Galatians 4

Galatians 4:1

Verse 1

Though he be lord of all; though he is to inherit all.

Galatians 4:3

Verse 3

The elements of the world. The Jewish institutions are obviously intended by this expression; but why they are, so designated is not very clear.

Galatians 4:4

Verse 4

The fulness of the time; the full time predicted.–Made under the law; born a. Jew, and consequently under the Mosaic institutions.

Galatians 4:5

Verse 5

To redeem them, &c.; thus showing that they owe their redemption not to their Judaism, but to their Christianity.

Galatians 4:8

Verse 8

The apostle here appears to address the Gentile portion of the Galatian churches.–Ye did service unto, ye were in bondage unto.

Galatians 4:10

Verse 10

Ye observe; that is, religiously; depending upon such observances for acceptance with God.

Galatians 4:12

Verse 12

This passage is evidently elliptical, and is considered obscure.

Galatians 4:13

Verse 13

Through infirmity of the flesh; that is, suffering under infirmity of the flesh. (Comp. 2 Corinthians 12:7.)

Galatians 4:14

Verse 14

As Christ Jesus; as clothed with his authority.

Galatians 4:17

Verse 17

They; the false teachers.–Zealously affect you; pretend to be ardently interested in your welfare.–Exclude you; separate you; that is, from me.

Galatians 4:18

Verse 18

Always in a good thing; that is, to adhere firmly and steadily to what is right.–Not only, &c.; referring to what he had said in Galatians 4:15.

Galatians 4:19

Verse 19

Of whom I travail in birth; for whom I feel the deepest solicitude and anxiety.

Galatians 4:20

Verse 20

To change my voice; that is, to administer admonition and reproof to them, which it had not been necessary to do when he was with them before.

Galatians 4:22

Verse 22

A bond-maid; Hagar.

Galatians 4:24

Verse 24

An allegory; that is, may be regarded as such.–These are the two covenants; may be considered as representing the two covenants.

Galatians 4:25

Verse 25

Is Mount Sinai; that is, represents Mount Sinai in this illustration.

Galatians 4:26

Verse 26

Jerusalem which is above; the spiritual Jerusalem; that is, the body of believers under the gospel.

Galatians 4:27

Verse 27

It is written; Isaiah 54:1.

Galatians 4:29

Verse 29

He that was born after the flesh; Ishmael, the son of Hagar.–Him that was born after the Spirit; Isaac.

Galatians 4:30

Verse 30

Cast out, &c The rejection of Hagar thus represents the rejection of the bondage and servitude entailed by the Jewish law.