THE EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
GALATIANS

Galatians 4

1The Jews were for a while held under the law, as an heir under his guardian till he be of age. 4But Christ came to redeem those that were under the law, and to give both to Jew and Gentile the adoption, and consequently the freedom, of sons. 8Paul therefore reproveth the Galatians, who from serving idols had been received of God, for falling back to the bondage of legal observances. 11He expresseth his fears and tender regard for them, and calleth to mind their former respect and good will to him, from which he admonisheth them not to be seduced in his absence. 21He allegorically describeth the Jewish and Christian churches under the types of Agar and Sara, and inferreth that we, being children of the freewoman, are free.


1NOW 1I say, That the heir, as long as he is 2a child, differeth 3nothing from a servant, though he be 4lord of all;

1 That is, what I have said in Gal. 3:24, 25, that the law is our schoolmaster, I now explain by another similitude, taken also from human affairs. See the like, 1 Cor. 5:6; 2 Cor. 9:6.

2 That is, is yet an infant and under age.

3 Namely, as concerning the present use of the inheritance, which he also may touch but a little and use as a servant, seeing herein he is not yet his own, but is under others.

4 The possession of all the goods of the inheritance belongs to him.

2But is 5under tutorsa and governors 6until the time appointed of the father.

5 That is, under the power and oversight of those who are appointed for the governing and taking care of his goods. Of these words, see Mat. 20:8; Luke 12:42; 16:1; 1 Cor. 4:1.

a guardian

6 That is, the nonage has its time appointed by law, which the fathers also may shorten or lengthen by their testament as they shall see good.

3Even so 7we, 8when we were children, were 9in bondage 10under the elements of the world:

7 Namely, Jews, who are now members of the congregation of Christ.

8 Namely, in the times of the Old Testament, before the coming of Christ.

9 That is, subjected and bound to observe.

10 Or, rudiments, that is, under the ceremonies which consist in outward and earthly things, and were as the first introduction and beginning of saving knowledge. See Col. 2:8.

4Butb when 11the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth 12his Son, 13made 14of a woman, madec15under the law,

b Gen. 49:10; Dan. 9:24.

11 That is, the adult age of the congregation, to be set free from this guardianship. Or, when the time was fulfilled which God had determined to send His Son into the world.

12 Namely, Jesus Christ, Who has been God’s Son from everlasting, before He became Man, Psalm 2:7; Prov. 8:24; Micah 5:1; Acts 13:33.

13 Otherwise, born.

14 That is, of the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary, Luke 1:31; 2:7.

c Mat. 5:17.

15 That is, Christ subjected Himself not only to the ceremonial law, but also to the moral law, which He perfectly kept for us, and took the curse thereof upon Himself, and delivered us from it, 2 Cor. 5:21.

516To redeem 17them that were under the law, thatd we might receive 18the adoption of sons.

16 Gr. to buy off, namely, paying for them a full ransom for their sins. See Gal. 3:13.

17 That is, who were under the yoke of the ceremonial law, and also under the curse and rigorous obedience of the moral law, whereof he also speaks in this fourth chapter. See verse 21.

d John 1:12; Gal. 3:26.

18 Gr. placing as sons. Therefore the Son of God must be sent to redeem us, that He might obtain, and graciously communicate the right of Sonship, which He had by nature, for all believers, not only sons, but also daughters, 2 Cor. 6:18.

6Ande because 19ye are 20sons, God hath sent forth 21the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, 22crying, 23Abba, Father.

e Rom. 8:15.

19 Namely, believing Galatians, who before were heathens.

20 Namely, of God, made by the Son of God, and for His sake adopted for children by God, who previously were children of wrath, and enemies of God. See Rom. 5:10; Eph. 2:12. And now enjoy the right and liberty of God’s children, being set free out of the guardianship of the law, and freed from the curse of the same.

21 That is, the Holy Spirit, Who as a pledge in your hearts, assures you of this your gracious adoption for children, and of the inheritance which belongs to children, 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13.

