STUDY 4:5

Adoption (huiothesiahwee oh theh SEE ah) was fairly common in the ancient world. Among other things, the adoption caused:

1.

A new name

2.

An inheritance

3.

A cancellation of previous debts and obligations.

An early papyrus document records these words:

And I have him as my own son so that the rights. to my inheritance shall be maintained for him.

COMMENT 4:6

and because ye are sons

1.

The Spirit was not sent to make us sons, but is sent when we become sons.

2.

Sonship comes as a result of the adoption process as a result of faith.

a.

As many as received Him to them He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12

b.

The promise of the Spirit is made to the repentant and obedient ones. Acts 2:38

God sent forth the Spirit of his Son

1.

The Spirit of slavery to the devil must depart in order for Christ's spirit to come in.

2.

The Spirit is the Spirit of Christ.

a.

Since Christ through His work has received our adoption as sons, His Spirit can be sent to those who belong to Him.

b.

Galatians 3:26 says we are Sons by faith. And Galatians 3:27 says by baptism we get into Christ and put Him on.

c.

Faith, baptism and the Spirit of Christ, are inseparable.

3.

The outpouring of the Spirit belonged to the promised Messiah. Cf. Joel 2:28-29

into our hearts

1.

Proper faith and baptism must concern the earnest person who desires the spirit of Christ in his heart.

a.

What Scriptural Baptism Requires:

Water, Acts 10:47; Acts 8:36-38

Much water, John 3:23

Going to water, Mark 1:9

Going down into water, Acts 8:38

Coming up out of water, Mark 1:10; Acts 8:39

Born of water, John 3:5

Form of burial, Colossians 2:12

Form of Resurrection, Romans 6:4

Bodies washed, Hebrews 10:22

Immersion meets all the requirements of Scriptural baptism, while sprinkling only meets onewater.

Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say, Luke 6:46. If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments, John 14:15.

b.

Results Following Bible Baptism:

Sins remitted, Acts 2:38

Gift of the Holy Ghost, Acts 2:38

In Christ, Galatians 3:27

In the Church, 1 Corinthians 12:13

A good Conscience, 1 Peter 3:21

A Christian Life, Romans 6:4

Heaven, Revelation 22:14

2.

The heart is the center of ones will and affections and therefore will not have Christ's Spirit until submitted to His will.

crying, Abba, Father

1.

It is in Christ that we cry to God.

a.

We have here an Aramaic and Greek word with the same meaning.

b.

They were the two languages in which Christians of that day worshipped God.

c.

With the fulfillment of the prophecies (Cf. Isaiah 44:3) concerning the Messiah, men were permitted to call God, Abba.

2.

It seems that Jesus originated the use of the word, Abba. Cf. Mark 14:36

a.

Jesus could do this, because of His fellowship with God.

b.

We can do it, if we have a proper obedience.

3.

This is a unique statement.

a.

It fulfills Messianic prophecies. Cf. Jeremiah 3:19; Jeremiah 31:9; Psalms 89:27.

b.

It has four limitations in time.

1)

It belongs to the time of the fulfillment of the promise.

2)

The time of the inheritance.

3)

The time of freedom.

4)

The time of sonship.

4.

Those who go back to the law, depart from this great truth that made this wonderful relationship possible.

WORD STUDY 4:6

Abba was the Aramaic word for father used in the intimacy of the family circle. The term expresses a feeling of love, confidence, and intimate fellowship. It does not, however, imply any flippancy or lack of respect as do sometimes our English words Pop or Daddy.

COMMENT 4:7

Thou art no longer a bondservant

1.

He who could receive the Spirit and pray Abba Father has no reason to go back to bondage.

a.

The Christian is a faithful person who has grown up to be an heir.

b.

The Christian has been redeemed by Christ and has changed relationship from a child who was a bondservant to a mature person who is an heir.

c.

This was the whole purpose of the fulness of time.

2.

Two things from which man is free:

a.

Power, dominion of sin. Cf. Romans 8:2; Romans 8:13

b.

The Mosaic law. Galatians 4:8-10; Galatians 3:24

But a Son

1.

Sons have many advantages.

a.

An inheritance. Romans 8:17

b.

Freedom. Galatians 5:1

c.

Fellowship with the Father as sons. John 1:11; Cf. 1 John 1:3; 1 John 1:6-7

2.

The Christian must appreciate this new relationship and never go back to the world.

a.

Like a dog and hog. 2 Peter 2:20

b.

... whose end is to be burned. Hebrews 6:4

if a Son then an heir

1.

As a member of the family we have a right to the properties.

a.

We are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

b.

This means into the possessions of the one so namedaccording to some Greek usages in natural life.

2.

It is an inheritance of another world where the treasures can not be destroyedand are eternal.

a.

Cf. Jesus-' statement in Matthew 6:19

b.

Cf. Peter's statement in 1 Peter 1:4

c.

Cf. Paul's statement in Hebrews 9:15

through God

1.

This verse does not eliminate Christ and His part.

2.

Divine truth is never expressed fully in one verse in the language of man.

STUDY QUESTIONS 4:5-7

441.

Does this verse answer why Christ was born under the law?

442.

If He could redeem Gentiles, who were not under the law of Moses, why could He not redeem the Jews also?

443.

What law is referred to here?

444.

In what way are we sons according to this verse?

445.

Did He send His Spirit to make us sons?

446.

Is the Spirit of His Son, the same as the Spirit promised on Pentecost?

447.

Does the promise of the Comforter refer to this same Spirit?

448.

What is the significance of into hearts?

449.

What does the word Abba mean?

450.

Why did Paul use two different languages here?

451.

What state did we leave when we accepted Christ?

452.

What does a son have that a bondservant does not?

453.

Why do men reject the privilege to be an heir and remain in bondage?

454.

What all is involved in heirship?

455.

Do we have a property right to God's wealth?