Illustrated New TestamentGalatians 4

Though he be lord of all; though he is to inherit all.

The elements of the world. The Jewish institutions are obviously intended by this expression; but why they are, so designated is not very clear.

The fulness of the time; the full time predicted.—Made under the law; born a. Jew, and consequently under the Mosaic institutions.

To redeem them, &c.; thus showing that they owe their redemption not to their Judaism, but to their Christianity.

The apostle here appears to address the Gentile portion of the Galatian churches.—Ye did service unto, ye were in bondage unto.

Ye observe; that is, religiously; depending upon such observances for acceptance with God.

This passage is evidently elliptical, and is considered obscure.

Through infirmity of the flesh; that is, suffering under infirmity of the flesh. (Comp. 2 Cor. 12:7.)

As Christ Jesus; as clothed with his authority.

They; the false teachers.—Zealously affect you; pretend to be ardently interested in your welfare.—Exclude you; separate you; that is, from me.

Always in a good thing; that is, to adhere firmly and steadily to what is right.—Not only, &c.; referring to what he had said in v. 15.

Of whom I travail in birth; for whom I feel the deepest solicitude and anxiety.

To change my voice; that is, to administer admonition and reproof to them, which it had not been necessary to do when he was with them before.

A bond-maid; Hagar.

An allegory; that is, may be regarded as such.—These are the two covenants; may be considered as representing the two covenants.

Is Mount Sinai; that is, represents Mount Sinai in this illustration.

Jerusalem which is above; the spiritual Jerusalem; that is, the body of believers under the gospel.

It is written; Isa. 54:1.

He that was born after the flesh; Ishmael, the son of Hagar.—Him that was born after the Spirit; Isaac.

Cast out, &c.The rejection of Hagar thus represents the rejection of the bondage and servitude entailed by the Jewish law.