Can you explain Galatians 3 and 4?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

In Galatians 3 and 4, St. Paul the Apostle addresses the central conflict facing the early Church: the attempt by "Judaizers" (heretics who insisted that Gentile converts must follow the Mosaic Law, including circumcision, to be saved) to undermine the Gospel of Grace.

From the Coptic Orthodox perspective, these chapters are foundational for understanding our identity in Jesus Christ as children of God, rather than slaves to the Old Covenant.

Galatians Chapter 3: Faith vs. the Law

St. Paul begins by rebuking the Galatians, calling them "foolish" for returning to the Law after having received the the Holy Spirit through faith.

1. The Example of Abraham: St. Paul points out that Abraham was justified by faith before the Law was ever given. The promise made to Abraham was based on his belief in God. Therefore, those who are of faith are the true sons of Abraham.
2. The Curse of the Law: The Law brings a curse because no one can fulfill it perfectly. St. Paul explains that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us on the Cross.
3. The Purpose of the Law (The Tutor): St. Paul describes the Law as a "pedagogue" or "tutor" (schoolmaster). In the ancient world, a tutor was a servant who supervised a child until they reached maturity. The Law was temporary, intended to guard the people and point out their need for a Savior until Christ came.
4. Oneness in Christ: This chapter concludes with the powerful declaration of unity: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). Through Baptism, we have "put on Christ."

Galatians Chapter 4: Sonship and Allegory

In Chapter 4, St. Paul shifts from the legal argument to a relational one, contrasting the status of a slave with that of a son.

1. Adoption as Sons: Before Christ, humanity was like an underage heir—no different from a slave because they were under the "elements of the world." But when the fullness of time came, God sent His Son to redeem those under the Law, so that we might receive "adoption as sons." Because we are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, (Abba, Father).
2. St. Paul’s Pastoral Concern: He expresses deep fear for the Galatians because they are returning to "weak and beggarly elements" by observing Jewish feast days and legalistic rituals. He pleads with them to remain steadfast in the freedom he preached to them.
3. The Allegory of Hagar and Sarah: St. Paul uses the two wives of Abraham to illustrate two covenants:

• Hagar (the slave woman): Represents Mount Sinai and the earthly Jerusalem. Her children (those under the Law) are born into bondage.
• Sarah (the free woman): Represents the "Jerusalem above," which is our mother (the Church). Her children are born through the promise and are free.

St. Paul concludes that just as Ishmael (born of the flesh) persecuted Isaac (born of the Spirit), the legalistic Jews and heretics of his day were persecuting the true believers. He commands the Church to "cast out the bondwoman and her son," meaning the Church must reject the legalism of the Old Law to embrace the grace of the New Covenant.

Theological Summary

For us as Coptic Orthodox Christians, these chapters affirm that our salvation is not found in the "dead works" of the Old Testament Law, which the Jews still cling to, nor in the modern innovations of Protestants who often misunderstand the relationship between faith and the Sacraments. Instead, we are justified through a living faith in the Lord, which is perfected in the life of the Church and the mysteries of the Holy Spirit. We are no longer slaves to the Law, but heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven.