Galatians Chapter IV

Translation: The Orthodox New Testament, Holy Apostles Convent, Buena Vista, CO, 1999.

Intro:

(Gal 3:36-4:11) “ The Galatians, who were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe, have experienced through redemption by God’s Son and divine adoption the freedom of the “sons” ( = children) of God; why do they want again to become slaves, this time to the demands of the Law?” (Raymond Brown, An Introduction to the New Testament, p. 472)

1 Now I say, as long as the heir is an infant, he differs nothing from a slave, though he is lord of all;

A.) Prior to the Incarnation – pagan religions were enslaved in servitude to the planets and stars. A statement against Astrology

“The word "child" in this place denotes not age but understanding; meaning that God had from the beginning designed for us these gifts, but, as we yet continued childish, He let us be under the elements of the world, that is, new moons and Sabbaths, for these days are regulated by the course of sun and moon. . . And see what is the consequence of observing days; the Lord, the Master of the house, the Sovereign Ruler, is thereby reduced to the rank of a servant (Chrysostom, Homily, Galatians Chapt. 4).”

Against Astrology:
Astrology was condemned by the Church as early as the 2nd C., in the book, “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, (Chapt. 3:4)” and by the 35th Canon of the Council of Laodicia in the year 360 A.D.

2 but he is under guardian and stewards until the appointed time of the father. 3 So we also, when we were infants, were enslaved under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a women, born under the law,

5 in order that He might redeem those under the law, that we might receive what is our due, the adoption as sons.

1.) Two causes and accomplishments of the Incarnation
a.) Release from the curse of the law
b.) And Adoption

2.) What is our “due” was promised to Abraham

3.) How does one receive “adoption” as a child of God?

“And how does it appear that we have become sons? He has told us one mode, in that we have put on Christ who is the Son; and now he mentions another, in that we have received the Spirit of adoption. (Chrysostom, Homily, Galatians Chapt. 4).”

* Clearly references to Baptism and Chrismation

6 But because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father.” 7 So that no longer are you a slave, but a son; and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.

“Had not we been first made sons, we could not have called Him Father. If then grace has made us freemen instead of slaves, men instead of children, heirs and sons instead of aliens, is it not utter absurdity and stupidity to desert this grace, and to turn away backwards? (Chrysostom, Homily, Galatians Chapt. 4).”

8 But then indeed, when you knew not God, you slaved for those which are not gods by nature; 9 but now, having come to know God - how do you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements which you wish to slave for anew?

1. False Gods and Idolatry

“Here turning to the Gentile believers he says that it is an idolatry, this rigid observance of days, and now incurs a severe punishment. To enforce this, and inspire them with a deeper anxiety, he calls the elements "not by nature gods." And his meaning is, - Then indeed, as being benighted and bewildered, you lay groveling upon the earth, but now that you have known God or rather are known of Him, how great and bitter will be the chastisement you draw upon yourself, if, after such a treatment, you relapse into the same disease. It was not by your own pains that you found God, but while you continued in error, He drew you to Himself. He says "weak and beggarly rudiments," in that they avail nothing towards the good things held out to us. (Chrysostom, Homily, Galatians Chapt. 4).”

10 You observe days, and months, and seasons, and years!

1.The Judiazers were teaching observance of the Law as a requirement for salvation.

“Hence is plain that their teachers were preaching to them not only circumscision, but also the feast-days and new-moons (Chrysostom, Homily, Galatians Chapt. 4).”

Q. How is the Orthodox Church’s Liturgical Cycle any different?

11 I am afraid for you, lest perchance in vain I have labored in regard to you.

1. Admonishing when needed

“Observe the tender compassion of the Apostle; they were shaken and he trembles and fears. And hence he has put it so as thoroughly to shame them, ‘I have bestowed labor upon you,’ saying, as it were, make not in vain the labors which have cost me sweat and pain. By saying ‘I fear,’ and subjoining the word ‘lest,’ he both inspires alarm, and encourages good hope. He says not ‘I have labored in vain,’ but ‘lest,’ which is as much as to say, the wreck has not happened, but I see the storm big with it; so I am in fear, yet not in despair; you have the power to set all right, and to return into your former calm.
Then, as it were stretching out a hand to them thus tempest-tost, he brings himself into the midst, saying…(Chrysostom, Homily, Galatians Chapt. 4).”

12 Brethren, I entreat you, keep on becoming as I am, for I was also as you.

1. Change is a process that takes time –old habits are hard to break, especially if someone is enticing to continue in them.

“This is addressed to his Jewish disciples, and he brings his own example forward, to persuade them to abandon their old customs. ‘Though you had none other for an example,’ he says, ‘to look at me only would have sufficed for such a transition, and for your taking courage. Therefore gaze with eyes wide open on me; I too suffered these things- especially so; I had a burning zeal for the Law; yet afterwards I did not fear to leave the Law, to remove myself from that rule of life. And this you know full well how excessively I clung hold of Judiaism, and yet how with greater force I let these things go. (Chrysostom, Homily, Galatians Chapt. 4).”

2. One is more likely converted by someone who has had a common experience. (AA, Etc)

“He does well to place this last in order: for most men, though they are given a thousand reasons, and those just ones, are more readily influenced by that which is like their own case, and more firmly hold to that which they see done by others. (Chrysostom, Homily, Galatians Chapt. 4).”

12b You wronged me in nothing.

Observe how he again addresses them with a name of honor . . . after he exceedingly chided them . . . he again relaxed, speaking mildly, and attended to curing them. . . to be constantly talked at with sharpness sours a man. . . After giving them a deep cut, he pours in this encouragement like oil; and, showing that his words were not words of hate or enmity, he reminds them of the love which they had evinced toward him… (Chrysostom, Homily, Galatians Chapt. 4).”