Gal 4:1-7 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gal 4:1-7: 4:1-7 Paul supports his argument that the law’s purpose for God’s children was fulfilled when Christ came, so that we are no longer bound by it. Summary for Gal 4:1-3: 4:1-3 A child inheriting an estate might receive a large fortune, but before coming of age, the child must obey guardians and trustees until the time set by the father. Similarly, before Christ came, God’s people were under the guardianship of the law (see 3:23-24 ).

Summary for Gal 4:1-7: 4:1-7 ^a Paul supports his argument that the law’s purpose for God’s children was fulfilled when Christ came, so that we are no longer bound by it.
Summary for Gal 4:1-3: 4:1-3 ^b A child inheriting an estate might receive a large fortune, but before coming of age, the child must obey guardians and trustees until the time set by the father. Similarly, before Christ came, God’s people were under the guardianship of the law (see 3:23-24 ^c).
4:3 ^d Before Christ came, God’s people were like underage heirs to a large estate (4:1-2 ^e). They would inherit a great fortune (4:5 ^f), but they were still subject to their guardian (3:23-25 ^g).

• the basic spiritual principles of this world: This probably refers to the principles of law that govern the world apart from Christ; these principles were fully expressed in the law of Moses (3:23-24 ^h; cp. 4:5 ⁱ).
Summary for Gal 4:4-5: 4:4-5 ^j God set the right time in the course of history for Christ to come (cp. Luke 4:18-19 ^k; Eph 4:8-10 ^l).

• Christ was fully human (born of a woman) and subject to the law. Christ fulfilled the law (see Matt 3:13-15 ^m; 5:17 ⁿ) so that now God’s children have freedom and are no longer bound as slaves to it.

• to buy freedom: By fulfilling the law and bearing its curse, Christ ransomed us from its claims (Gal 3:13 ^o; see also Rom 3:24 ^p; Col 1:13-14 ^q).

• so that he could adopt us: See also Rom 8:15-17 ^r.
4:6 ^s The Holy Spirit provides an inner testimony to assure us that we are God’s children (see Rom 8:16 ^t; Eph 1:13-14 ^u).

• Those who have the Spirit of his Son are able to address God as Father, just as Christ did (Mark 14:36 ^v; cp. Matt 6:9 ^w).