22 That is, by Whom we cry, Rom. 8:15. That is, Who works in us that we cry, boldly and with assurance, unto God. See the like phrase, Rom. 8:26.

23 See exposition hereof in the annotation on Rom. 8:15.

7Wherefore 24thou art 25no more 26a servant, but a son; and if 27a son, then 28an heir of God 29through Christ.

24 Namely, who now believes in Christ.

25 Namely, as before.

26 Namely, standing under the custody and bondage of the law.

27 Namely, of God, who now being come to thy years, art set free from the aforementioned custody.

28 See of this conclusion, Rom. 8:17.

29 Namely, Who has merited and procured this inheritance for us, and Whose co-heirs we shall be, Rom. 8:17.

8Howbeit then, 30when ye knew not God, ye did 31service unto 32them 33whichf by nature are no gods.

30 That is, when you were yet in heathendom, and had no knowledge of the true God.

31 Namely, as slaves and servants of idols.

32 That is, the idols.

33 That is, truly and essentially, but only according to the opinion through the embellishment of men, Jer. 10:11.

f 1 Cor. 8:4.

9But now, after that ye have known 34God, or 35rather are 36known of God, 37howg turn ye 38again 39to the weak and beggarlyh elements, whereunto ye 40desire 41again 42to be in bondage?

34 That is, the true God, Who of nature and according to His Essence is God.

35 This the apostle adds to show that they have not this knowledge of themselves, by the quickness of their own understanding, but by the grace of God, by which He appeared unto them, and brought them to this knowledge.

36 Namely, for His own, see Mat. 7:23; 2 Tim. 2:19, that is, whom God of mere mercy has esteemed worthy to enlighten with His knowledge. See also 1 Cor. 8:3; 13:12.

37 That is, do not turn yourselves.

g Col. 2:20.

38 Namely, from one bondage to another; from the bondage of idols to the bondage of the ceremonies.

39 That is, unto the ceremonies and doctrine of the law, which have no power to justify you thereby. See Heb. 7:18, 19.

h worthless

40 Namely, as you served the idols previously.

41 That is, anew, or, from the top.

42 That is, devote yourselves to the bondage of the same, because ye will follow the doctrine of the false apostles.

1043Yei44observe 45days, and 46months, and 47times, and 48years.

43 Here the apostle relates some kinds of the foresaid elements of the first principles, concerning the observation of the Jewish feast days. See Rom. 14:5.

i Rom. 14:5; Col. 2:16.

44 Namely, after the manner of the Jews to do God service therewith, and to be justified thereby.

45 That is, the Sabbaths, coming about once every week, Exod. 20:8; Col. 2:16. Namely, forasmuch they were ceremonial and specific to the Jews.

46 That is, the feasts of the new moons, Num. 28:11.

47 That is, the great yearly feasts of the Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, Exod. 23:15, 16, etc.

48 That is, the seventh and also the fiftieth year, Exod. 23:10; Lev. 25:4, 6, 10, etc.

11I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour 49in vain.

49 That is, without fruit; lest all my labor and trouble, which I have employed to convert you to Christ, would be fruitless, and not obtain its end, which is your salvation, which you shall not be able to obtain, if you would be justified by the law.

12Brethren, 50I beseech you, be 51as I am; for 52I am as ye are: ye have not injured 53me at all.

50 That is, if I cannot prevail with you by reproof, be moved at least by my friendly entreaty, to abide by the truth of the Gospel.

51 Namely, who formerly have also been very zealous for the law, but, afterward knowing Christ aright, have cast off all those outward ceremonies and esteemed them as loss, Philip. 3:7, 8.

52 Namely, I was such in former times, being indeed as greatly zealous for Judaism as ever you could be, Gal. 1:14. Others understand this of the good affection which Paul bare to them; and that he here exhorts them to bear him similar affection.

53 That is, as concerning my person, you have given me no cause that I would out of passion or revenge so sharply reprove you. And thereby tacitly he would show that in this they did Christ wrong.

1354Ye know how 55through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you 56at the first.

54 That is, you are so far from having done me wrong, that, as you know, when I preached the Gospel among you, you showed me the greatest honor and love that one could do.

