Reading for December 29th

 Read Galatians 4.1-11. In 4.1-11: No longer slaves, but children. In verse 1. Heirs: Comparing life under the law to being a minor continues the illustration introduced in 3.15. Slaves introduces a second image, which developed in ch. 4-5. In verse 3: Elemental spirits of the world (Gk., "ta stoicheia tou kosmour") is difficult. Rudiments captures the sense of "stoicheion" as something fundamental-elements or principles. These may perhaps be elementary forms of religion that were superseded by Christ, or the four elements (fire, air, water, earth) understood as heavenly forces. See 4.9. In verse 4: The language sounds confessional (Rom 8.3). here Paul succinctly states what the gospel birth stories present more fully, especially Luke (Lk 1-2; Mt 1-2). Emphasized are Jesus' humanity and Jewishness. In verse 5: Redeem, literally "buy back," suggests buying the freedom of young slaves in order to adopt them as children. In verse 6; The reality of 3.26 is proposed. "Abba Father!" expresses Christ's obedient spirit (Mk 14.36; Rom 8.15). In verse 7: Being able to address God the way Jesus did signals the change in status from slave to child. In verse 8: This is typical language for living as gentiles (1 Thess 4.5). In verse 9; The difference between "knowing God" and :being known by God" is an important distinction for Paul. One borders on arrogance, the other sees knowledge as God's domain (1 Cor 13.12). Weak and beggarly elemental spirit: Jews criticizes pagans for blindly submitting to forces with no real power. In verse 10: Given the Galatian's attraction to the law, these are doubtless Jewish observances (5.4; Col 2.16). In verse 11; This reference to his founding visit triggers the following discussion. Comments or Questions..