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Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

Galatians 4:7

Thou art] application of the conclusion to the individual. An heir of God] RV 'an heir through' (the adopting act of) 'God.'

8-11. In the past the Galatians had been idolators, in bondage to gods that were 'no gods' at all. Now they are going back again to a similar bondage.

Paraphrase. '(8) Before your conversion you Gentiles were victims of idol-worship; (9) but now, since the true God has revealed Himself to you in Christ, how can you desire to return again to a lower plane of religious knowledge and practice? (10) This you are doing in taking up the observance of Jewish feast-days and ceremonies. (11) This action causes me to fear lest my labours on your behalf should prove to have been in vain.'

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See also Galatians 4:7 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    GALATIANS 4:7 dia. qeou/ {A} Of the several variant readings, the unusual and unexpected expression, klhrono,moj dia. qeou/, which is well supported by early and diversified witnesses (î46 a* A B C*v...

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 7. _THOU ART NO MORE A SERVANT_] Thou who hast believed in Christ art no longer a _slave_, either under the _dominion of sin_ or under _obligation_ to the Mosaic ritual; _but a son_ of God, adop...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    WHEREFORE - In consequence of this privilege of addressing God as your Father. THOU ART NO MORE - You who are Christians. A SERVANT - In the servitude of sin; or treated as a servant by being bound u...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 4 _ 1. Under the law in the state of minority. (Galatians 4:1)_ 2. The Son revealed to redeem. (Galatians 4:4) 3. Because ye are Sons; the Spirit of Sonship. (Galatians 4:6) 4. The backslid

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    An heir may be either one who is entering on his inheritance or one who is hereafter to enter on it. In a sense, the Christian inheritance is always future; heaven lies ahead. And the NT, with its str...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    This is what I mean--so long as the heir is an infant there is no difference between him and a slave, although he is owner of everything, but he is under the control of stewards and overseers until th...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE DAYS OF CHILDHOOD (Galatians 4:1-7)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    NO MORE. no longer. Greek. _ouketi_, IF. App-118. THEN AN HEIR. an heir also. OF GOD through Christ. The texts read "through God". THROUGH. Greek. _dia_ App-104.Galatians 4:1....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    The conclusion of the argument is not stated didactically, but made emphatic by its personal form, passing from -we" to -ye", from -ye" to -thou". _no more a servant_ rather NO LONGER in bondage (Gal...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    23–4:7. _The contrast between our former state of pupillage under the Law, and our present state in Christ, full sonship_ This is brought out under two aspects: I. Galatians 3:23-29. The preparative c...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΔΙᾺ ΘΕΟΥ͂ א*ABC* vulg. διὰ θεόν Ggr. θεοῦ armen. aeth. θεοῦ διὰ χριστοῦ Text. Rec. with אcC3D etc. θεοῦ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ 39. syrr. διὰ χριστοῦ Jerome. 7. ὭΣΤΕ. “So that,” after God’s work in sending...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΏΣΤΕ (G5620) следовательно. Используется, чтобы сделать вывод из предыдущего: "становится очевидно" (Ridderbos). ΟΎΚΈΤΙ (G3765) больше не. ΕΊ _praes. ind. act. от_ ΕΙΜΊ (G1510) быть, ΚΛΗΡΟΝΌΜΟΣ (G2...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    AND IF A SON, THEN AN HEIR, &C.— From the Galatians having received the Spirit, as appears ch. Galatians 3:2. St. Paul argues, that they are the _Sons of God_ without the law; consequently, _heirs_ of...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    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...

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    _ VERSE 7. WHEREFORE THOU ART NO MORE A SERVANT, BUT A SON._ VERSE 7. And if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. VERSE 7. Through Christ....

