Thematic Bible
Galatians 4:1 (show verse)
Now what I mean [when I talk about children and their guardians] is this: as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave even though he is the [future owner and] master of all [the estate];
Galatians 4:2 (show verse)
but he is under [the authority of] guardians and household administrators or managers until the date set by his father [when he is of legal age].
Childhood » Marks of » Need of rulers
Children » Tutors and governors for
Children » Male » Under the care of tutors, till they came of age
Children » Minors
spiritual Immaturity » Necessity for tutelage
Marks » Of childhood » Need of rulers
Minors » Legal status of
Spiritual » Immaturity » Necessity for tutelage
Children » Tutors and governors for
Children » Male » Under the care of tutors, till they came of age
Children » Minors
spiritual Immaturity » Necessity for tutelage
Marks » Of childhood » Need of rulers
Minors » Legal status of
Spiritual » Immaturity » Necessity for tutelage
Galatians 4:3 (show verse)
So also we [whether Jews or Gentiles], when we were children (spiritually immature), were kept like slaves under the elementary [man-made religious or philosophical] teachings of the world.
Bondage, spiritual » Is to sin
spiritual Immaturity » Necessity for tutelage
Inheritance » Who is an heir of God through Christ
Law » Christ being the end of the law
Christian Liberty » Is freedom from » Jewish ordinances
Christian Liberty » Conferred » By Christ
Spiritual » Immaturity » Necessity for tutelage
spiritual Immaturity » Necessity for tutelage
Inheritance » Who is an heir of God through Christ
Law » Christ being the end of the law
Christian Liberty » Is freedom from » Jewish ordinances
Christian Liberty » Conferred » By Christ
Spiritual » Immaturity » Necessity for tutelage
Galatians 4:4 (show verse)
But when [in God’s plan] the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the [regulations of the] Law,
Adoption » Is through Christ
Atonement » Made by jesus » Divinely ordained
Christ » Humanity of Christ » General references to
Christ » Humanity of » General references to
Flesh » The son of God (jesus Christ) becoming flesh
Fulness » Of time
the Human nature of Christ » Was necessary to his mediatorial office
the Human nature of Christ » Was of the seed of » The woman
Humility of Christ » General references to
Inheritance » Who is an heir of God through Christ
Law » Christ being the end of the law
the Law of moses » Christ » Made under
Christian Liberty » Conferred » By Christ
The promises of God » Are » Performed in due season
Redemption » Procures for us » Adoption
Redemption » Christ sent to effect
Time » Of the spirit delay in use of » Divisions
Time » All God's purposes fulfilled in due time
Time » Fullness of
Atonement » Made by jesus » Divinely ordained
Christ » Humanity of Christ » General references to
Christ » Humanity of » General references to
Flesh » The son of God (jesus Christ) becoming flesh
Fulness » Of time
the Human nature of Christ » Was necessary to his mediatorial office
the Human nature of Christ » Was of the seed of » The woman
Humility of Christ » General references to
Inheritance » Who is an heir of God through Christ
Law » Christ being the end of the law
the Law of moses » Christ » Made under
Christian Liberty » Conferred » By Christ
The promises of God » Are » Performed in due season
Redemption » Procures for us » Adoption
Redemption » Christ sent to effect
Time » Of the spirit delay in use of » Divisions
Time » All God's purposes fulfilled in due time
Time » Fullness of
Galatians 4:5 (show verse)
so that He might redeem and liberate those who were under the Law, that we [who believe] might be adopted as sons [as God’s children with all rights as fully grown members of a family].
