Galatians 4:1-11

The Gospel Life vs. Legalism

We've been examining the book of Galatians, comparing the gospel life—a life lived by faith, by the grace of Jesus Christ, motivated by the gospel message—with legalism, a life lived by law. My devotion to God does not impress Him or earn freedom from sin. Service to Him is not to gain something from God.

The law is good, intended to bring us to Jesus Christ. Like marriage, which God created good, sin can distort it. Legalism is outward devotion to God without inward devotion—a public display of righteousness without personal, private relationship with Jesus Christ.

Recall the close of Galatians 3 and Jesus' words in Matthew 23 about the Pharisees. They cleaned the outside of the cup but were full of murder and lack of self-control inwardly. They had an outward facade but no true repentance.

Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

— Galatians 4:1-11 (NKJV)

Paul's Illustration: From Child to Heir

Paul picks up the concept from the end of Galatians 3. The law exposes sin and acts as a tutor, leading us to Christ. He presents an illustration, a conclusion, a problem to avoid, and the danger of legalism.

Paul shows what freedom in Christ looks like compared to life before Christ. Freedom is not freedom to sin but freedom unto obedience. We glimpse our past lives before Jesus.

This is not the slavery to righteousness in Romans but slavery in a Galatians context—context determines the meaning. Paul illustrates with a child (infant in Greek), not yet ready for inheritance, under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. It's the father's determination, not the child's age, that matters—key to salvation.

Consider the prodigal son: he took inheritance early, squandered it, then returned repentant. Children are under restrictions for their good, like infants rebelling against boundaries to prevent harm. Parents appoint guardians or babysitters because children pursue what they want, leading to danger.

A child does not differ from a slave—both under control until the appointed time, when the child becomes master (Greek: kurios, lord). Even so, when we were children—before Christ—we were in bondage under the elements of the world (elementary principles).

For the non-believer, this conveys: you are a slave, under law, restrictions, not freedom. These elementary principles include the law, an Old Testament system of physical acts pointing to spiritual realities—like sacrifices foreshadowing Christ.

Leviticus seems dry without seeing Christ; Jesus said if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me (John 5). Colossians 2 explains enslavement to these principles.

If you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?

— Colossians 2:20-21 (NKJV)

These are do's and don'ts pertaining to food, drink, Sabbaths—shadows of Christ. Man-made religions like Roman Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Mormonism add lists of do's and don'ts. Christianity is not that; it's passed away. Your former life was slavery to do's and don'ts, exposure of sin.

Slavery to Idolatry

Our former life involved serving what by nature are not gods—idolatry. Every sin links to idolatry. Legalism reverts to that. Paul tells Gentiles: your desire for legalism (observing days, months) is like your pagan worship before Christ.

Jews saw themselves holier than idolatrous Gentiles, but Paul equates Pharisaic legalism—even strict monotheistic Judaism used to justify oneself—with idolatry. It removes God, making self Savior and Lord.

Outward and inward devotion should be simultaneous (James 2 shows faith by works). Paul addresses those thinking outward is enough. Legalism prevents gospel obedience; people attend church to appease conscience, then sin. Roman Catholicism's acts of contrition, penance exemplify outward devotion without inward reality.

The Proper Response: Gospel Motivation

Don't be taken captive by philosophy, empty deceit, traditions of men, or elementary principles—focus on Christ (Colossians 2:8).

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us... having nailed it to the cross. And having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

— Colossians 2:13-15 (NKJV)

Alive in Christ, sins forgiven, decrees canceled, hostility removed, rulers disarmed. No one judges you by food, festivals, Sabbaths—these are shadows; Christ is the reality (Colossians 2:16-17).

Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels... If you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why... do you subject yourselves to regulations... which indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

— Colossians 2:18, 20, 23 (NKJV)

Legalism appears wise but does nothing against sin—it reverts to former self. Gospel motivation recognizes Christ's victory: forgiven, free to serve, free to repent because freed from sin.

Gospel vocabulary: "I was disobedient," not "defeated by sin." Christ triumphed; by faith, we overcome (1 John 5:4). True obedience is gospel-motivated.

Paul's Fear: Laboring in Vain

Paul fears his labor was in vain: he painted the gospel vividly—I have been crucified with Christ... He became sin for me—yet they desire pre-Christ idolatry.

These men set up idols in their hearts and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I be inquired of at all by them?

— Ezekiel 14:3 (NKJV)

Religious leaders had outward devotion but inward idolatry. Legalism robs joy and satisfaction in Christ. Formerly slaves, now sons, known by God—adopted heirs.

This is eternal life: knowing God and Jesus Christ (John 17:3)—intimate connection now, not just in heaven. Don't let legalism rob your position in Christ.