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    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 I SAY - a phrase introducing a continued explanatory argument (Ellicott). God's s...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    1 The place of an infant heir differs from that of a slave in right but not in fact. Though entitled to all, he is treated as though master of nothing. He is watched by guardians, and supervised by st...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    4:7 God. (k-15) God himself has made us heirs....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    This verse ends a long section that Paul started in 3:1. He showed clearly why the false teachers were wrong. The Christians in Galatia were no longer slaves. They were part of God’s family. They did...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    CHRIST HAS MADE US FREE GALATIANS _HELEN POCOCK_ CHAPTER 4 YOU ARE GOD’S SONS, YOU ARE NOT SLAVES V1 I will continue what I was saying to you. A young son will receive the property that his fath...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    (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 Gal...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    Thus, by your redemption, adoption, and the gift of the Spirit, it is distinctly proved that the old state of servitude and minority is past. You have entered upon the full privileges of the adult son...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 16 THE HEIR'S COMING OF AGE. Galatians 4:1 THE main thesis of the Epistle is now established. Gentile Christians, Paul has shown, are in the true Abrahamic succession of faith. And this devo...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    THERE WERE IN THE GENTILE WORLD ALSO BEFORE CHRIST CHILDREN OF GOD IN BONDAGE TO HUMAN RULE, THAT KNEW NOT THE UNSEEN FATHER IN HEAVEN WHO WAS ORDERING THEIR LIVES. THEY WERE LIKE ORPHAN CHILDREN, WHO...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    διὰ Θεοῦ. This language is unusual, and many variations are found in MSS. and versions, amidst them the Received Text Θεοῦ διὰ Χριστοῦ, but there can be little question on MS. evidence that the above...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    LIVE AS SONS, NOT AS BONDMEN Galatians 4:1 The Apostle often uses the word _elements_ or “rudiments,” Galatians 4:3; Galatians 4:9;...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    He now declared the process of freedom. "God sent forth His Son... under the law." Thus the law He kept was justified, and He lived thereby. But more than this, He bore its penalty, and so procured ju...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Wherefore thou art no more a (h) servant, but a son; and if a son, then an (i) heir of God through Christ. (h) The word "servant" is not taken here for one that lives in sin, which is appropriate for...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (4) But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6)...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    Galatians 1:1-24. We saw the second of Corinthians characterized by the most rapid transitions of feeling, by a deep and fervent sense of God's consolations, by a revulsion so much the more powerful i...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    7._Wherefore thou art no more a servant_. In the Christian Church slavery no longer exists, but the condition of the children is free. In what respect the fathers under the law were slaves, we have al...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The relative position therefore of the Jew (even though he were godly) before the coming of Christ, and of the believing Jew or Gentile when Christ had been revealed, is clearly set forth; and in the...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    WHEREFORE THOU ART NO MORE A SERVANT,.... This is a benefit resulting from adoption, and the manifestation of it to the children of God, and supposes them to have been formerly servants; as whilst in...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Ver. 7. _And if a son, &c._] _See Trapp on "_ Rom 8:17 _"_...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _But when the fulness of time_ Appointed by the Father, (Galatians 4:2,) and marked out by the predictions of the prophets for the accomplishment of this great event; _was come_ And we were arrived at...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    WHEREFORE THOU ART NO MORE A SERVANT, BUT A SON; AND IF A SON, THEN AN HEIR OF GOD THROUGH CHRIST. The apostle here gives a further explanation as to the purpose of the Law in the Old Testament, namel...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THE SONSHIP OF THE BELIEVERS OPPOSED TO THE BONDAGE OF THE LAW. The believers sons and heirs through Christ:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    HOW CHILDREN ARE ADOPTED AS SONS (vs.1-7) The first few verses of chapter 4 give us the distinctive Christian position in more detail. This position is the result of promise accomplished, as contrast...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-7 The apostle deals plainly with those who urged the law of Moses together with the gospel of Christ, and endeavoured to bring believers under its bondage. They could not fully understand the meani...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    THOU that art a believing Gentile, as well as the believing Israelites, ART NO MORE A SERVANT, not in that state of servile subjection to the law; BUT A SON; but in a more excellent state of liberty,...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. [And being made sons by the Son through the operation of faith (John 1:12), the Spirit of Christ is bestowe...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book I See how He has admitted those to be children who are under fear and sins; but has conferred manhood on those who are under faith, by calling them sons, in...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Galatians 4:7 Therefore G5620 are G1488 (G5748) longer G3765 slave G1401 but G235 son G5207 and G1161 if...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying “Abba, Father”, so that you are no longer a bondservant but a son, and if a son then an heir through God.” H...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    IF WE ARE HIS WE ARE NOW ALL FULL SONS OF GOD (GALATIANS 4:1). Now he comes to the very heart of the matter, and that is that in Jesus Christ, all who are His now become full grown, adult, children o...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    _The State of Adoption contrasted with the State of Slavery under the Law_. The Apostle proceeds to give a fuller exposition of the divine sonship and heirship, ch. Galatians 3:29, and shows that the...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Galatians 4:7. SO THAT THOU ART NO LONGER A SLAVE, BUT A SON, etc. Inference from Galatians 4:5-6. The second person individualizes and Brings it home to each reader. ‘Son,' in opposition to ‘slave,'...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    NO LONGER A BONDSERVANT (ουκετ δουλος). Slave. He changes to the singular to drive the point home to each one. The spiritual experience (Galatians 3:2) has set each one free. Each is now a son and...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Galatians 4:7 God's Offspring. I. Men were children before Christ came, ignorant and unable to take care of themselves. St. Paul told the heathen Athenians that they were God's children. He put them...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    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; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father....