55 That is, in a humble and low estate, without outward luster. Or, with many persecutions, reproaches, troubles, hatred and dangers outwardly coming upon me. See 1 Cor. 2:3; 2 Cor. 11:30; 12:9.

56 That is, when the Gospel was first preached unto you by me, when you were yet Gentiles. See Acts 16:6; 18:23.

14And 57my temptation 58which was in my flesh ye 59despised not, 60nor rejected; but received me as 61an angelj of God, 62even ask Christ Jesus.

57 Or, trial, that is, my tribulations, which in verse 13 he called infirmity, whereby God has wanted to try my faith and fidelity.

58 That is, which was outwardly brought upon me.

59 Gr. to make of no account.

60 Gr. spewed out, that is, you were not offended at it, or, thereby you were not turned away from receiving the Gospel or to despise or reject my doctrine.

61 That is, as if I had been one of the holy angels and ministering spirits, or, as an ambassador of God; for, this word also signifies angel.

j Mal. 2:7.

62 That is, not as a minister of Christ, but as if I had been the Lord Himself. The apostle would hereby show that it would be a great shame for the Galatians, that they should so rashly forsake him, to whom before they had shown such honor and love, and fall for the false apostles; that therefore they ought to persevere in the former.

k Mat. 10:40; John 13:20.

1563Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been 64possible, ye would have plucked out your 65own eyes, and have given them to me.

63 That is, how blessed did you then esteem yourselves. See of this word, Rom. 4:9.

64 Namely, that one could do any service to someone by the digging out and giving of their eyes.

65 That is, whatsoever is most lovely and most acceptable unto you, you would have given me. See Mat. 5:29.

16Am I therefore become 66your enemy, because I tell 67you the truth?

66 Namely, as I am slandered by the false apostles, or, as they would think that this sharp reproof was given by me out of hatred or enmity.

67 Namely, for your good and salvation; for this is a work, not of enemies, but of friends, see Prov. 27:6.

1768Theyl zealously affectm you, but 69not well; yea, they would 70exclude 71you, that ye might affect 72them.

68 That is, the false teachers, who seek to deceive you, show indeed as if they had great zeal to bring you unto salvation, or, bare great affection unto you.

l Rom. 10:2; 2 Cor. 11:12.

m desire, seek

69 That is, without any true but with feigned zeal or affection.

70 Namely, that you should no more hear, follow or adhere to us. Others read include you, that is, shut you, as it were, into a prison, and be subject unto them.

71 Or, us, the true apostles and teachers.

72 That is, follow and adhere unto them with zeal and great inclination.

18But it is good to be zealously affected 73always 74in a good thing, and not only 75when I am present with you.

73 That is, with a zeal that always continues steadfast and ceases not.

74 That is, about a good matter; for, there is a twofold zeal, one good, which is described here, and one perverse, which is exercised about an evil matter, which men think to be good, and therefore is mingled with ignorance. See Rom. 10:2.

75 Namely, when you were inflamed with such zeal and affections towards me and my doctrine; you ought to have continued therein, although I am not now with you.

1976Myn little children, 77of whom I travail in birth again until 78Christ 79be formed in you,

76 Namely, which I have brought forth by the Gospel, 1 Cor. 4:15.

n 1 Cor. 4:15; Philemon verse 10; James 1:10.

77 Gr. of whom I am again in travail or pain, that is, who at first with much trouble and labor converted you from heathendom unto Christ, and about whom I shall now again be constrained to bestow great labor and trouble to bring you anew from these your errors.

78 That is, the saving knowledge of Christ.

79 That is, even as a mother bears her child so long until it has gotten a perfect form, and then brings forth the same, so I will not cease to labor, until you shall be confirmed in the true knowledge of Christ.

20I desire to be 80present with you now, and to change 81my voice; for I stand 82in doubt of you.

80 Namely, the better to show my love to you and to be able to instruct you more extensively of all things, then it can indeed be done by writing.

81 That is, suit my words and discourse according to the condition of everyone, or of the matters, speaking now more mildly, then more sharply to you.

