“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” Galatians 4:4-5
“Set time had fully come” pictures a container steadily being filled with the passage of time until full. Corresponds to “date set by his father” earlier in verse 2. Thus, at a specific and appropriate time in human history, God acted to fulfill His eternal purpose.
“Born of woman” indicates the preexistent Son of God became fully human. Hence, Jesus was the ultimate “Seed” of the woman referenced in Genesis 3:15. The Apostle Paul, the author of Galatians, nowhere mentions Mary by name; Jesus was the total focus of his theology and devotion.
“Under the law” means Jesus was born a Jew and under obligation to keep the Law of Moses. Consistent with Paul’s imagery, Jesus entered our prison … the world.
Redeem, meaning “to buy from the slave market,” is a term used only by Paul in the New Testament. The verb describes Christ’s final payment for the sins of humanity. This payment, His death on the Cross, frees those who believe in Him from the curse of the law and slavery to sin. This payment and resulting freedom clears the way for Christians to become God’s children. Although there is only one natural Son in God’s family, Jesus Christ , God has graciously adopted all believers as His children. We are no longer slaves to sin, nor people under the guardianship of the law.
“Those under the law” is plural so both Jews and Gentiles are redeemed. Jesus came to reconcile everyone back to God through faith and trust in Him.
God’s blessings on your day…