Galatians 4:2

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.

American Standard Version (1901)

but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father.

Bible in Basic English

But is under keepers and managers till the time fixed by the father.

Douay-Rheims 1899

But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father:

Free Bible Version

An heir is subject to guardians and managers until the time set by the father.

Geneva Bible 1599

But is vnder tutours and gouernours, vntil the time appointed of the Father.

King James (Authorized) Version

But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

Plain English Version

He had to do what his teachers and the other bosses told him to do, until he grew up. He had to wait for the right time to come, the time that his father told them before he died.

Translation for Translators

Until the day that his father previously determined, other persons supervise him and manage his father’s property.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.

Noah Webster Bible

But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father.

World English Bible

but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.

Young's Literal Translation

but is under tutors and stewards till the time appointed of the father,

Context

Sons and Heirs

¹What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything.²He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.

Summary

In Galatians 4:2, Paul uses the analogy of a child under guardians and managers until the set time by his father. This verse illustrates the spiritual immaturity and lack of freedom experienced by humanity under the law before the coming of Christ. It emphasizes the transition from the Old Testament era of strict regulations to the New Testament era of grace and freedom through faith in Jesus Christ. Believers are no longer bound by the constraints of the law but are now adopted as sons and daughters of God, receiving the full rights and inheritance as children of God.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

But is under tutors - Επιτροπους· Guardians and governors; οικονομους· those who have the charge of the family. These words are nearly similar; but we may consider the first as executor, the last as the person who superintends the concerns of the family and estate till the heir become of age; such as we call trustee. Until the time appointed of the father - The time mentioned in the father's will or testament.

John Gill Bible Commentary

But is under tutors and governors,.... The word rendered "tutors", is adopted by the Jewish Targumists and Rabbins into their language; and by the former is used (x) for any ruler and governor, civil or domestic; and by the latter, for such as are guardians of infants, fatherless children, and such as are under age, as it is here used; and who were either appointed by the will of the deceased, or by the sanhedrim, of whom they say (y), , "we do not appoint a tutor or guardian for a bearded person"; that is, an adult person, one that is grown up to man's estate; but , "we appoint a guardian for an infant"; and they had not used to appoint women or servants, or such as were minors themselves, or any of the common people; but men of substance, integrity, and wisdom (z); a fatherless child had two tutors (a); the power that guardians so appointed had, is at large described by Maimonides (b). Governors were such as acted under the tutors or guardians, and were employed by them for the improvement of their estates and minds, as stewards, schoolmasters, &c. until the time appointed of the father; by his last will and testament, which might be sooner or later, as he pleased; but if he died intestate, the time of minority, and so the duration of tutors and guardians, were according to the laws of the nation; which with the Romans was until a man was twenty five years of age; and with the Jews, for a male, was until he was thirteen years of age and one day; and for a female, until she was twelve years of age and one day, if the signs of ripeness of age appeared; but if they did not, the time was protracted until they were twenty, and even sometimes till they were thirty five years of age, before the matter was determined (c). (x) Targum Jon. ben Uzziel in Gen. xxxix. 4. & xli 34, 35. & xliii 15. Targum in Esther i. 8. & 2. 3. (y) T. Bab. Bava Metzia, fol. 39. 1, 2. (z) Maimon. Hilch. Necabot, c. 10. sect. 6. (a) Bartenora in Misn. Pesachim, c. 8. sect. 1. (b) Hilch. Nechalot, c. 11. (c) Ib. Hilch. Ishot, c. 2. sect. 1, 2.