Galatians 4:2

4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

KJV

but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.

But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: elements: or, rudiments

What does Galatians 4:2 mean?

Galatians 4:2 is a verse in the book of Galatians, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include ἀλλά (alla), εἰμί (esti), ὑπό (hupo). It connects to 4 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

Butἀλλάalla/al-lah'/G235neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.

isεἰμίesti/es-tee'/G2076third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.

underὑπόhupo/hoop-o'/G5259a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.

tutorsἐπίτροποςepitropos/ep-it'-rop-os/G2012from 1909 and 5158 (in the sense of 2011); a commissioner, i.e. domestic manager, guardian:--steward, tutor.

andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

governorsοἰκονόμοςoikonomos/oy-kon-om'-os/G3623from 3624 and the base of 3551; a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preacher (of the Gospel):--chamberlain, governor, steward.

untilἄχρι ἄχριςachriG891or achris akh'-rece; akin to 206 (through the idea of a terminus); (of time) until or (of place) up to:--as far as, for, in(-to), till, (even, un-)to, until, while. Compare 3360.

the

time

appointedπροθεσμίαprothesmios/proth-es'-mee-os/G4287from 4253 and a derivative of 5087; fixed beforehand, i.e. (feminine with 2250 implied) a designated day:--time appointed.

the

father.πατήρpater/pat-ayr'/G3962apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent.

Commentary on Galatians 4:2

HENRY_FULL · Galatians 4:2

In this chapter the apostle threatens to be severe against obstinate sinners, and assigns the reason thereof ( ver. 1-6 ); then he makes a suitable prayer to God on the behalf of the Corinthians, with the reasons inducing him thereto ( ver. 7-10 ), and concludes his epistle with a valediction and a benediction, ver. 11-14 .

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Corinthians 4:19

But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

1 Corinthians 5:5

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Galatians 1:23

But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

Galatians 4:10

Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

Topics

Children Heir Instruction Tutor

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Galatians 4:2.

Luke 10:22

All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. many ancient copies add these words at the beginning of verse, and turning to his Disciples, he said

Matthew 12:50

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Matthew 13:52

Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Matthew 14:2

And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. do: or, are wrought by him

Matthew 14:26

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

Matthew 6:25

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Matthew 7:12

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Matthew 8:9

For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

Frequently asked questions

What does Galatians 4:2 say?

Galatians 4:2 (King James Version) reads: "But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father."

Is Galatians 4:2 in the Old or New Testament?

Galatians 4:2 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Galatians.

Reflect

As you read Galatians 4:2, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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