1-2 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles (or spirits) of the world. 4-5 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6-7 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

8-10 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have laboured over you in vain. Galatians 4:1-11 English Standard Version

The apostle was dealing with the problem of people who had called on the name of Jesus Christ for salvation, but were being misled by others who were insisting they could only be made right with God if they submitted themselves to the rules and rituals of the Law that God had given to Israel through Moses. But in vs 20 of Chapter 3 Paul had explained that the Law came long after God's promise to Abraham of future offspring, and was added because of sins, until the offspring should come to whom the promise was made. He said the Law was like a guardian of a child who was to inherit what was promised. And Chapter 3 ended by saying: “If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.”

But what does Paul say in vs 1-2 today about a young heir in a wealthy household?

In their youth, when they still lacked full understanding, they are treated much like a slave in that household. They are under guardians and have to follow instructions and orders. What’s the application Paul then makes in vs 3?

There was a time when Paul and the Galatian people were much like slaves. Paul identifies himself with them, although the phrase ‘elementary principles (or spirits) of the world’ is probably a reference to the days when they served idols, and religions made up of many ceremonies and obligations. They were slaves to those rules. Verses 4-5 then give the glorious truth of what the gospel is all about, and what it leads to. It's the message of God sending His Son to be fully man, and to live in our fallen world. And the Son would pay the price needed to redeem us from our sins so that we could be adopted by God. The result of that was that God gives the Holy Spirit to live within all those He has adopted. They are no longer slaves, but sons and daughters.

So what was it that was causing Paul such sorrow and concern? (vs 8-10)

It was the fact that they were turning away from this relationship with God that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, and going back to a religion of observing days and months and seasons and years. They were trying to earn righteousness through religiousness. It's like people today who make a big deal over the ceremonies associated with Christmas and Easter, and who insist that Christians must keep all sorts of Church customs if they hope to get to heaven. How did this sort of attitude affect Paul? (vs 11)

He expresses what has probably been the fear and lament of many faithful pastors over the years. He was concerned that his hard work was going to amount to nothing. He was concerned that their eyes would be taken off the Lord Jesus Christ, and they would focus their attention on men who were only trying to bring them into bondage again with a religion made up of ceremonies and rules, robes and rituals. How is it with our life today? Have pastors laboured over us in vain – or are we growing stronger in our faith in Jesus, knowing that He alone is the one who gives us a righteousness that is pleasing to God? Are we slaves to a denomination – or are we an heir through believing God's promise concerning His beloved Son?