Have you ever thought about what Paul meant when he compared heirs and slaves in Galatians 4? He paints an intriguing picture:
“Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father” (Galatians 4:1–2).
Why the Law if We Had Abraham’s Covenant?
One likely objection Paul faced was why God introduced the Law at all. After all, wasn’t the Abrahamic Covenant sufficient? They might have argued that if the law wasn’t necessary to be kept, why did they have the law to the Abrahamic covenant people? That shows it had to be kept.
Paul clarifies this beautifully:
“So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world” (Galatians 4:3).
This “bondage” Paul describes is a system of “do nots,” rules and regulations that controlled every aspect of daily life. Think about it—rules that dictated everything from food to fashion. Legalism—defined by restrictive rules—creates bondage, not freedom. Paul calls this spiritual immaturity “grown-up childishness.”
When the Fullness of Time Came
So, when exactly was this “fullness of time” Paul refers to?
Paul explains:
“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4–5).
By this “fullness of time,” Judaism had become a rigid system of empty rituals, alienating even the Gentiles who sought hope in it. The Greeks had dazzled the world with philosophy, art, and culture, but spiritually, they offered only empty gods and hollow promises. Then came the Romans, with their power, law, and violence—but spiritually bankrupt, lacking compassion or meaningful purpose.
It was into this desperate emptiness—into this “fullness of time”—that Jesus came. It was NOW the fullness of time.
Redeeming from the Law
Jesus was born under the Law specifically to redeem those who were trapped in its impossible demands. This redemption wasn’t just freedom from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13), but freedom from its bondage—its overwhelming rules and rituals.
Jesus fulfilled the Law. He did what no one else could: perfectly meet every requirement of the Law, thus redeeming us completely.
Adopted as Sons and Daughters
But the good news doesn’t stop at redemption! Paul says clearly:
“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God” (Galatians 4:6–7).
Being adopted as God’s children means something incredibly powerful: we’re given full rights and privileges as heirs. This adoption was something the Law could never achieve. The Law couldn’t make us sons or daughters—only Christ’s sacrifice and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit could do that (John 1:11–13, 3:5–6).
Intimacy and Freedom
Because we are now God’s children, we’ve received the Holy Spirit—immediately and fully. We’re not waiting for Him. He’s already within us, empowering us to address God intimately as “Abba,” or “Daddy.” This Aramaic term shows closeness, trust, and deep relationship, not rigid formality.
In short, as believers, we aren’t slaves anymore, bound to legalistic rituals or worldly traditions. We’re free, mature heirs—sons and daughters with direct, intimate access to our heavenly Father.
Paul’s ultimate message? Step out of bondage, embrace your identity as God’s beloved child, and live confidently in the freedom Christ bought for you.
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