Bible Commentaries

Though he be lord of all; though he is to inherit all.

The elements of the world. The Jewish institutions are obviously intended by this expression; but why they are, so designated is not very clear.

The fulness of the time; the full time predicted.--Made under the law; born a. Jew, and consequently under the Mosaic institutions.

To redeem them, &c.; thus showing that they owe their redemption not to their Judaism, but to their Christianity.

The apostle here appears to address the Gentile portion of the Galatian churches.--Ye did service unto, ye were in bondage unto.

Ye observe; that is, religiously; depending upon such observances for acceptance with God.

This passage is evidently elliptical, and is considered obscure.

Through infirmity of the flesh; that is, suffering under infirmity of the flesh. (Comp. 2 Corinthians 12:7.)

As Christ Jesus; as clothed with his authority.

They; the false teachers.--Zealously affect you; pretend to be ardently interested in your welfare.--Exclude you; separate you; that is, from me.

Always in a good thing; that is, to adhere firmly and steadily to what is right.--Not only, &c.; referring to what he had said in Galatians 4:15.

Of whom I travail in birth; for whom I feel the deepest solicitude and anxiety.

To change my voice; that is, to administer admonition and reproof to them, which it had not been necessary to do when he was with them before.

A bond-maid; Hagar.

An allegory; that is, may be regarded as such.--These are the two covenants; may be considered as representing the two covenants.

Is Mount Sinai; that is, represents Mount Sinai in this illustration.

Jerusalem which is above; the spiritual Jerusalem; that is, the body of believers under the gospel.

It is written; Isaiah 54:1.

He that was born after the flesh; Ishmael, the son of Hagar.--Him that was born after the Spirit; Isaac.

Cast out, &c The rejection of Hagar thus represents the rejection of the bondage and servitude entailed by the Jewish law.