Galatians 4:4

KJV

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} when {G3753} the fulness {G4138} of the time {G5550} was come {G2064}, God {G2316} sent forth {G1821} his {G846} Son {G5207}, made {G1096} of {G1537} a woman {G1135}, made {G1096} under {G5259} the law {G3551},

Complete Jewish Bible

but when the appointed time arrived, God sent forth his Son. He was born from a woman, born into a culture in which legalistic perversion of the Torah was the norm,

Berean Standard Bible

But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

American Standard Version

but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 4:4 stands as a profound declaration of God's perfect timing and sovereign plan for humanity's redemption. It encapsulates the pivotal moment in salvation history when the eternal Son of God, at the appointed "fullness of time," willingly entered human existence, born of a woman and placed under the very Law He came to fulfill and ultimately transcend, thereby securing the liberation and adoption of all who believe.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a theological linchpin within Paul's impassioned defense of justification by faith, not by works of the Law, in his letter to the Galatians. Chapters 3 and 4 form a cohesive argument, with Paul first establishing the priority of the Abrahamic covenant of promise over the Mosaic Law ([Galatians 3:6-9](/galatians/3-6-9 "Galatians 3:6-9 - Abraham's Faith and Righteousness")). He then introduces the concept of the Law as a "schoolmaster" or "guardian" ([Galatians 3:24-25](/galatians/3-24-25 "Galatians 3:24-25 - The Law as a Schoolmaster")) that led humanity to Christ. Immediately preceding [Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - The Fullness of Time"), Paul employs an analogy of a child heir who, though legally the master of all, remains under the authority of guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father ([Galatians 4:1-3](/galatians/4-1-3 "Galatians 4:1-3 - The Heir Under Guardianship")). [Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - The Fullness of Time") then declares that Christ's advent marked the end of this period of minority and tutelage under the Law, ushering in the era of spiritual maturity and sonship for believers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience in Galatia was grappling with the influence of "Judaizers," false teachers who insisted that Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law to be truly saved. This teaching directly contradicted the Gospel of grace. The cultural backdrop included both Jewish legalism and Greco-Roman concepts of guardianship. In Roman law, a minor heir (even if wealthy) was subject to tutors and administrators until reaching legal majority, typically around age 14 or 25, at which point they received their full inheritance and freedom. Paul leverages this familiar legal concept to illustrate the spiritual state of humanity under the Law—a period of immaturity and bondage—before the coming of Christ. The "fullness of time" also alludes to the providential confluence of historical, political, and philosophical conditions (e.g., Pax Romana, widespread Greek language, Roman road systems, Jewish diaspora synagogues) that prepared the world for the spread of the Gospel.
* **Key Themes:** [Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - The Fullness of Time") contributes significantly to several major themes in Galatians and broader Pauline theology. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Perfect Timing**, emphasizing that Christ's coming was not random but a meticulously orchestrated event in God's redemptive plan, occurring precisely when humanity was ready for salvation ([Ephesians 1:10](/ephesians/1-10 "Ephesians 1:10 - The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times")). Secondly, it powerfully affirms the **Incarnation and Dual Nature of Christ**, highlighting His pre-existence as the Son of God ("God sent forth his Son") and His true humanity ("made of a woman"), essential for His role as mediator and redeemer ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Thirdly, the phrase "made under the law" points to **Christ's Redemptive Obedience and Fulfillment of the Law**. By voluntarily subjecting Himself to the Law, Christ perfectly fulfilled its righteous demands and bore its curse on behalf of humanity, thereby liberating believers from its bondage and condemnation ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). This act paves the way for the theme of **Sonship and Adoption**, where believers, no longer slaves under the Law, are now adopted as children of God through faith in Christ ([Galatians 4:5-7](/galatians/4-5-7 "Galatians 4:5-7 - Adoption as Sons")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fulness (Greek, _plḗrōma'_):** (G4138) From πληρόω (plēróō), meaning "to fill." This term signifies repletion or completion, referring to what fills (contents, copiousness) or what is filled (container, performance, period). In this context, "the fulness of the time" indicates a divinely determined, complete, or "ripe" moment in God's redemptive timeline, not merely a passage of chronological time. It speaks to the culmination of all preparatory stages and prophecies, marking the perfect moment for God's ultimate intervention.
* **sent forth (Greek, _exapostéllō'_):):** (G1821) From ἐκ (ek, "out from") and ἀποστέλλω (apostéllō, "to send"). This verb means "to send away forth," implying a deliberate, authoritative mission or dispatch. It emphasizes God the Father's purposeful and sovereign initiative in sending His Son from heaven into the world, underscoring the Son's pre-existence and divine origin.
* **made (Greek, _gínomai'_):** (G1096) A versatile verb meaning "to cause to be" or "to become" (come into being). In the context of "made of a woman" and "made under the law," it signifies Christ's real and genuine entry into human existence through birth and His voluntary, actual placement under the Mosaic Law. It denotes a true, historical becoming, rather than a mere appearance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when the fulness of the time was come,"**: This opening clause highlights God's perfect, sovereign timing in salvation history. The "fulness of the time" refers to the divinely appointed, mature, and complete moment when all conditions—prophetic, historical, and spiritual—were ripe for the Messiah's advent. It signifies that Christ's birth was not an arbitrary event but the culmination of God's eternal plan, meticulously orchestrated and brought to fruition.
* **"God sent forth his Son,"**: This declares the divine initiative and the pre-existence of Jesus Christ. It affirms that Jesus is not merely a human prophet or a created being, but the eternal "Son" of God, dispatched by the Father from heaven. The verb "sent forth" (exapostéllō) conveys a deliberate, authoritative mission, emphasizing the Father's active role in the Incarnation and the Son's willing obedience to that mission.
* **"made of a woman,"**: This phrase unequivocally asserts the true and complete humanity of Jesus. He was genuinely born of a human mother (Mary), emphasizing His physical and biological connection to humanity. This reality of His human birth is crucial for His role as the representative and substitute for mankind, enabling Him to identify fully with human experience, including its weaknesses, though without sin.
* **"made under the law,"**: This final clause reveals Christ's voluntary submission to the Mosaic Law. Though divine and sinless, Jesus placed Himself under the legal and moral obligations of the Law given to Israel. This was essential for Him to perfectly fulfill all its requirements, to live a life of complete obedience, and ultimately to become the perfect, unblemished sacrifice that could redeem those who were enslaved and condemned by the Law's demands. His submission under the Law enabled Him to exhaust its curse and bring about a new covenant of grace.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices in this concise verse to convey profound theological truths. The phrase "the fulness of the time was come" is a powerful example of **Divine Sovereignty** and **Providential Timing**, indicating that God is the ultimate orchestrator of history, bringing His plans to fruition at precisely the right moment. The declaration "God sent forth his Son" utilizes **Incarnation** as a central theme, highlighting the miraculous and pivotal event of God becoming human. The dual description "made of a woman, made under the law" employs **Parallelism** and **Contrast** to emphasize both Christ's genuine humanity and His unique submission to the Law. This also serves as a form of **Redemptive Paradox**, where the divine Son, who is above all law, willingly places Himself under human limitations and legal obligations to achieve salvation for humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 4:4 serves as a theological cornerstone, linking the Old Testament's preparatory period under the Law with the New Testament's era of grace and sonship through Christ. It underscores the profound truth that salvation is not a human endeavor but a divine accomplishment, initiated and completed by God according to His perfect wisdom. The Incarnation—God sending His Son—is the pivotal act that bridges the gap between God and humanity, fulfilling ancient prophecies and inaugurating the new covenant. Christ's dual nature, fully God and fully man, and His perfect obedience under the Law, are essential for His atoning work, transforming humanity's status from enslaved minors to adopted children with full inheritance rights. This verse thus lays the groundwork for understanding the believer's new identity and freedom in Christ, contrasting it sharply with the bondage of legalism.

