But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Gal 4:4-5 KJV).
The Jews were under the bondage of Mosaic Law. The Law revealed their sin, bringing its condemnation. God required the blood of an innocent victim to cover sin temporarily, but the sacrifice had to be repeated. Our sin also condemns us (Rom 3:23; 5:19-21; 6:23).
The Law revealed their sin, but also pointed forward to when the Redeemer would come from heaven to fulfill the Law and completely remove the debt of sin forever (Heb 9:22; 10:12; Gal 3:24). Let’s examine our text.
“But when the fulness of the time was come” – The appointed time had come. The 24-hour day is human time, but the appointed time is God’s perfect time. With God, there are only events, which happen exactly according to His perfect plan. The event of Jesus’ coming to earth as the Savior of the world is the central theme of God’s plan for mankind.
“God sent forth his Son” – Christ is God’s only Son, sent with a purpose (Heb 10:5). Why would God send His only Son to a world that would reject Him? The body prepared for the Lord enabled Him to endure suffering, humility and shame.
“Made [or born] of a woman” – Christ took on humanity forever, yet did not relinquish His deity (Php 2:7-11; Col 2:9; Joh 1:14). Christ came through a supernatural conception, but a natural birth. The miracle was the conception, which was unlike any other. But His birth was exactly like every other person’s. He never ceased to be God, but He became fully man forever.
“Made [or born] under the law” – Before Moses descended from Mt. Sinai, the people of Israel had already broken the first two commandments. Every human being is born a sinner, and every one of us is a transgressor of the Law; we are condemned to death. Jesus was born under the Law, but He was the only human who did not, and could never, sin, thus perfectly fulfilling the Law (Mat 5:17).
“To redeem them” – God created man, but man in his sinful nature rebelled against God. Man needed to be bought back (redeemed) from the slave market of sin (Gal 3:13) by the only One uniquely qualified, as fully God and perfect Man, to give His life for ours (Rom 5:12-19). He cried out, “Finished!” (Greek tetelestai) on the cross. The debt of sin was fully paid. God, completely satisfied with the atoning work of His Son, raised Jesus from the dead on the third day.
“That we might receive the adoption of sons” – God desires us to be His children (Eph 1:5). Through the cross, Christ enabled us to be brought into the position of sonship (Rom 8:14-19).
Paul’s fervent desire was for the Galatians to know that justification was by faith alone through grace, not the Law. God’s salvation is a free gift, purchased by Christ at Calvary; we can add nothing to it. Accept the Lord Jesus as your Savior, and you too will forever be a child of the living and eternal God.
