4:1 as the heir is a child In Paul’s time, children received their inheritance when they came of age. Until then, they had neither decision-making rights nor freedom.

no different from a slave Under Roman law, underage children could not exercise legal power over their inheritance; their status was almost identical to that of a slave. Paul uses this analogy to illustrate the condition of those living under the law.

4:3 when we were children, we were enslaved Paul applies the contrast he has been developing to the Galatians (Gal 4:1–2). As an underage child or slave, there is no possession or inheritance, no decision-making rights, and no freedom.

under the elemental spirits Paul’s language here could refer to basic religious teachings that contradict the gospel; the material parts of the universe, such as water, earth, and fire; or spiritual powers, such as evil spirits and demonic entities. In this verse, the first interpretation represents the best option. In v. 9, Paul likely refers to one of the second two interpretations (see note on v. 9). Ultimately, Paul makes it clear that these entities are negative influences (vv. 8–9).

New Testament Terms for Unseen Divine Beings

4:4 when the fullness of time came With this phrase, Paul brings together the idea of coming of age and the coming of Jesus. Paul stresses that the life, death, and resurrection of Christ occurred according to the plan of God (v. 2).

born under the law Refers to Jesus’ identity as a Jew. He was born into the people who lived according to God’s law. Refers to the incarnation of Jesus—when the eternal Son of God became a human being (John 1:14).

4:5 redeem The Greek word used here, exagorazō, is a legal term meaning “buy out.” The idea is that Christ’s death has bought freedom for those who are enslaved to the law.

adoption A well-known legal procedure in the Roman Empire. The ot portrays God as adopting Israel when He delivered the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt (Exod 4:22–23; Hos 11:1).

4:6 you are sons Those who have faith in Christ have grown up. They are no longer children (nēpios; see note on Gal 4:1) without inheritance and freedom; they are sons (huioi).

sent out the Spirit of his Son God not only sent His Son (vv. 4; John 3:16)—He sent the Spirit of the Son. The indwelling presence of the Spirit legitimizes the Galatians’ identity as children of God.

crying out, “Abba! (Father)” See note on Rom 8:15.

4:8 you did not know God A common way for Paul to describe Gentiles—people of non-Jewish origin (1 Thess 4:5; 2 Thess 1:8; Titus 1:16). Estrangement from the living God means being subject to other forces and powers.

4:9 weak and miserable elemental spirits Here, Paul may be referring to the law, spiritual beings, or astral deities. Since Paul speaks to both Jews and Gentiles, he may be using the term in different ways with each audience (see Gal 4:3 and note).

4:10 days and months and seasons and years The law commanded special observances at various times (e.g., Lev 23:5, 16, 28; 25:4). The agitators likely convinced the Galatian believers that keeping the law was compatible with the gospel.

Israelite Festivals Table

4:11 labored for you in vain Paul often expresses his fear that his apostolic work would be ruined by the failure of his churches (e.g., Phil 2:16; 1 Thess 3:5). The Galatians’ predicament threatens the effectiveness of his ministry efforts.

4:12 become like me Paul regularly charged his disciples to imitate him (1 Cor 4:16; 11:1; Phil 3:17). His life modeled the type of loving service and sacrifice that Jesus required of His disciples (Luke 22:24–27).

4:13 an illness of the flesh The nature of this situation is unknown. Paul might have had trouble with his eyesight that prompted aid from the Galatians (Gal 4:14–15).

4:17 They zealously seek you In Paul’s view, the agitators are motivated by self-centered divisiveness. They are not truly interested in the well-being of the Galatians—unlike Paul, who regards them as his children in the Lord (v. 19).

4:19 for whom I am having birth pains Paul employs an evocative metaphor to depict the strained status of his relationship with the Galatians.

4:21 do you not understand the law Paul already stated that God sent His Son to redeem those under the law, the Jewish people (Gal 4:5). The implication is that by putting themselves under the law through circumcision, food laws, and calendar observance, the Galatians would be rejecting God’s gift and missing the purpose of the law altogether.

4:22 Abraham had two sons Paul is referencing Gen 16–17; 21. The two sons are Ishmael (Abraham’s son with Hagar, an Egyptian slave) and Isaac (the son of Abraham and his wife, Sarah).

4:23 through the promise Isaac’s birth fulfilled the promise to Abraham; it was the work of God.

4:24 spoken allegorically In Paul’s interpretation (which runs through Gal 4:31), the true sons of Abraham are the children of promise, not law.

4:25 Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia Paul links Hagar, a slave, with the idea of enslavement to the law (represented by Mount Sinai, where Yahweh gave His law to the Israelites; Exod 20). The term “Arabia” could refer to a wide range of geographical areas. The reference to Jerusalem associates Hagar with the Jewish people—those who live under the law.

4:26 the Jerusalem above Refers to God’s heavenly dwelling place, which Paul associates with Sarah, the free woman (Gal 4:23, 31).

4:27 Rejoice, O barren woman This quotation comes from Isa 54:1. Although the verse does not refer specifically to Sarah, Paul recognizes a connection because Genesis describes Sarah as barren (Gen 11:30).

4:28 children of the promise, just as Isaac This phrase expresses the great reversal brought about by Christ: Gentiles (non-Jewish people) are part of God’s family, like Jews. Isaac was Abraham’s biological son, the child God had promised to him. The Galatians—including many Gentiles—are now considered children of the promise. Common to both are faith and the certainty of God’s promise.

4:29 persecuted the child born according to the Spirit Refers to Gen 21:9–10 where Ishmael ridicules Isaac, prompting Sarah to drive out Ishmael and Hagar.

4:30 Drive out the female slave and her son This quotation is from Gen 21:10. Ishmael, representing the law, cannot share the inheritance of Isaac, the child of promise.

Slavery in the First Century

4:31 not children of the female slave This verse summarizes Paul’s argument in this section, based on his allegorical reading of Gen 16–17; 21. Through faith, Christians are children of promise, like Isaac. They inherit God’s blessing to Abraham apart from the law.