Galatians 4:7

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 sending His Son to redeem us who were under the law (Galatians 4:4), and sending the Spirit of His Son into our hearts (Galatians 4:6), confirms the conclusion (Galatians 3:29) that we are "heirs according to the promise." THE HEIR - not, as in earthly inheritances, the father's death, but our Father's sovereign will, makes us heirs. CHILD, [ neepios (G3516...

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 already inquired; for their freedom was not yet revealed, but was hidden under the coverings and yoke of the law. Our attention is again directed to the distinction between the Old and New Testaments. The ancients were also sons of God, and heirs through Christ, but we hold the same character in a different manner; for we have Christ present with us, and in that manner enjoy his blessings....

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 meaning of the law as given by Moses. And as that was a dispensation of darkness, so of bondage; they were tied to many burdensome rites and observances, by which they were taught and kept subject like a child under tutors and governors. We learn the happier state of Christians under the gospel dispensation. From these verses see the wonders of Divine love and mercy; particularly of God the Father, in sending his Son into the world to redeem and save us; of the Son of God, in submitting so low, and suffering so much for us; and of the Holy Spirit, in condescending to dwell in the hearts of believers, for such gracious purposes. Also, the advantages Christians enjoy under the gospel. Although by n...

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, adopted into the heavenly family. _AND IF A SON, THEN AN HEIR_] Having a right to the _inheritance_, because _one_ of the _family_, for none can _inherit_ but the _children_; but this heirship is the most extraordinary of all: it is not an heirship of any _tangible possession_, either in _heaven_ or _earth_; it is not to possess a _part_ or even the _whole_ of _either,_ it is to possess _Him_ who made all things; not God's _works_, but God _himself_: heirs of GOD through Christ....

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 under the oppressive rites and ceremonies of the Law; compare the note at Galatians 4:3 BUT A SON - A child of God, adopted into his family, and to be treated as a son. AND IF A SON ... - Entitled to all the privileges of a son, and of course to be regarded as an heir through the Redeemer, and with him. See the sentiment here expressed explained in the the note at Romans 8:17....

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. Galatians 3:17; Galatians 5:16; Romans 15:8, according to the Received Text; 1 Corinthians 1:12. So τοῦτο δέ φημι, 1 Corinthians 7:29;...

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 a natural state they were the servants of sin, the vassals of Satan, slaves to the world, and the lusts of it, and in bondage to the law; but now being declared to be the sons of God under the witnessings of the Spirit, they are freed from the servitude of sin, from the captivity of Satan, from the slavery of the world, and particularly from the law, and that spirit of bondage which it brought upon them, which is chiefly designed; and from which they are delivered by the spirit of adoption, enabling and encouraging them to cry "Abba", Father; so that they are now no more under the former servile spirit, the spirit of a servant, BUT A SON; whose spirit, state, and case, are vastly different...

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. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: but when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons._ Like little children, the Jewish believers were under the law. They observed this ceremony and that, just as children, even though they may be heirs to vast estates, yet, while they are in their minority, are under tutors and governors. But now in Christ we have come of age, and we have done with those school-books and that tutorship, and we have received the adoption of sons. Now, we have joy and peace in belie

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*vid 33 itg, r vg copbo Clement _al_), seems to account best for the origin of the other readings. In the context one would expect that dia, would be followed by the genitive of Cristou/ as the Mediator, rather than qeou/ as the source of the inheritance (nevertheless, on occasion Paul does use dia, with qeou/, e.g....

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 backsliding Galatians. (Galatians 4:8) 5. The sons of the bondwoman and of the free woman. (Galatians 4:21) 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 father's thoughts, nor cou