Albert Barnes Commentary Galatians 4:2

"but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father." — Galatians 4:2 (ASV)

But is under. He is subject to their control and direction.

Tutors. The word tutor, for us, properly means instructor. But this is not quite the sense of the original. The word epitropos properly means steward, manager, or agent (Matthew 20:8; Luke 8:3).

As used here, it refers to one—usually a slave or a freedman—to whose care the boys of a family were committed, who trained them, accompanied them to school, or sometimes instructed them at home. Compare to Galatians 3:24.

Such a person would have control of them.

And governors. This word, oikonomos, means a house-manager, an overseer, or a steward. It properly refers to one who had authority over the slaves or servants of a family, to assign them their tasks and portions.

They generally also managed the household affairs and accounts. They were commonly slaves who were entrusted with this office as a reward for fidelity, though sometimes free persons were employed (Luke 16:1, 3, 8).

These persons also had charge of the sons of a family, probably concerning their pecuniary matters, and thus differed from those called tutors. It is not necessary, however, to define the difference in the words with great precision. The apostle's general meaning is that the heir was under government and restraint.

Until the time appointed of the father. This refers to the time fixed for his entering on the inheritance; the time when the father chose to give him his portion of the property.

The law for us fixes the age at twenty-one when a son is at liberty to manage for himself. Other countries have set other times.

However, the time when the son will inherit the father's property must still be fixed by the father himself, if he is living, or it may be fixed by his will if he is deceased. The son cannot claim the property when he comes of age.