Adoption » Is through Christ
Atonement » Made by jesus » Divinely ordained
the Human nature of Christ » Was necessary to his mediatorial office
the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit » A proof of adoption
Inheritance » Who is an heir of God through Christ
Law » Christ being the end of the law
Christian Liberty » Conferred » By Christ
Redemption » Procures for us » Adoption
Redemption » Christ sent to effect
Redemption » Is from » The bondage of the law
Atonement » Made by jesus » Divinely ordained
the Human nature of Christ » Was necessary to his mediatorial office
the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit » A proof of adoption
Inheritance » Who is an heir of God through Christ
Law » Christ being the end of the law
Christian Liberty » Conferred » By Christ
Redemption » Procures for us » Adoption
Redemption » Christ sent to effect
Redemption » Is from » The bondage of the law
Galatians 4:6 (show verse)
And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!”
Abba » Father
Adoption » Saints receive the spirit of
Assurance » Adoption into God's family » Bearing witness to the spiritual adoption of believers
Communion » With God
Heir » Figurative
Holy spirit » The holy spirit being sent by God
Holy spirit » Believers in the early church baptized with » Bearing witness to the spiritual adoption of believers
Holy spirit » Baptism of » Witness of
Inheritance » Who is an heir of God through Christ
Law » Christ being the end of the law
Names » Of the holy spirit » Spirit of the son
Prayer » The holy ghost » As the spirit of adoptions, leads to
Sending and those sent » The holy spirit being sent by God
Servants » Who is not a mere servant
Spirit » Believers in the early church baptized with » Bearing witness to the spiritual adoption of believers
Witness » Sufferings of » Of the spirit
Adoption » Saints receive the spirit of
Assurance » Adoption into God's family » Bearing witness to the spiritual adoption of believers
Communion » With God
Heir » Figurative
Holy spirit » The holy spirit being sent by God
Holy spirit » Believers in the early church baptized with » Bearing witness to the spiritual adoption of believers
Holy spirit » Baptism of » Witness of
Inheritance » Who is an heir of God through Christ
Law » Christ being the end of the law
Names » Of the holy spirit » Spirit of the son
Prayer » The holy ghost » As the spirit of adoptions, leads to
Sending and those sent » The holy spirit being sent by God
Servants » Who is not a mere servant
Spirit » Believers in the early church baptized with » Bearing witness to the spiritual adoption of believers
Witness » Sufferings of » Of the spirit
Galatians 4:7 (show verse)
Therefore you are no longer a slave (bond-servant), but a son; and if a son, then also an heir through [the gracious act of] God [through Christ].
Adoption » Entitles to an inheritance
Heir » Figurative
Heirs » Spiritual » Spiritual
Holy spirit » The holy spirit being sent by God
Inheritance » Who is an heir of God through Christ
Law » Christ being the end of the law
Sending and those sent » The holy spirit being sent by God
Servants » Who is not a mere servant
Sons » Of God
Spiritual » Hearing » Heirs of God
Titles and names of saints » Heirs of God
Heir » Figurative
Heirs » Spiritual » Spiritual
Holy spirit » The holy spirit being sent by God
Inheritance » Who is an heir of God through Christ
Law » Christ being the end of the law
Sending and those sent » The holy spirit being sent by God
Servants » Who is not a mere servant
Sons » Of God
Spiritual » Hearing » Heirs of God
Titles and names of saints » Heirs of God
Galatians 4:8 (show verse)
But at that time, when you did not know [the true] God and were unacquainted with Him, you [Gentiles] were slaves to those [pagan] things which by [their very] nature were not and could not be gods at all.
Idolatry » Objects of, described as » No gods
Ignorance of God » Exemplified » Gentiles
Images » False gods and Goddesses » General references to
Law » Christ being the end of the law
false Worship » False gods and Goddesses » General references to
FALSE » False gods and Goddesses » General references to
FALSE » Economy » God's
Ignorance of God » Exemplified » Gentiles
Images » False gods and Goddesses » General references to
Law » Christ being the end of the law
false Worship » False gods and Goddesses » General references to
FALSE » False gods and Goddesses » General references to
FALSE » Economy » God's
Galatians 4:9 (show verse)
Now, however, since you have come to know [the true] God [through personal experience], or rather to be known by God, how is it that you are turning back again to the weak and worthless elemental principles [of religions and philosophies], to which you want to be enslaved all over again?
