Galatians 4
Lutheran reading notes
In Galatians chapter 4, the message of the gospel develops the theme of freedom in Christ and justification by faith. Lutheran interpretation frequently emphasizes the proclamation of Christ, the distinction between law and gospel, and the promise of justification through faith.
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;
Galatians 4:1 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Galatians 4:2 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: {elements: or, rudiments}
Galatians 4:3 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Galatians 4:4 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Galatians 4:5 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Galatians 4:6 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Galatians 4:7 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
Galatians 4:8 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? {turn ye again: or, turn ye back} {elements: or, rudiments}
Galatians 4:9 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11
I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Galatians 4:11 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
Brethren, I beseech you, be as I {am}; for I {am} as ye {are}: ye have not injured me at all.
Galatians 4:12 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
Galatians 4:13 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, {even} as Christ Jesus.
Galatians 4:14 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if {it had been} possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. {Where...: or, What was then}
Galatians 4:15 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Galatians 4:16 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
They zealously affect you, {but} not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. {exclude you: or, exclude us}
Galatians 4:17 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
But {it is} good to be zealously affected always in {a} good {thing}, and not only when I am present with you.
Galatians 4:18 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
Galatians 4:19 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. {I stand...: or, I am perplexed for you}
Galatians 4:20 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
Galatians 4:21 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
Galatians 4:22 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23
But he {who was} of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman {was} by promise.
Galatians 4:23 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24
Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. {covenants: or, testaments} {Sinai: Gr. Sina}
Galatians 4:24 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25
For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. {answereth to: or, is in the same rank with}
Galatians 4:25 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
26
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Galatians 4:26 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
27
For it is written, Rejoice, {thou} barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Galatians 4:27 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
28
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Galatians 4:28 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
29
But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him {that was born} after the Spirit, even so {it is} now.
Galatians 4:29 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
30
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
Galatians 4:30 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
31
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Galatians 4:31 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.