1. Galatians 4:3. When were we “children”?

He is using an example here. Though a child might be the heir of all things in the household, he might as well be a slave until the appointed day has come for him to inherit. On that day, everything changes.

Our “childhood”, in this example, was when we were bound to the Law. We were trying our best to serve that Law, but were nothing better than slaves. We actually were slaves. This was the time before Christ entered our lives and began to set us free.

Now we are no longer slaves, but actually sons, and heirs of God. Paul argues with them that they must not go back to their slavery days by observing all the minutiae of the Law in hopes of being saved by it.

2. Galatians 4:6. How do we cry “Abba”?

The Spirit of God comes into our hearts and wells up within us, so that the cry that comes out our mouth is really His own cry. “Abba”, “Father”. How else would we know we are sons of God if the Spirit of God did not so indicate?

3. Galatians 4:12. “You did me no wrong.” Why does Paul say this?

I think he is saying, “I am not angry with you.” The Galatians had blessed him in every way. They had not done anything wrong to him personally. But they seemed to be turning away from his message, and he wants to know why. He must ask serious questions here, but always letting them know that they are not to take it personally, as though he were being vindictive about some of their behavior towards him.

4. Galatians 4:13-14. More clues here about Paul’s “thorn”?

• Something was going on in his body.
• Somehow the condition was trying to them.
• They could have despised him or loathed him, but did not.

I understand that he mentions their willingness to give him their very eyes if necessary, and that some have gone on to conclude that he simply had a vision problem. But a vision problem alone does not explain the serious language of “loathing” and “trial” and Satanic attack and humiliation. Not to me anyway. What do you think?

5. Galatians 5:12. Mutilate? What is Paul saying?

Most translations agree that he said the un-sayable. He was not a politician for sure. He wanted their attention, and in these words, he got it.

The false teachers were talking about the necessity of circumcision. Circumcision? says Paul. These men should not stop at circumcision. If they want to be truly holy, let them go all the way with this and castrate themselves!