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Believers full redemption from the law. Sonship through the Spirit. Dangers of lapsing into legality. Impossibility of mixing law and grace. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Paul, Abra...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Galatians 4:1. _The heir, as long as he is a child,_ and a minor, _differeth_ _nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all._ He is under guardians, till the year appointed by the will of his fath...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    NO LONGER A SLAVE. [Both the TEV and the NIV follow the corrected Greek text.] "You who have the Holy Spirit as a pledge or guarantee, are no longer a slave under The Law and driven to obey through fe...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son._ SERVITUDE AND SONSHIP I. Sonship is here contrasted with servitude. 1. It is a change from ignorance to knowledge. 2. A change from bondage to se...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GALATIANS—NOTE ON GALATIANS 4:6 BECAUSE YOU ARE SONS. Because Christians are now sons, they may receive the inheritance. This begins with the promised SPIRIT OF HIS SON. ABBA is t

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 4 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. He continues the argument of the preceding chapter that the Jews, like children and slaves, were under the Jewish law as a pædagague, while Christians, as sons o...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Galatians 4:1. THE HEIR, AS LONG AS HE IS A CHILD.—An infant, one under age. DIFFERETH NOTHING FROM A SERVANT.—A slave. He is not at his own disposal. He could not pe...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION GALATIANS 4:1 NOW I SAY (λέγω δέ). A form of expression usual with the apostle when introducing a new statement designed either to explain or elucidate something before said (of. Galati...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Now I say, That an heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father (Galatians 4:1-2...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 3:21; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Galatians 3:26; Galatians 3:29;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Servant [δ ο υ λ ο ς]. Bondservant. See on Matthew 20:26; Mark 9:35; Romans 1:1. Then an heir [κ α ι κ λ η ρ ο ν ο μ ο ς]. Kai marks the logical sequence. Comp. Roma

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    TURNING UNTO LAW-WORKS Galatians 4:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. It is passing strange that, after we have come to know salvation by grace, we could turn back to the beggarly elements of salvation by law...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Wherefore thou — Who believest in Christ. Art no more a servant — Like those who are under the law. But a son — Of mature age. And if a son, then an heir of all the promises, and of the all — sufficie...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Note here, 1. That the spirit of the first covenant was. servile spirit,. spirit of fear and bondage, and they that were under that covenant, were rather servants than sons; not but that true believer...

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