How does Galatians 4:21 challenge the belief in salvation through the law? Text Of Galatians 4:21 “Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says?” Immediate Context Paul addresses Gentile and Jewish believers in Galatia who are drifting toward legalism under the influence of Judaizers. Chapters 3–4 argue that reliance on Torah‐keeping for right standing with God reverses the gospel of grace (Galatians 1:6-9; 3:1-3). Verse 21 launches the climactic illustration of Hagar and Sarah (4:22-31), spotlighting two covenants—one that enslaves, one that frees. Paul’S Rhetorical Strategy By posing a question, Paul obliges the law-minded to examine the very Scriptures they revere. He appeals to the written revelation (“what the law says”) to expose the law’s own self-testimony: it cannot impart life (3:21) and, when misapplied, binds its adherents under a curse (3:10). Exegetical Notes • “Want to be under the law” (hoi thelontes hypo nomon einai) signals conscious choice, not ethnic accident. • “Under” (hypo) conveys dominion and condemnation (cf. Romans 6:14; 7:6). • The “law” (nomos) here is the Pentateuch as covenant code, not generic Scripture; Paul cites Genesis to show that even Genesis undercuts legalism. Abrahamic Versus Mosaic Covenants Genesis 15 precedes Sinai by four centuries (Galatians 3:17). Abram is justified by faith apart from works (Genesis 15:6). The Mosaic covenant, added “because of transgressions” (Galatians 3:19), functions as a guardian until Christ. Thus salvation has always been by promise, not performance. Function Of The Law 1. Reveals sin (Romans 3:20). 2. Provokes transgression (Romans 5:20). 3. Serves as pedagogue directing sinners to Christ (Galatians 3:24-25). It was never designed as a ladder to heaven. Verse 21 challenges any soteriology that makes the law do what God never assigned it to do. Hagar And Sarah Typology (4:22-31) • Hagar = Mount Sinai, present Jerusalem, slavery. • Sarah = Jerusalem above, freedom, promise. Isaac’s birth is “through the Spirit” (4:29), mirroring regeneration (John 3:6-8). The expulsion of Hagar (Genesis 21:10) symbolizes casting out the covenant of works as a means of inheritance: “the slave’s son will never share the inheritance with the free woman’s son” (4:30). Christ’S Fulfillment Of The Law Jesus was “born under the law, to redeem those under the law” (Galatians 4:4-5). His sinless obedience satisfies its demands (Matthew 5:17-18), and His crucifixion bears its curse (Galatians 3:13). Resurrection vindicates His victory, offering imputed righteousness to believers (Romans 4:25). Implications For Salvation 1. Justification is by faith alone (Galatians 2:16). 2. Adoption replaces bondage; believers cry, “Abba, Father!” (Galatians 4:6-7). 3. Reliance on works nullifies grace and severs one from Christ (Galatians 5:4). 4. Ethical transformation flows from the Spirit, not legal compulsion (Galatians 5:16-25). Answering Common Objections • Objection: “Keeping the law perfects faith.” Response: “Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (3:3). • Objection: “The law is the believer’s covenant.” Response: Hebrews 8:13 declares the Mosaic covenant obsolete, replaced by the new covenant ratified in Christ’s blood (Luke 22:20). • Objection: “Faith without law breeds moral chaos.” Response: The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, and “against such things there is no law” (5:22-23). Contemporary Application Any system—ritualistic, moralistic, or philosophical—that conditions acceptance with God on human merit repeats the Galatian error. Baptism, communion, philanthropy, or cultural activism cannot supplement the cross. Assurance rests solely on the finished work of the risen Christ. Conclusion Galatians 4:21 confronts the allure of self-salvation. By appealing to the law’s own narrative, Paul demonstrates that Scripture univocally proclaims freedom in the promised Seed. Salvation is gracious, Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered, and received through faith alone—so that all glory redounds to God alone. |
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