Backsliders » Instances of » Galatians
Backsliding » Results of » Bondage to forms
Ceremonialism » False religion, characteristics of
Divine Knowledge » God's knowledge of the saints » True love recognized
saints Known » True love recognized
Law » Christ being the end of the law
Religion » Characteristics of » Ceremonialism
FALSE » Religion characteristics of » Ceremonialism
Backsliding » Results of » Bondage to forms
Ceremonialism » False religion, characteristics of
Divine Knowledge » God's knowledge of the saints » True love recognized
saints Known » True love recognized
Law » Christ being the end of the law
Religion » Characteristics of » Ceremonialism
FALSE » Religion characteristics of » Ceremonialism
Galatians 4:10 (show verse)
[For example,] you observe [particular] days and months and seasons and years.
Galatians 4:11 (show verse)
I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored [to the point of exhaustion] over you in vain.
Backsliders » Instances of » Galatians
Care » Paul's care of the church
Church » For other leaders » Paul's care for
Church » Care of » Paul's care of
Formalism » Warnings against
Law » Christ being the end of the law
Ministers » Call of, examples of » Care for the church
Paul's » Care for the church
Religion » Formalism » Warnings against
Care » Paul's care of the church
Church » For other leaders » Paul's care for
Church » Care of » Paul's care of
Formalism » Warnings against
Law » Christ being the end of the law
Ministers » Call of, examples of » Care for the church
Paul's » Care for the church
Religion » Formalism » Warnings against
Galatians 4:12 (show verse)
Believers, I beg of you, become as I am [free from the bondage of Jewish ritualism and ordinances], for I have become as you are [a Gentile]. You did me no wrong [when I first came to you; do not do it now].
No Themes for this verse.
Galatians 4:13 (show verse)
On the contrary, you know that it was because of a physical illness that I [remained and] preached the gospel to you the first time;
Galatians 4:14 (show verse)
and even though my physical condition was a trial to you, you did not regard it with contempt, or scorn and reject me; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus Himself.
Galatians 4:15 (show verse)
What then has become of that sense of blessing and the joy that you once had [from your salvation and your relationship with Christ]? For I testify of you that, if possible, you would have torn out your own eyes and given them to me [to replace mine].
Galatians 4:16 (show verse)
So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Galatians 4:17 (show verse)
These men [the Judaizers] eagerly seek you [to entrap you with honeyed words and attention, to win you over to their philosophy], not honorably [for their purpose is not honorable or worthy of consideration]. They want to isolate you [from us who oppose them] so that you will seek them.
Galatians 4:18 (show verse)
Now it is always pleasant to be eagerly sought after [provided that it is] for a good purpose, and not just when I am with you [seeking you myself—but beware of the others doing it].
Galatians 4:19 (show verse)
My little children, for whom I am again in [the pains of] labor until Christ is [completely and permanently] formed within you—
Galatians 4:20 (show verse)
how I wish that I were with you now and could change my tone, because I am perplexed in regard to you.
No Themes for this verse.
Galatians 4:21 (show verse)
Tell me, you who are bent on being under the Law, do you not listen to [what] the Law [really says]?
Galatians 4:22 (show verse)
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman [Hagar] and one by the free woman [Sarah].
Galatians 4:23 (show verse)
But the child of the slave woman was born according to the flesh and had an ordinary birth, while the son of the free woman was born in fulfillment of the promise.
Galatians 4:24 (show verse)
Now these facts are about to be used [by me] as an allegory [that is, I will illustrate by using them]: for these women can represent two covenants: one [covenant originated] from Mount Sinai [where the Law was given] that bears children [destined] for slavery; she is Hagar.
