The book of Galatians is one of the most wonderful books that God has sent to us to learn about righteousness by faith. In this chapter, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, touches on righteousness by faith toward the end of the chapter. We are called by God to speak a lot about this topic, as this is the most needed understanding and experience Christians need and often lack.
We can have all knowledge, but it does not profit anything if we do not resemble Jesus.
Galatians 4: Bible Study Questions
This helps us understand more clearly how we can receive righteousness, which no human possesses. Sadly, many human beings claim to be righteous, but they do not understand that it is an illusion. Human pride wants to believe they are good. The Bible says that unless we realize and are honest enough to acknowledge that there is no one good, then we are not converted and remain in a lost condition, even if we claim to believe in Jesus. Let us dig deeper into Galatians 4: Bible Study Questions.
GA 4:4
“Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;”
Who is the heir of God? Let us study Galatians 4: Bible Study Questions.
On earth, Jesus came as a servant to show what the spirit of heaven is like. In fact, things in heaven are very different from things on earth. In heaven, to make others happy and to serve others is the greatest joy. On earth, people love to be served and to trample on others. Jesus gave us the example. Jesus differed in nothing from earthly servants, yet Jesus is the Creator of all things. Meekness and lowliness—these are attributes we need to receive if we want to enter heaven.
GA 4:2
“But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.”
Who are governors and tutors in Galatians 4: Bible Study Questions?
On earth there are earthly rulers. The Bible never says these are sent by God, but it says we must obey earthly rulers. Obeying does not make us holy, as we can follow all earthly rules and still be selfish, proud, unloving, and unkind.
Jesus on earth was also subject to rules such as gravity, needing to eat, and needing to sleep—things He was not subject to before becoming a man. Jesus, Hebrews says, had to become in all things like a man to pass the test, live a sinless life, and gain the victory.
By faith in Jesus’ sacrifice, we can now be forgiven of all our sins and one day hope to live forever, where there will be no more sorrow, no more tears, and no more death.
Revelation 2:10
“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
It is not how you start your Christian life but how you end it, as all can fall away. This is a doctrine of devils taught in many Christian churches that say one is always saved. No, we saw that Israel rejected present truth and were rejected. In the time of Noah, people rejected the message to enter the ark and were rejected. Modern Christianity rejected the first angel’s message and became Babylon.
This is very important: we need to follow in the steps of the Lord and accept new truth. Many people accept one part of the Bible and reject any new message God sends. They say, “My mother was a member of this church, and it is good enough for me,” and in doing so they reject Jesus.
Galatians 4: Bible Study Questions tells us that this can only be done with Jesus’ righteousness. Humans have no righteousness. Only God has righteousness and can give us His righteousness.
Revelation 21:4
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
GA 4:3
“Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:”
The Jewish nation was under bondage. As Jesus’ death on the cross was still in the future, they had to show their faith by sacrificing animals, showing they believed that one day the Messiah would die on the cross.
Once Jesus died, we are no longer under the condemnation of the law. We are to keep the Ten Commandments, as sin is the transgression of the law. But we only need to ask forgiveness for our sins, and we do not need to bring an animal sacrifice, because Jesus already died on the cross. Jesus’ love for you is so immense that He preferred to die on the cross rather than be separated from you for all eternity.
GA 4:4
“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law,”
Studying Galatians 4: Bible Study Questions, we learn that when Jesus was baptized, He said the time is fulfilled. Which time was fulfilled? The 69 weeks of the 2300-day prophecy. It starts when Jerusalem is rebuilt and ends in 1844, which is 2300 years later.
Gabriel says from Jerusalem rebuilt to Messiah’s baptism is 69 weeks, or 490 years, from 457 BC to AD 27. Truly, the fullness of time had come, and Jesus was baptized and died exactly as the prophecy told us.
GA 4:5
“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
Old Testament people were not saved by the law, as we are all saved by grace. If anyone could be saved by works, then Jesus would not have needed to die on the cross. But they were under the condemnation of the law, as the Messiah had not yet come.
They had to show their faith in some way, and God chose for them to show their faith through animal sacrifices when they sinned. In Galatians 4: Bible Study Questions, we learn that they were redeemed, and we also are redeemed by the blood of Jesus, which cleanses us from all sin.
Do you believe Jesus died for you? Do you ask forgiveness for all your sins? Then you can believe you are truly forgiven.
GA 4:6
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
The Holy Spirit teaches us truth. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. Without Him, we would not feel the need to repent, as the natural heart is in enmity against God. Our minds are darkened, and we do not know truth from lies unless the Holy Spirit reveals it.
The Holy Spirit comforts us in affliction. His presence gives us hope and love. We can go forward knowing that Jesus loves you, and you can feel His incredible presence in your heart.
GA 4:7
“Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
As God gives us His righteousness, we become sons of God by birth and by redemption. Our character is what identifies us before God. Are we meek and lowly like Jesus? If not, then we do not belong to God.
GA 4:8
“Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.”
Lack of knowledge can lead to destruction, as we all have a responsibility to find out why we are here and what truth is. We must seek truth. Following what society believes will not be acceptable before God, as society is wicked and fallen. Following the multitude to do evil is not correct.
God is truth, and the Bible is truth. If we do not take time to seek truth, it means we do not care enough about eternal life. Galatians 4: Bible Study Questions tells us that knowing truth is one step, but receiving God’s righteousness is where conversion comes from, as even Satan knows truth but will not be saved.
GA 4:9
“But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements…”
Paul speaks about people who knew that Jesus died for them and still wanted to be saved by works. Humans love to believe there is good in them; they want to be proud and say they do not need God. They thus make the cross of Jesus of none effect.
Sadly, the world is filled with legalists who think they are good and holy. It is a lie. There is none good; none seeks after God.
GA 4:10
“Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.”
Here it does not refer to the Sabbath day as some claim. In Colossians 2, it refers to the law of ordinances nailed to the cross. The Ten Commandments were not nailed to the cross, because the law gives knowledge of sin.
These years and months were yearly sabbaths that pointed to Jesus on the cross. The seventh-day Sabbath is not part of those feast days; it points to creation and cannot fail. In heaven, all will worship before God from Sabbath to Sabbath.
GA 4:11–31 (continued section)
Paul expresses concern that his labor may have been in vain. When people reject righteousness by faith and return to legalism, they return to bondage.
Paul shows that freedom in Christ is not bondage to works but trust in God’s righteousness. Legalism is bondage, while righteousness by faith is freedom.
Abraham’s two sons illustrate two covenants: one of bondage and one of promise. This is an allegory of law versus grace, flesh versus promise.
Jerusalem above represents freedom, while Mount Sinai represents bondage.
We are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
Final Appeal
Let us humble ourselves and recognize that we are not good and that only God has righteousness. Let us ask Him daily:
Father God, please forgive our sins, help us understand, and give us Your righteousness. Help us walk with You daily and follow Your Word and not society. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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