Galatians 4: Why Would You Become Slaves Again?
Galatians 4: Why Would You Become Slaves Again?
Galatians 4
5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.
1. From Slaves to Sons: A Revolution of Identity
After explaining the relationship between law and gospel, Paul proclaims the existential transformation this gospel brings. It is a complete elevation of status from slave to son—or rather, a revolution of identity. A slave may work in the master's house their entire life, yet has no right to inheritance. But a son inherits all that belongs to the father and calls him "Abba, Father" in intimacy and trust. Paul testifies that the Holy Spirit has come into us and made this very thing possible. In other words, believing in Christ is an event in which our relationship with God itself is fundamentally transformed. While the law gave us a list of things to do, the gospel has gifted us with a new being, a new identity as sons. Therefore, we are no longer slaves keeping the provisions of the law with a debtor's mentality, but sons freely loving the Father with the privilege of heirs who may enjoy all things.
2. The Trap of Religious Zeal
But why would the Galatian believers abandon this glorious status as sons and return to the position of slaves? Paul laments, "How is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?" (v. 9). Here we discover something crucial: they weren't maliciously trying to abandon the gospel. Rather, they sought to receive circumcision and keep the regulations of the law in order to believe better, to become more devout believers. Invisible grace feels uncertain, while tangible works seem secure. This is precisely the trap of religious zeal and the limitation of humanity. Good motives to become more holy can lead one to shackle oneself with the law, throwing away the freedom Christ gave and taking up the yoke of slavery again. To Paul, this was not supplementing faith with merit, but a regression—kicking away from the son's dining table to return to the slave's kitchen, a fatal apostasy that completely nullifies the gospel.
3. "Become Like Me": An Invitation into Weakness
Paul now moves beyond logic to plead through his own life: "I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you" (v. 12). This isn't simply about imitating Paul's character. It's an invitation to participate in his own existential transformation—from a warrior of the law (Saul) who had staked everything on it, to a disciple (Paul) following Jesus crucified. Paul was someone who had experienced firsthand how destructive misdirected zeal could be. He knew better than anyone his own past of persecuting God's Son with absolute conviction that he was serving God. Furthermore, he reminds them of their first encounter. They received the gospel not through a strong, healthy hero, but through Paul weakened by physical illness (v. 13). They met God's power in the weakness of the cross proclaimed through Paul at his weakest. This was the starting point of their faith. Paul is appealing: "Don't try to be sons through the strength of a slave. Be the master's sons, though it looks weak. Just as I abandoned my strength (the law) and became like you, you too should abandon your strength (legalistic zeal) and become like me, enjoying true freedom in the weak cross." This is a tearful invitation to return to God's paradoxical grace that is perfected in weakness.