82 That is, I do not know how I stand with you, whether I shall hope well or ill of you; or, what end this your turning away will take; or, how I shall best restore you again from the same.

2183Tell me, ye 84that desire to be under the law, do ye not 85hear the law?

83 That is, just answer me to what I shall propound to you out of the law itself.

84 That is, who seek to be justified by the works of the law, and the observation of the ceremonies.

85 That is, will you not submit to the law to receive what is written in the law and books of Moses? Namely, that the law itself excludes those from the inheritance who are servants of the law, as is proved in the following verses. The word law is here taken in a twofold signification, as Rom. 3:21.

2286For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, 87the oneo by 88a bondmaid, 89the otherp by 90a freewoman.

86 Namely, in the law of Moses, from the eleventh chapter of Genesis to the twenty-second chapter.

87 Namely, Ishmael.

o Gen. 16:15.

88 Or, (female) slave, namely, Hagar.

89 Namely, Isaac.

p Gen. 21:2; Acts 7:8; Heb. 11:11.

90 Namely, Sarah.

23Butq he who was of the bondwoman was born 91after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was 92by promise.

q John 8:39; Rom. 9:7.

91 That is, according to the power, operation and course of nature. For, Hagar was yet young when she conceived her son, and Abraham yet fit to beget children.

92 Namely, born, that is, by a supernatural operation of God, which was promised Abraham by God, Gen. 18:10. For, Sarah was barren and now 90 years old, and Abraham an hundred, both incapable according to nature to beget children, Gen. 17:17; Rom. 4:19.

24Which things are 93an allegory: for 94these 95are 96the two covenants; 97the one 98from the mount Sinai, which genderethr99to bondage, 100which is Agar.

93 Gr. allegoroumena, that is, which are indeed a true history or event, but signify besides this also what else, as being types and representations of spiritual things; as also the brazen serpent, John 3:14; the marriage of Adam and Eve, Eph. 5:32; the Israelites’ passage through the Red Sea, 1 Cor. 10:1, 2; the flood, 1 Peter 3:20.

94 Namely, two women, Sarah and Hagar.

95 That is, express, signify, represent. A sacramental phrase. See Gen. 41:26, 27; Mat. 26:26.

96 Namely, the old of the law, wherein is promised that he, who keeps the law perfectly, shall thereby obtain salvation; and the new of the Gospel, wherein eternal life is promised to sinners who believe in Christ. See Jer. 31:31, etc.; Heb. 8:8, 9, 10.

97 Namely, the covenant of the law.

98 That is, which has its origin from this, where the same was propounded by God through Moses to the people, and received by the people.

r bear young

99 Namely, bringing forth children which are under bondage. For, the law requires of men a perfect obedience, or for want thereof proclaims the curse unto them.

100 That is, which is represented by the bondmaid, Hagar, who, being herself a female slave, was driven out of the house, and whose children do not inherit with the sons of the free-woman, Gen. 21:10, for, they, who are born of the bondwoman, are slaves also, and not heirs.

25For 101this Agar is mount 102Sinai 103in Arabia, and 104answereth to 105Jerusalem 106which now is, and is 107in bondage 108with her children.

101 That is, this covenant, which is represented by Hagar. Or, this word Agar.

102 That is, is also called Sinai; for, the mount which we call Sinai, is, as some think, called by the Arabians Hagar, and from this the Arabians are called likewise Hagarenes, 1 Chron. 5:10, 19; Psalm 83:6. Or, is a representation of Sinai, and of the covenant of the law that was given on Mount Sinai.

103 That is, situated in the wilderness of Arabia to which Hagar fled with her son Ishmael when she was driven out of Abraham’s house, and there gave him an Egyptian wife, Gen. 21:14, 20, 21.

104 Namely, that same covenant, that is, has a likeness and unity.

105 That is, unto the Jewish Synagogue or religion, which has the upper hand and its seat within Jerusalem.

106 Namely, since the coming of Christ, by Whom all the ceremonies are fulfilled and abolished; and nevertheless holds that the observation of the ceremonies is still necessary to salvation.

