Chapter 4
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The
folly of returning to legal observances for justification
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1–7
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The
happy change made in the Gentile believers
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8–11
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The
apostle reasons against following false teachers
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12–18
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He
expresses his earnest concern for them
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19,
20
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And
then explains the difference between what is to be expected from the law, and
from the gospel
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21–31
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Verses 1–7
The apostle deals plainly with those who urged the law of
Moses together with the gospel of Christ, and endeavoured to bring believers
under its bondage. They could not fully understand the meaning of the law as
given by Moses. And as that was a dispensation of darkness, so of bondage; they
were tied to many burdensome rites and observances, by which they were taught
and kept subject like a child under tutors and governors. We learn the happier
state of Christians under the gospel dispensation. From these verses see the
wonders of Divine love and mercy; particularly of God the Father, in sending
his Son into the world to redeem and save us; of the Son of God, in submitting
so low, and suffering so much for us; and of the Holy Spirit, in condescending
to dwell in the hearts of believers, for such gracious purposes. Also, the
advantages Christians enjoy under the gospel. Although by nature children of
wrath and disobedience, they become by grace children of love, and partake of
the nature of the children of God; for he will have all his children resemble
him. Among men the eldest son is heir; but all God’s children shall have the
inheritance of eldest sons. May the temper and conduct of sons ever show our
adoption; and may the Holy Spirit witness with our spirits that we are children
and heirs of God.
Verses 8–11
The happy change whereby the Galatians were turned from
idols to the living God, and through Christ had received the adoption of sons,
was the effect of his free and rich grace; they were laid under the greater
obligation to keep to the liberty wherewith he had made them free. All our
knowledge of God begins on his part; we know him because we are known of him.
Though our religion forbids idolatry, yet many practise spiritual idolatry in
their hearts. For what a man loves most, and cares most for, that is his god:
some have their riches for their god, some their pleasures, and some their
lusts. And many ignorantly worship a god of their own making; a god made all of
mercy and no justice. For they persuade themselves that there is mercy for them
with God, though they repent not, but go on in their sins. It is possible for
those who have made great professions of religion, to be afterwards drawn aside
from purity and simplicity. And the more mercy God has shown, in bringing any
to know the gospel, and the liberties and privileges of it, the greater their
sin and folly in suffering themselves to be deprived of them. Hence all who are
members of the outward church should learn to fear and to suspect themselves.
We must not be content because we have some good things in ourselves. Paul
fears lest his labour is in vain, yet he still labours; and thus to do,
whatever follows, is true wisdom and the fear of God. This every man must
remember in his place and calling.
Verses 12–18
The apostle desires that they would be of one mind with him
respecting the law of Moses, as well as united with him in love. In reproving
others, we should take care to convince them that our reproofs are from sincere
regard to the honour of God and religion and their welfare. The apostle reminds
the Galatians of the difficulty under which he laboured when he first came
among them. But he notices, that he was a welcome messenger to them. Yet how
very uncertain are the favour and respect of men! Let us labour to be accepted
of God. You once thought yourselves happy in receiving the gospel; have you now
reason to think otherwise? Christians must not forbear speaking the truth, for
fear of offending others. The false teachers who drew the Galatians from the
truth of the gospel were designing men. They pretended affection, but they were
not sincere and upright. An excellent rule is given. It is good to be zealous
always in a good thing; not for a time only, or now and then, but always. Happy
would it be for the church of Christ, if this zeal was better maintained.
Verses 19, 20
The Galatians were ready to account the apostle their enemy,
but he assures them he was their friend; he had the feelings of a parent toward
them. He was in doubt as to their state, and was anxious to know the result of
their present delusions. Nothing is so sure a proof that a sinner has passed
into a state of justification, as Christ being formed in him by the renewal of
the Holy Spirit; but this cannot be hoped for, while men depend on the law for
acceptance with God.
Verses 21–27
The difference between believers who rested in Christ only,
and those who trusted in the law, is explained by the histories of Isaac and
Ishmael. These things are an allegory, wherein, beside the literal and
historical sense of the words, the Spirit of God points out something further.
Hagar and Sarah were apt emblems of the two different dispensations of the
covenant. The heavenly Jerusalem, the true church from above, represented by
Sarah, is in a state of freedom, and is the mother of all believers, who are
born of the Holy Spirit. They were by regeneration and true faith, made a part
of the true seed of Abraham, according to the promise made to him.
Verses 28–31
The history thus explained is applied. So then, brethren, we
are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free. If the privileges of all
believers were so great, according to the new covenant, how absurd for the
Gentile converts to be under that law, which could not deliver the unbelieving
Jews from bondage or condemnation! We should not have found out this allegory
in the history of Sarah and Hagar, if it had not been shown to us, yet we
cannot doubt it was intended by the Holy Spirit. It is an explanation of the
subject, not an argument in proof of it. The two covenants of works and grace,
and legal and evangelical professors, are shadowed forth. Works and fruits
brought forth in a man’s own strength, are legal. But if arising from faith in
Christ, they are evangelical. The first covenant spirit is of bondage unto sin
and death. The second covenant spirit is of liberty and freedom; not liberty to
sin, but in and unto duty. The first is a spirit of persecution; the second is
a spirit of love. Let those professors look to it, who have a violent, harsh,
imposing spirit, towards the people of God. Yet as Abraham turned aside to
Hagar, so it is possible a believer may turn aside in some things to the
covenant of works, when through unbelief and neglect of the promise he acts
according to the law, in his own strength; or in a way of violence, not of
love, towards the brethren. Yet it is not his way, not his spirit to do so;
hence he is never at rest, till he returns to his dependence on Christ again.
Let us rest our souls on the Scriptures, and by a gospel hope and cheerful
obedience, show that our conversation and treasure are indeed in heaven.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
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