Lesson 44 Sept 18, 2002

Review:

4:20 Paul perplexed

but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

Summary 4:20

1. Ever since Paul became aware of their drift towards legalism, responding to the Judaizers, it was his desire to be there with them and to communicate the truth once again to them so that they might sense again the blessing that was theirs in Christ.

2. Notice that Paul senses the need for a difference in tone of voice depending on the circumstances.

3. We also find here that Paul was not at all exempt from the trials and tribulations that attend a prolonged ministry to a local assembly of believers.

- he was perplexed at their inconsistency

- their lack of spiritual advance grieved him - [still teknon]

- their positive response to those who taught false doctrine and attacked his authority agonized him.

4. When people choose to leave the freedom that is in Christ and return to the slavery of law performance living it can and will perplex the communicator of God's Word.

4:21-31 Scriptural illustration to teach the contrast between law and grace; works and faith.

Outline

1. 4:21 The challenge

2. 4:22-23 Historical background, the basic facts of the incident.

3. 4:24-27 Paul's allegory presented; the data with emphasis on the meaning of the mothers.

4. 4:28-31 Application to the circumstances in the Galatian churches.

4:21 The Challenge

Basic theme: if you want divine approval, a right standing before God?

#1 is it the law - works - merit principle?

#2 or is it the grace - faith - promise method?

In vs:21 Paul is addressing those who are moving in the direction of the Judaizers.

Tell me, you who want to be under u`po. law, do you not listen to the law?

Paul is saying here that I am going to prove to you that the first way, the law - works - merit way will never gain you a standing before God and I'm going to do it from the same source documents that the Judaizers are using and abusing.

4:22-23 Historical background, the basic facts of the incident.

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman.

For it is written lit. for it stands written;

Overview of the events:

Promise of Child of Miracle Child Weaning of Isaac

A seed flesh scheme of Promise Casting out Ishmael

Gen 12:1-3 Gen 16 Gen 17; 18, 21 Gen 21:8-14

Abe 75 86 100 103

Facts of history;

that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman.

Summary

1. In view here is operation Hagar verses the promise through Sarah.

2. From operation Hagar came Ishmael Gen 16; then Isaac in Gen 21.

3. Because of the Jewish pride in their physical lineage from Abraham, Paul's use of this illustration of the 2 sons of Abe to point out their error becomes more important.

4. In operation Hagar Abe was attempting to gain blessing in time apart from the will of God, it was an attempt in his impatience to help God out.

5. His challenge to the Galatians and to us in the Church age is which of these two sons are you emulating, the freeborn son or the son of the slave.

6. So the first major contrast made is of the mothers of the 2 sons of Abe with one being a slave and the other free.