“But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” (Galatians 4:4-5 NLT)
At just the right moment, the Lord clothed Himself in self, lived a sinless life, died upon a cross, and conquered death with His resurrection. Paul wants the Galatian believers – in churches which he had helped to establish – to understand the importance of Christ’s incarnation. Paul addresses a problem caused by a number of Jewish believers. Apparently, some of the Jewish Christians did not understand the full significance of Christ’s death and resurrection. They wanted to impose, on the new gentile (non-Jewish) converts, the Mosaic law and circumcision as essential for salvation. Paul explains that the sonship of God – adoption as His own children – is not from obedience to the law, from which curse Christ has redeemed (Galatians 3:13), but through faith.
In verse five, Paul uses vivid language to confront the Law-enforcing Jews who were pressuring new converts. Concerning the gentile’s position in Christ, Paul says that all believers, including gentile converts, are redeemed from the law through Christ and can receive adoption into God’s family.
Vine’s Expository Dictionary notes the Greek word for adoption huiothesia, is a combination of the Greek roots huios, “a son,” and thesis, “a placing.” Vine’s says this “signifies the place and condition of a son given to one to whom it does not naturally belong.”
Believers through their faith and the adoption of God are no longer under the bondage of the law. This has special meaning to me – by my own works I am unworthy (this is true for all individuals!), but I have been taken and placed as a son of God. Religious traditions no longer have domination over my salvation. I am free to enjoy my sonship and not to be hampered by tradition. I have been adopted by God and I am now worthy, as a son, to receive His blessings!