Abraham » God's covenant with
Abraham » Sends hagar and ishmael away
Abraham » Isaac born to
Allegory » The two covenants
Church of israel » A type of the church of Christ
Hagar » Called agar
Jerusalem » The new jerusalem
Christian Liberty » Typified
Newness » The new jerusalem
Parables » The two covenants
Sinai » A mountain in the peninsula east of the red sea » Figurative
Abraham » Sends hagar and ishmael away
Abraham » Isaac born to
Allegory » The two covenants
Church of israel » A type of the church of Christ
Hagar » Called agar
Jerusalem » The new jerusalem
Christian Liberty » Typified
Newness » The new jerusalem
Parables » The two covenants
Sinai » A mountain in the peninsula east of the red sea » Figurative
Galatians 4:25 (show verse)
Now Hagar is (represents) Mount Sinai in Arabia and she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.
Abraham » God's covenant with
Abraham » Sends hagar and ishmael away
Abraham » Isaac born to
Church of israel » A type of the church of Christ
Hagar » An angel appears to her with a comforting promise
Hagar » Called agar
Jerusalem » The new jerusalem
Jerusalem » Illustrative » Of the church
Christian Liberty » Typified
Newness » The new jerusalem
Parables » The two covenants
Sinai » A mountain in the peninsula east of the red sea » Figurative
Abraham » Sends hagar and ishmael away
Abraham » Isaac born to
Church of israel » A type of the church of Christ
Hagar » An angel appears to her with a comforting promise
Hagar » Called agar
Jerusalem » The new jerusalem
Jerusalem » Illustrative » Of the church
Christian Liberty » Typified
Newness » The new jerusalem
Parables » The two covenants
Sinai » A mountain in the peninsula east of the red sea » Figurative
Galatians 4:26 (show verse)
But the Jerusalem above [that is, the way of faith, represented by Sarah] is free; she is our mother.
Abraham » God's covenant with
Abraham » Sends hagar and ishmael away
Abraham » Isaac born to
Church » Triumphant
Church » Heavenly jerusalem
Church of israel » A type of the church of Christ
Jerusalem » The new jerusalem
Jerusalem » Illustrative » Of the church
Christian Liberty » Typified
Newness » The new jerusalem
Parables » The two covenants
Titles and names of the church » Heavenly of jerusalem
Woman » Illustrative » (gloriously arrayed,) of the church of Christ
Women » Figurative » Of the body (ekklesia) of Christ
Abraham » Sends hagar and ishmael away
Abraham » Isaac born to
Church » Triumphant
Church » Heavenly jerusalem
Church of israel » A type of the church of Christ
Jerusalem » The new jerusalem
Jerusalem » Illustrative » Of the church
Christian Liberty » Typified
Newness » The new jerusalem
Parables » The two covenants
Titles and names of the church » Heavenly of jerusalem
Woman » Illustrative » (gloriously arrayed,) of the church of Christ
Women » Figurative » Of the body (ekklesia) of Christ
Galatians 4:27 (show verse)
For it is written [in the Scriptures],
“Rejoice, o barren woman who has not given birth;
Break forth into a [joyful] shout, you who are not in labor;
For the desolate woman has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”
Break forth into a [joyful] shout, you who are not in labor;
For the desolate woman has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”
Galatians 4:28 (show verse)
And we, [believing] brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children [not merely of physical descent, like Ishmael, but are children born] of promise [born miraculously].
Galatians 4:29 (show verse)
But as at that time the child [of ordinary birth] born according to the flesh persecuted the son who was born according to [the promise and working of] the Spirit, so it is now also.
Galatians 4:30 (show verse)
But what does the Scripture say?
“Cast out the bondwoman [Hagar] and her son [Ishmael],
For never shall the son of the bondwoman be heir and share the inheritance with the son of the free woman.”
For never shall the son of the bondwoman be heir and share the inheritance with the son of the free woman.”
Galatians 4:31 (show verse)
So then, believers, we [who are born again—reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] are not children of a slave woman [the natural], but of the free woman [the supernatural].