An Overview of Galatians

By Joe Guagliardo

Galatians 4:1-11

“Are you a minor heir, Paul says, No!”

June 21, 2023

Parables, Parables, Parables

When I was studying to be a lay minister almost 30 years ago, I had trouble with several things. But, I had the most challenging time distinguishing between when Jesus was telling a Simile, Parable, or Metaphor.

This may seem unusual to you, but I did not do well in Elementary or High school English classes.

So, for you first-timers, here’s the difference.

Simile – a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid (e.g., as brave as a lion, crazy like a fox ).

Parable – a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels.

“the parable of the blind men and the elephant”

Metaphor – a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

(Her eyes were diamonds. He is a shining star. The snow is a white blanket.)

(Online Google Dictionary)

It seems very basic, but I had a problem with it, at the time. So today, let me introduce you to our next devotion, saying it begins with a parable.

In today’s lesson, the Apostle tells a Parable. Let’s take a look.

“What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces (4:3 Or under the basic principles) of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. (4:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.) Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So, you are no longer a slave but God’s child, and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who, by nature, are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces (4:9 Or principles)? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.”

Galatians 4:1-11

As we see in Paul’s writing above, he uses a parable as an example for the Galatians. Paul is comparing an heir of an estate to when it was time for us to attain eternal life through Jesus.

And the heir of an estate, even though he is next in line to be the owner, doesn’t have full reign of the estate until he/she comes of age. The same is true for the Jews and Gentiles. They were underage (not ready) for a savior. Finally, God sent His only Son, in what the English Standard Version of the Bible says:

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

Galatians 4:4-5 (English Standard Version)

In other words, Paul is saying when the time was right, God’s promise was fulfilled. He sent His only Son to save the world and gave us the opportunity to no longer live under the law.

Finally, Paul had preached to the Galatians that they were saved by Grace, through Faith, not by keeping (attempting to keep) the law perfectly. Unfortunately, the Galatians were considering reverting back to their old ways.

The Galatians were beginning to go back to their old pagan ways. Some were once again trying to satisfy idols through sacrifices and piousness. To say the least, Paul is angry with the Galatians. He can’t believe they are willing to back to their old ways and give up all the freedom they have been given through Christ.

As I said, Paul was angry. Perhaps that’s why he finished verse 11 by saying:

“I fear for you that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.”

God never gives up on us, but He will move on when He feels His efforts are wasted on you.