The Child Heir

"Let me show you the implications of this. As long as the heir is a minor, he has no advantage over the slave. Though legally he owns the entire inheritance, he is subject to tutors and administrators until whatever date the father has set for emancipation. That is the way it is with us: When we were minors, we were just like slaves ordered around by simple instructions (the tutors and administrators of this world), with no say in the conduct of our own lives." (Galatians 4:1-3 - The Message)

The word translated minor or child means an infant or baby. It also is used of a minor, a child in contrast to an adult. Paul says that the child of the owner of the household is really no different from the child of a slave in the household. Both are required to obey those in authority over them.

In fact, the heir of the household, when he is a child was required to obey the slaves that he would one day own. The two positions that Paul mentions in verse 2 are not the same as the child-attendant that Paul mentions in chapter 3.

Guardian or tutor is a general word used for a steward given a certain area of responsibility. This word was used for the guardian given responsibility for the general well being and training of the master’s children. They would often have other slaves, such as the child-attendant, under their direction who would directly take care of the children.

Steward or Governor or Administrator referred to the chief slave who was responsible for the affairs of the entire household. He was the overseer or household manager. He was often more a friend than a slave. In most cases, he had considerable authority and freedom in managing the affairs of the master’s house. He was in charge of all the household slaves and all the children.

The phrase in verse 3 “the elements of the world” or "simple instructions" has been the center of much debate. Elements refers to the rudimentary principles. It was used of children learning the alphabet. World, in the Greek, is kosmos. It had many shades of meaning.

When examined in context, the most likely interpretation is that Paul is referring to the Law as being the ABCs of the natural realm. It was designed for a time when people had a limited amount of spiritual understanding and required a guardian to protect their well being and a steward to oversee their affairs. This was the Law. During its dispensation saved people did not enjoy the freedom in Christ that we have now.

One in Christ

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:26-29 - King James Version)

The word sons, sometimes translated children, in verse 26 means adult sons. We have grown up because of faith in Christ and no longer require the services of the Law, which was designed for spiritual children.

Most commentators write about water baptism in respect to verse 27. However, I do not think this verse is speaking of that. Baptized means immersed. When a person is born again, they are immersed into Christ in a mystical sense. We are in Christ.

In Christ, all the barriers that separate people disappear. This is very powerful in light of whom Paul’s opponents were. They were Jews. Jewish men often prayed along these lines, “Thank you Lord that I am a Jew, not a Gentile dog; a man, not a lowly woman; and a freeman, not a poor slave.”

As far as our relationship with God goes these distinctions no longer matter. All people, whatever their nationality, their gender, or their social status, stand on equal ground before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. No individual, no group of people, has an inside track to Heaven.

However, Paul is not teaching that these distinctions no longer exist. He is saying that they do not matter in our personal relationship with God. We are all saved by grace through faith.

However, Paul in the book of Romans speaks about how God still has a special plan for the people of Israel. The New Testament teaches that men and women have different obligations. The New Testament also talks about the duty of slaves to obey their masters. Trusting in God did not remove them from slavery.

In Christ, we are one. In Christ, we are equal. In Christ, there are no distinctions. In Christ, there is no room for pride in self. However, that does not remove our individuality or make us all the same or require us all to serve God in the same way.

If we are in Christ, then we are Abraham’s spiritual seed, his children. If we are Abraham’s children, then we inherit the promise God made to him. If we are Abraham’s children by faith, then like Abraham, because we have believed God, God has counted us as righteous.

The Law had a purpose. From Moses until Jesus, it was a judge declaring people guilty; it was a prison guard keeping people in sin’s prison; and it was nanny bringing people to spiritual maturity that they might trust in the coming Messiah. Once Jesus came and died, the Law could go into retirement.

The Law is a Nanny

"We were kept under control by Moses’ laws until this faith came. We were under their control until this faith which was about to come would be revealed. Before Christ came, Moses’ laws served as our guardian. Christ came so that we could receive God’s approval by faith. But now that this faith has come, we are no longer under the control of a guardian." (Galatians 3:23-25- GOD'S WORD)

The Greek word translated guardian or tutor is difficult to translate because in our culture we have no position equivalent to it. It has been translated school master, child-custodian, child-attendant, guardian, instructor, and guide. In Greek and Romans times, this person, usually a slave, had the duty of escorting the master’s children to and from school. They also were responsible for the children’s behavior. They were often harsh and cruel in disciplining the children. According to John Stott, this guardian was “usually depicted in ancient drawings with a rod or cane in his hand.” (The Message of Galatians: Only One Way, InterVaristy Press, 1968)

I would say the closest thing that we have to this position in our society is a nanny. She escorts the children, disciplines the children and is responsible for them. The Law is our nanny.

The Law was designed to escort people to Christ. The Law shows a person that he is guilty. The Law imprisons a person so they can see their hopelessness. The Law tells us that we need a Saviour to rescue us. The Law should make a person look for a redeemer, for Christ, for Jesus.

Once the Law has brought us to Christ, it has fulfilled its purpose. Once a Roman child became an adult, they no longer needed a guardian, a nanny. After Christ came in the flesh, the Law is no longer required. The Law, the judge, the prison guard, the nanny can retire.