FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
A. This chapter divides into three distinct sections:
1. Gal_4:1-11 (or 1-7) continues discussing Gentiles as full heirs of God by faith (like Abraham) and not slaves to the world's crude notions. Gal_4:1-11 are very similar to the emphasis of Rom_8:1-17.
2. Gal_4:12-20 (or 8-20) contains Paul's appeal to their personal experiences (cf. Gal_3:1-5).
3. Gal_4:21-31 contains an Old Testament allegory based on the first two sons of Abraham.
B. Paul used two cultural metaphors to emphasize the purpose of the Old Testament Law and its relationship to New Testament believers:
1. Roman law concerning children and their guardians.
2. Rabbinical typology concerning Abraham's life.
C. This chapter also illustrates the close relationship between Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal_4:6):
1. Jesus asks the Father and He sends the Spirit
a. Jesus sends the Spirit in Joh_14:16; Joh_15:26; Joh_16:7
b. the Father sends the Spirit in Joh_14:26
c. both from the Father and the Son in Luk_24:49
d. Jesus spoke out of His unity with the Father, so the Spirit speaks out of His unity with them both
2. "Another of the same kind." The best name for the Spirit is "the other Jesus":
D. Definitions of Allegory and Typology (Gal_4:21-31)
1. Allegory seeks a hidden, deeper level of meaning in every text. It imports meaning into the text that has no relation at all to the intended meaning of the original author or his day or even the thrust of Scripture as a whole.
2. Typology seeks to focus on the unity of the Bible, based on one divine Author and one divine Plan. Similarities between the OT and NT pre-figure truths. These similarities (i.e., Hos_11:1) rise naturally out of a reading of the entire Bible (cf. Rom_15:4; 1Co_10:6; 1Co_10:11; 1Pe_1:12).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Why did Paul continue to emphasize our sonship in Christ?
2. What is the threefold emphasis of Gal_4:4 in connection with the person of Jesus?
3. What is the relationship between Gal_4:8-9 as far as our knowing God or our being known by God?
4. What is the meaning of the phrase "the world's crude notion" or "stoicheia?" Explain.
5. What was Paul's thorn in the flesh which is apparently referred to in Gal_4:14-15?
6. Why must we be careful of allegorical interpretations? If Jesus and Paul used it, why can't we?
7. Explain in your own words how Gal_4:9 is related to Gal_4:6-7.