Galatians Summary Outline Ch 1-2: Defense of Message and Messenger Ch 3-4: Grace-Faith versus Law-Works Ch 5-6: New Life in the Spirit

Ch 3-4: Grace-Faith versus Law-Works 3:1-9 The Preeminence of Faith 3:10-14 The Curse of Works 3:15-18 The Precedent of Promise 3:19-25 The Purpose of the Law 3:26-4:7 Sons and Heirs through Christ 4:8-18 The Emptiness of Legalism 4:19-31 Law and Grace Cannot Coexist

Galatians Doctrines Justification The Gospel Grace Law Legalism Liberty Sanctification Spirituality Sowing & Reaping

Galatians 4:1-2 Howard Vos “In these verses mankind is presented as a child, in a sense immature, until Christ’s coming, when the guardian (law) was done away. As was commonly true in the testamentary systems of the Greeks and Romans, an heir as long as he was a child (here a minor at any stage of his minority) was no better off than a slave (and often was under the care of a slave), though he be lord of the whole estate by title and birthright. But he was under tutors (better, guardians of his person) and governors (better, stewards in control of property and household management) until whatever time appointed by the father. This age of maturity varied in different parts of the Empire and at different times.”

4:1-2 4:3-4 “heir” “we” (“heir” v. 7) “child” “children” 4:1-2 4:3-4 “heir” “we” (“heir” v. 7) “child” “children” “slave” “in bondage” “guardians and stewards” “elements of the world” “time appointed” “fullness of time” “father” “God” (“Father” v. 6)

“world” “the present condition of human affairs, in alienation from and opposition to God.”

stoicei/on (STOICHEION) “elements” stoicei/on (STOICHEION) “any first thing, from which the others belonging to some series or composite whole take their rise.” building blocks basic principles

“elements of the world” strictures of the Mosaic Law

“elements of the world” strictures of the Mosaic Law elementary stages of religious experience common to all men

“elements of the world” strictures of the Mosaic Law elementary stages of religious experience common to all men principles of the pagan system of false worship of the Gentiles

“elements of the world” Frederic Rendall “The association of this word with [children] fixes on it the conception of a rudimentary training to which the world was subjected during its spiritual infancy by way of preparation for the Gospel of Christ and the dispensation of the Spirit. Before men could enter into the spirit of His teaching, they had to learn the elementary principles of religion and morality. Compulsory obedience to definite rules of justice and order was a necessary preparation for the freedom of the Spirit. This preliminary education was given to the Hebrews in the Ten Commandments and the Law; it was imparted to a wider world in Greek civilization and philosophy, in Roman law and government, and in other forms of national and social life. These rudiments are disparaged in v 9 as weak and beggarly in comparison with the teaching of the Spirit, for Christian men ought to have outgrown their spiritual childhood. So, again, in Col 2:8, 20, they are condemned wherever their traditional hold on human society produces an antagonism to the higher teaching of Christ. But before the Advent they formed a valuable discipline for the education of the world.”

“elements of the world” strictures of the Mosaic Law elementary stages of religious experience common to all men principles of the pagan system of false worship of the Gentiles