Verse of the Day
Friday, December 12, 2025
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.
Introduction
Galatians 4:4–5 stands at the heart of Paul’s argument about Christian identity and the freedom believers possess in Christ. These verses illuminate the climax of God’s redemptive plan—timely, intentional, and transformative. In a letter addressing confusion around the Mosaic Law and Christian freedom, Paul uses this passage to explain how God’s intervention through the sending of the Son changes everything. It marks a transition from spiritual slavery to full familial belonging in the household of God.
Commentary
Paul’s phrasing in this passage is densely packed with theological meaning:
“When the fullness of time had come”
This expresses divine intentionality. God’s saving action is neither random nor reactive; it unfolds at the precise moment in history that aligns with God’s sovereign plan. The phrase evokes prophetic fulfillment and the culmination of long-anticipated hope.
“God sent his Son”
Here, Paul affirms both the preexistence and divine mission of Jesus. The language of “sending” echoes themes elsewhere in Scripture that emphasize the Son’s origin in God and participation in God’s redemptive purpose.
“Born of a woman”
This grounds the incarnation in genuine humanity. The Savior enters human experience fully—not as an apparition, nor as a semi-divine figure, but born into the vulnerability and limitations of human life. It subtly resonates with the language of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative of God working through human lineage.
“Born under the law”
Jesus becomes part of Israel’s covenantal world, subject to the Mosaic Law and its obligations. By entering this context, He fulfills the Law in perfect obedience—something humanity could not achieve. This prepares the way for the next part of Paul’s logic.
“In order to redeem those who were under the law”
Redemption implies liberation, a concept tied to the freeing of slaves or captives. Jesus steps into the human condition not merely to model obedience but to secure release from the Law’s power to condemn. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He purchases freedom for those bound by the Law’s demands.
“So that we might receive adoption as children”
The goal of redemption is not merely forgiveness but family. Paul elevates believers from the status of slaves to full sons and daughters with inheritance rights. Adoption is not a metaphor for second-class belonging—it is complete inclusion, granting the same privileges as natural-born heirs.
Taken together, Paul constructs a sweeping vision: God initiates salvation, Christ accomplishes redemption, and believers receive a new identity rooted in grace rather than legal performance.
Understanding the Context
Galatians is written to a community struggling with competing teachings about the role of the Law. Some teachers (often called Judaizers) insisted that Gentile Christians must observe certain aspects of the Mosaic Law—particularly circumcision—to be fully included among God’s people. Paul fiercely opposes this, arguing that returning to the Law as a means of righteousness is a regression into spiritual slavery.
In chapters 3 and 4, Paul uses the imagery of a child under guardianship to explain Israel’s life under the Law. The Law served as a temporary custodian until Christ came. With Christ's arrival, the era of maturity has dawned. Galatians 4:4–5 serves as Paul’s theological pivot point: it is because of Christ’s incarnation and redemptive work that believers now have full status as God’s children and heirs.
This passage, therefore, is not abstract theology. It is Paul’s way of showing the Galatians why they must resist returning to the Law as a system of justification. Their identity is rooted not in the Law but in the Son—and through Him, they are children of God.
Application for Today
For contemporary Christians, this passage speaks directly to themes of identity, assurance, and spiritual freedom.
1. Divine Timing and Trust
“The fullness of time” reminds believers that God’s actions are never premature or delayed. In seasons of uncertainty, this truth cultivates patience and trust that God’s purposes unfold with intention.
2. Freedom from Legalism and Performance
Just as the Galatians were tempted to rely on religious performance for acceptance, many today wrestle with similar impulses—believing that God’s approval depends on personal achievement or flawless obedience. Paul’s message counters these tendencies: freedom in Christ means living from grace, not striving to earn what has already been given.
3. The Gift of Adoption Shapes Identity
Adoption means belonging, security, and inheritance. In a world where identity is often fragile and contested, Christians are reminded that their truest identity is rooted in God’s love and initiative. This reshapes relationships, self-understanding, and resilience.
4. Mature Discipleship
If believers have been adopted as God’s children, then spiritual maturity involves living in the confidence and responsibility of that new status. It calls for growth that reflects gratitude, love, and a willingness to participate in God’s mission.
Reflection
Galatians 4:4–5 invites deeper consideration of the vast, coordinated movement of divine grace. It portrays a God who acts purposefully in history, who enters human limitations through the Son, and who transforms slaves into beloved children. This passage challenges believers to contemplate their identity not as distant subjects but as cherished heirs, welcomed into the divine family through Christ’s redemptive work. Such a truth reshapes how one understands belonging, purpose, and the nature of God’s initiative—a reminder that the Christian life is rooted first in what God has done, not in what we achieve.