107 Or, for it is in bondage, that is, it bears still the yoke of ceremonies, and seeks salvation thereby.

108 That is, with all those who adhere to this religion, and seek their salvation by the covenant of the law. And therefore it is justly compared to Hagar and her son; and shall also, as Hagar with her son, be thrust out from the inheritance.

26Buts109Jerusalem which is above 110is free, which is 111the mother of 112us all.

s Rev. 21:2.

109 That is, the true Christian church and religion, which seeks her salvation not by the first covenant of the law, namely, by the works of the law, but by the second of the Gospel, namely, by the merits of Christ, embraced by a true faith; which has its origin from heaven by the powerful calling of the Holy Spirit. See Heb. 12:22; Rev. 3:12; 21:10.

110 Namely, from the bondage and curse of the law; and is rightly compared to Sarah and Isaac, who were free persons; wherefore it shall also inherit the inheritance of heaven.

111 Even as Sarah was the mother of Isaac, who was his father’s heir, because he was born of a free mother.

112 Namely, believers, Jews as well as Gentiles, who seek their salvation in Christ alone.

27113For it is written, Rejoice,t thou 114barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath 115many more 116children than she 117which hath an husband.

113 Namely, Isa. 54:1. The apostle confirms this represented difference of the two covenants, nations and congregations, of the law and of the Gospel, by the testimony and prediction of the prophet Isaiah, in order that he does not appear to have contrived this application outside of Scripture.

t Isa. 54:1.

114 That is, thou congregation of those who seek their salvation in Christ alone, who were a few in the times of Christ so that it seemed as if she had no children; which is also signified when the prophet says that she has no travail and is solitary.

115 Thereby is foretold the great multitude of those out of Judaism, and mainly out of heathendom, which shall betake themselves unto this congregation, which came to pass after Christ’s ascension.

116 That is, members of the same.

117 That is, the Jewish church or synagogue, which boasted that she only was the church and peculiar people of God, and had many adherents.

28Nowu118we, brethren, 119as Isaac was, are the 120children of promise.

u Rom. 9:7, 8.

118 Namely, who seek our salvation not by the law, but by the faith of Christ.

119 Gr. according to Isaac, that is, according to the type of Isaac. Namely, like as Isaac, by virtue of the promise, above the power of nature being born of a free mother, was heir of his father’s goods; so also shall all they, who by a true faith receive the promises of the Gospel, as free children of God, are made partakers of the heavenly inheritance.

120 That is, to whom the inheritance of eternal life is promised, and shall be partakers of the same.

29But as 121then he that was born 122after the flesh 123persecutedv him that was born 124after the Spirit, 125even so it is now.

121 Namely, in Abraham’s time.

122 Namely, Ishmael. See verse 23.

123 Namely, with bitter mocking. See Gen. 21:9.

v Gen. 21:9.

124 That is, Isaac, who was born by virtue of God’s promise, embraced by his parents with a true faith, which the Spirit of God wrought in them.

125 Namely, are the believers, who seek their salvation in Christ alone even as Isaac, are still persecuted by the Jewish synagogue, who will be saved by the law, whereof Ishmael was a type. Thereby he exhorts the faithful to patience and steadfastness.

30Nevertheless 126what saith the scripture? 127Castw out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

126 That is, mark well I pray, on what the Holy Scripture says yet further in this history.

127 By this casting out of Hagar and Ishmael out of the house of Abraham was portrayed, that so also all they who seek to be saved by the covenant of the law, shall be cast out of the house of God, and not obtain the inheritance of eternal life. But that they who are of the faith of Christ, shall abide therein and be saved alone.

w Gen. 21:10.

31So then, brethren, 128we are not children 129of the bondwoman, but 130of the free.

128 Namely, who seek salvation in Christ alone, and not in the law.

129 Namely, of Hagar, that is, of the covenant of the law, whereof Hagar was a type, they shall not inherit, but be cast out.

130 Namely, of Sarah, that is, of the gracious covenant of the Gospel, whereof Sarah was a type, they shall obtain the inheritance.