The law by its very nature is fully subservient to the promise. The law points to the necessity of salvation. The promise is through our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, if there had been given a law that could have given life then of course, righteousness would have come by the law. Then law and grace would have been in competition, for there would have been two diverse methods of salvation - the one would have been merited and the other grace. But this was impossible owing to the fact of sin - the sinner never being able to meet the law's demands as to his past sin - therefore never able to heap up merit to be righteous and safe.

Galatians 3:22 "But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."

Law was a servant to guide and guard the child until freed from spiritual childhood by faith.

Galatians 3:23,24 "But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. ²⁴ Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith."

"Tutors - Paidagogos: The Greek word here means not a 'teacher' but an attendant, a custodian usually a slave whose job it was to insure the safe arrival of the child at school. Christ is the true teacher". Ryrie

Galatians 3:25,26 "But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. ²⁶ For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

The law with its sacrifices was always leading the Israelites to the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8 KJV). The law could reveal sin - and show the high standard expected. Christ removed the sin and lives in us by His Spirit so that we live the high standard of sons of God. By nature we were the children of wrath. By faith in Jesus we become the sons of God.

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We Have Union With Christ And Are United With All Who Have Faith In Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:27 - 4:3)

Galatians 3:27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

This is the baptism by one Spirit into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13 ) that water baptism signifies. It brings believers into living union with Christ. We become sons of God in union with Him. We have put on Christ and are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6 ). In daily experience we are clothing ourselves with Christ as a responsible act of appropriating all that Christ is. Being sons in the family of God makes all other relationships insignificant. There is no advantage in being a Jew rather than a Gentile, or a man rather than a woman, a free man rather than a slave (Galatians 3:28 ). All in Christ share the highest position and relationship possible in the family of God.

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In Christ we are truly Abraham's seed and the heirs according to promise (Galatians 3:29)

Believers belong to Christ. "You are Christ's" (Galatians 3:29 ):

	as the Father's gift (John 17:6 );
	as purchased by His blood (1 Corinthians 6:20 );
	as willingly so (Psalm 110:3 );
	as presented sacrifices (Romans 12:1 ).

Christ Himself is Abraham's seed (Galatians 3:16 ). Being one with Christ in mystical union, believers are Abraham's seed. As believers we are heirs, not by any legal observances, but according to the promise made to Abraham. It is our privilege to live as the heirs of God our Father, and behave as family to those who are royal heirs with us.

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To Be Under Law Is Not To Be In An Advanced Position - It Is Rather A Position Of Servitude

Galatians 4:1 "Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; "

The pre-faith state was childhood for those under law.

Galatians 4:2 "But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. "

During this time under restraint it is meant by the father to be used for discipline, education, training, during which time life for the heir was little better than that of a bondslave. A vivid description of being under the law in contrast with the freedom of the mature state that is experienced through faith in Christ Jesus.

Another lesson is suggested by the illustration used here of being under trustees until the time of the father, that godly parents are expected to oversee the instruction of their children (Deuteronomy 6:7; Ephesians 6:4 ). It is their responsibility to guard their children from ungodly philosophies and to teach them biblical principles (1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:15 ). Bondage to the legalistic practices of Judaism is described as being under "the elements of the world" (Galatians 4:3 ). "Elements" - Greek 'stoicheion.'

"From stoichos, row, and stoicheo - to put or go in a row, one in a series. In the plural "ta stocheia", the elements or first principles of matter, the constituent atoms from which other things proceed in order or of which they are composed. (2 Peter 3:10,12 ) figuratively refers to elements of first principles of Christian doctrine (Hebrews 5:12 ). Paul calls the ceremonial ordinances of the Mosaic law the elements of the world, or worldly elements (Galatians 4:3; Colossians 2:8,20 ). In Galatians 4:9 he calls them weak and poor elements when considered merely in themselves and in opposition to the great realities to which they were designed to lead. These elements contain the rudiments of the knowledge of Christ ... they are called worldly as consisting in outward worldly institutions (Hebrews 9:10 )". Spiros Zodhiaties

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When The Interval God Determined Was Completed The Father Sent The Son (Galatians 4:4)

Galatians 4:4 "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,"

	"Fullness of the time" It was not a premature coming, it was in full accord and fulfilment of prophecy (Hebrews 9:26 ).
	"God sent forth" Implied the fact of the pre-existence of Christ Jesus (John 1:1; Colossians 1:17; John 17:5; Hebrews 1:2 ).
	"His Son" The great love of God is seen in the sending and giving of His Son to save sinners (John 3:16 ).
	"Made of a woman" To become "the Son of Man". "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:" (Isaiah 9:6 ). As a child in human form He was born, but as a Son in the likeness of the Father He was given.
	"Made under the law" The only one to perfectly keep the law. No law - no accusers - not even the prince of this world could find any wrong in Him (John 14:30 ). The spotless Lamb.

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His Coming Brought His Perfect Salvation To Undeserving Sinners (Galatians 4:5-11)

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He Came To "Redeem Those Who Were Under The Law" (Galatians 4:5)

And as such under the curse (Galatians 3:10 ) He delivered by becoming our purchase price, our kinsman redeemer has bought us out of bondage - we are liberated.

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He Came "That We Might Receive The Adoption As Sons" (Galatians 4:5)

It is a sonship based on redemption. But the meaning here is son, position - no longer treated as servants because positioned as sons by adoption. The Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer is evidence of his sonship (Galatians 4:6-7 ). The Spirit of His Son cries out in our hearts "Abba, Father."

Sadly, Paul has to tell the Galatians they were not acting like sons and heirs of God because of turning back to bondage (Galatians 4:8-9 ), and observance of days, months, years (Galatians 4:10 ). For them to turn to legalism from the liberty in Christ would make Paul's mission among them an unrewarded labour of love (Galatians 4:11 ).

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What is the meaning of the law being a tutor to bring to Christ? (Galatians 3:23-26 ).
2. How did you signify your baptism by one Spirit into one body? (Galatians 3:27; 1 Corinthians 12:13 ).
3. What great privileges do you enjoy because you belong to Christ? (Galatians 3:29 ).
4. What practical lesson can parents learn from Galatians 4:2?
5. What do you learn about Christ's Person and work from Galatians 4:4-7?
6. In which way were the Galatians failing to act like sons and heirs of God? (Galatians 4:8-11 ).