Reading for January 19th

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 minor-continues the illustration introduced in 3.15.
Slaves introduces a second image, which is developed in chs. 4-5.
Elemental spirit of the world (Gk., "ta stoicheia tou kosmou") 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These may perhaps be elementary forms of religion that were superseded by Christ, or the four elements (fire, air, water, earth) understood as heavenly  forces.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 (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 presupposed.
"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 a typical language for living as gentiles (1 Thess 4.5).
In verse 9: The difference between "knowing of 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 spirits: Jews criticized pagans for blindly submitting to forces with no real power.
In verse 10: Given the Galatians 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..