Matthew Henry Commentary Galatians 4:1-7
Matthew Henry Commentary
Galatians 4:1-7
Matthew Henry Commentary
Galatians 4:1-7
SCRIPTURE
"But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all; but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world: but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God." — Galatians 4:1-7 (ASV)
The apostle deals plainly with those who urged the law of Moses together with the gospel of Christ, and endeavored to bring believers under its bondage. They could not fully understand the meaning of the law as given by Moses. And as that was a dispensation of darkness, it was also one of bondage; they were tied to many burdensome rites and observances, by which they were taught and kept subject like a child under tutors and governors.
We learn the happier state of Christians under the gospel dispensation. These verses reveal the wonders of Divine love and mercy: particularly of God the Father, in sending his Son into the world to redeem and save us; of the Son of God, in submitting so low and suffering so much for us; and of the Holy Spirit, in condescending to dwell in the hearts of believers for such gracious purposes. We also see the advantages Christians enjoy under the gospel.
Although by nature children of wrath and disobedience, they become by grace children of love and partake of the nature of the children of God; for he will have all his children resemble him. Among men the eldest son is heir; but all God's children shall have the inheritance of eldest sons. May the disposition and conduct of sons always show our adoption; and may the Holy Spirit witness with our spirits that we are children and heirs of God.