A commentary of M. I. Calvin upon the Epistle to the GalatiansA commentarie of M. I. Caluine vpon the Epistle to the Galathians

¶ The fourth Chapter. 1 And I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, whereas nevertheless he is Lord of all. 2 But he is under Tutors and governors, until the time determined of the Father. 3 So also we when we were Children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time came, God sent his son, made of a woman, brought under the Law. 5 That he might redeem them which came under the law, that we might receive the adoption.

¶ The fourth Chapter. 1 And I say, as long as the heire is a child, he differeth nothing from a seruaunt, whereas neuerthelesse hee is Lord of all. 2 But he is vnder Tutors and gouernors, vntill the tyme determined of the Father. 3 So also we when we were Children, were in bondage vnder the elements of the world. 4 But when the fulnesse of time came, God sent his sonne, made of a woman, brought vnder the Law. 5 That he might redeeme them whiche came vnder the law, that we might receiue the adoption.

AND I say.) Whosoever he was that divided the Chapters, did ill pull away this sentence from them which went before, whereas it is nothing else but a finishing of that went before, whereby Paul doth declare and set forth the difference which is between us and the old people. And that he doth, whilst he bringeth the third similitude of the Orphan and the guardian. The Orphan although he be free, yea and also the Lord of his Fathers household, yet is he like to a servant: because he is ruled by the government of tutors. And the subjection to his tutor endureth till the time ⟨p. 85⟩appointed of his father, and after that he enjoyeth his liberty. After this sort the Fathers under the old testament, when as they were the sons of God, were free: but were not in possession of freedom or liberty, because the law was unto them as it were a tutor, which held them under the yoke. And this bondage lasted as long as it seemed good unto God, who made an end thereof by the coming of Christ. whereas Paul doeth make end the Tutorship at the only appointment of the Father, when as the Lawyers do reckon up more ways whereby the tutorship is ended: he doth it therefore because this way alone did agree with his similitude. Now let us discourse every part. Some do apply this similitude otherwise: namely unto every man: whereas Paul speaketh of two peoples. I grant, it is true that which they say, but it longeth nothing unto the present place. The elect, say they, although they be the sons of God ever from their mothers womb, yet they abide under the law like unto servants, until through faith they come into the possession of liberty: but after that they know Christ, they made no more this kind of Tutorship. But let me grant this, yet deny I that Paul in this place speaketh of every singular person: and I deny that it putteth difference between the time of infidelity & of the calling unto faith, but hereof he entreateth, whereas there is but one church of God, how happeneth it that the state of us and the Israelites should be unlike and contrary? whereas by faith we be free, how happeneth it that they who had with us the same and like faith, shall not with us be enjoyers of the same and like liberty? whereas a like we are all the sons of God, how happeneth it that we are free at this day from the yoke which they were compelled to bear?