Galatians 4:4-6 is a powerful passage that highlights God's divine timing, His plan for our redemption, and the incredible privilege we have as His children through the Holy Spirit. These verses remind us of the significance of Jesus’ coming, the purpose of His mission, and the transformation we experience as a result of our adoption into God's family. Let’s explore the meaning and significance of these verses.
- God’s Perfect Timing
Galatians 4:4 begins with, "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law." This phrase, "the fullness of the time," tells us that Jesus' arrival was not random but perfectly planned by God. The world was prepared for His coming both spiritually and historically.
Spiritually, the Jewish people had been waiting for the Messiah. The Old Testament prophecies had foretold His coming, and the people were longing for deliverance.
Historically, the Roman Empire provided a unified government, a common language (Greek), and a vast network of roads that helped spread the gospel quickly.
Religiously, many people were growing weary of idolatry, and there was an openness to new spiritual truth.
God chose this specific time to send His Son into the world. This reminds us that God's timing is always perfect, even when we don’t fully understand it. Just as He orchestrated the arrival of Jesus at the right moment, He also works in our lives according to His divine schedule.
- Jesus’ Humanity and Mission
The verse continues by emphasizing that Jesus was "born to a woman" and "born under the law." This is crucial because it highlights both His humanity and His identification with us.
Born to a woman – This points to Jesus’ incarnation. He was fully God but also fully human, experiencing life just as we do, yet without sin. This echoes the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14: "Behold, the virgin will conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel," meaning "God with us."
Born under the law – Jesus was subject to the Jewish law, which means He fully obeyed it, fulfilling its requirements perfectly. Unlike us, who fall short of God's standards, Jesus lived a sinless life. Because He was without sin, He was able to take our place and redeem us.
- Our Redemption Through Christ
Galatians 4:5 explains why Jesus came: "that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children." The word "redeem" means to buy back or set free. Under the law, we were enslaved to sin and its consequences. But Jesus, through His death and resurrection, paid the price for our freedom.
This idea of redemption is also seen in Romans 8:3-4: "For what the law couldn’t do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us." Jesus accomplished what we never could—He fulfilled the law perfectly and took our punishment, setting us free from condemnation.
But redemption is only part of the story. The verse also tells us that we have been adopted as children of God. We are not just freed from slavery; we are welcomed into God's family. This is a remarkable truth—our relationship with God is not just one of legal forgiveness but one of deep, personal connection.
- The Spirit of Sonship
Galatians 4:6 continues, "And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, 'Abba, Father!'" This verse speaks of the deep intimacy we now have with God through the Holy Spirit.
God sends His Spirit into our hearts – The Holy Spirit is not just an external guide but an internal presence. He dwells in us, reminding us that we belong to God.
We cry out, "Abba, Father" – "Abba" is an Aramaic word that expresses a close, personal relationship, similar to saying "Daddy" or "Papa." This is the kind of relationship God invites us into—not one of fear but of love and trust.
Romans 8:15 echoes this truth: "For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" This means we don’t have to approach God as slaves who are afraid of their master, but as children who are dearly loved by their Father.
Applying This to Our Lives
We can trust in God's timing. Just as God sent Jesus at the perfect time, He also works in our lives according to His perfect plan. Even when we don’t understand His timing, we can trust that He knows what is best.
Our salvation is secured through Christ. Jesus came to redeem us, not because of anything we did, but because of His love and grace. We don’t have to strive to earn God’s approval—through Christ, we are already accepted.
We are children of God. Through faith in Jesus, we are not just saved from sin but adopted into God’s family. This means we can approach Him with confidence, knowing that He loves us as His own.
The Holy Spirit assures us of our relationship with God. The Spirit within us reminds us that we belong to Him and helps us to cry out to God as our loving Father. Whenever we feel distant from God, we can rely on the Spirit to bring us back into that close relationship.
Conclusion: Galatians 4:4-6 beautifully captures the heart of the gospel. It reminds us of God's perfect timing, the incredible sacrifice of Jesus, and the privilege we have as God’s children through the Holy Spirit. We are no longer slaves to sin or fear; we are adopted into the family of God, able to call Him "Abba, Father." As we reflect on these truths, may we grow in our love for God, trusting in His plan and living in the freedom and joy of our adoption.
Galatians 4:4-6. When the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children. And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”