“And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and HEIRS according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29)1
Think about this: an heir inherits right now. Contrast this with the “heir-apparent.” For example, Prince Charles is an heir apparent. One day he will be the heir to the throne, but not until his mother dies. In fact, Prince Charles has been the heir apparent longer than any other heir in British history, having assumed that position when his mother inherited the throne in 1952.2 That’s a long time to be a prince-in-waiting. However, OUR King of kings has died and risen again, making us heirs with Him right now!
In Galatians 4, Paul uses the symbolism of being a child, unable to inherit, verses being a mature son, ready to inherit. Here are a couple of words that he uses:
A full mature son is the Greek word “huios”.3
A baby, an infant, a minor is “nepios.”4
“Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child [nepios], does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.” (Galatians 4:1-2)
A child (nepios) is someone who is immature, both intellectually and morally. He’s not old enough to govern his own actions. The “guardians” were the overseers of the child’s person, and the “stewards” were the overseers of the child’s property.5 In other words, even though a child might be the richest little kid in the country, because of his age, he’s no more privileged than the slaves. He can’t enjoy his position, can’t drive his dad’s car, write a check, or even make a decision for himself. However, when the father dies and he leaves his inheritance, he’ll leave it to his son even if an employee is more deserving.
This passage is talking about the children of Israel when they were under law in the Old Testament, and they were “nepios” (infants, not ready to inherit) until the time appointed by our heavenly Father when Jesus would come to bring all of us into sonship, “huios” (full, mature sons, ready to inherit NOW).
“Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.” (Galatians 4:3)
When Paul said “we,” he was referring to himself and the Jewish people when they were under the law. The word “elements” is referring to the law. It’s the Greek word, “stoicheion,” which refers to the first principles of something.6 It’s used to refer to things in a series, such as the alphabet. In other words, the law was the “ABC’s.” When they came out of Egypt and made it to the foot of Mount Sinai, God gave them the Ten Commandments because they were babies. At the appointed time, Jesus would come to bring grace so that they could graduate. The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.7
The law is for “infants,” not for sons who are ready to inherit. The law is for “toddlers” who can’t make a decision on their own. The law is for “kindergarteners” who are learning the alphabet but can’t put two letters together to make a word yet. Can you see what Paul is saying? If we lived in the confinement to external oversight of the law, we’ll never walk in our inheritance as sons in grace. Law is for babies. Grace is for sons.
(from pages 271-272 of Unveiling Jesus)
Want more from Tricia Gunn? Check out excerpts from the Unveiling Jesus 20-part series!
Unveiling Jesus, by Tricia Gunn, is a verse by verse study of the pure gospel of grace. It’s an amazing journey of love, identity, and freedom in Christ.
Shop Unveiling Jesus Products
Unveiling Jesus Book
Unveiling Jesus 20-Part Series
Original Unveiling Jesus, 10-part series
1All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
2Daniel Johnson, “Prince Charles, the Longest Living Heir Apparent,” The Telegraph, 11-11-13, website: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/10436858/Graphic-Prince-Charles-the-longest-serving-heir-apparent.html, accessed 6-9-14
3G5207 (huios), Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, website: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G5207&t=KJV, accessed on 6-9-14
4G3516 (nēpios), Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, website: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G3516&t=KJV, accessed on 6-9-14
5Kenneth S. Wuest, Galatians, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1944, p. 113
6G4747 (stoicheion), Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, website: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G4747&t=KJV, accessed, 6-9-14
7John 1:17, NKJV”