* [Romans 5:6](/romans/5-6 "Romans 5:6 - Christ Died for the Ungodly")
* [Hebrews 2:14-17](/hebrews/2-14-17 "Hebrews 2:14-17 - Christ's Incarnation and Atonement")
* [Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 4:4 offers immense comfort and profound implications for our lives as believers. It reminds us that God is actively involved in history and in our personal lives, orchestrating events with perfect wisdom and timing. We are not left to the whims of chance or the burdens of our own efforts; rather, our salvation is rooted in God's sovereign plan, executed flawlessly through His Son. This truth should cultivate deep trust in God's providence, even when circumstances seem chaotic or delayed. Furthermore, the verse highlights the incredible humility and sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. The eternal Son of God, who deserved all glory, willingly emptied Himself, taking on human flesh and submitting to the very Law that condemned us, all to redeem us from its curse. This profound act of love frees us from the futile attempt to earn God's favor through our own works and invites us into a relationship of grace and intimate sonship. Our identity is no longer defined by legalistic performance but by our adoption into God's family through Christ. This freedom empowers us to live not under compulsion, but out of grateful love and joyful obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "the fulness of the time" impact your understanding of God's sovereignty in your own life and in world events?**
* **What does Christ being "made of a woman" and "made under the law" reveal about His love and identification with humanity?**
* **In what ways might you still be living "under the law" (trying to earn God's favor or prove your worth) rather than living in the freedom of sonship through Christ?**
* **How does the truth of God sending His Son at the perfect time strengthen your faith and trust in His plans for the future?**

### FAQ
**What does "the fulness of the time" mean in Galatians 4:4?**

Answer: "The fulness of the time" refers to the divinely appointed, perfect moment in history when God chose to send His Son into the world. It signifies that Christ's birth was not a random event but the culmination of God's meticulous preparation and sovereign plan, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and aligning with specific historical, cultural, and spiritual conditions that made the world ripe for the Gospel's reception. This concept highlights God's precise timing and His ultimate control over human history, ensuring that Christ's redemptive work occurred at the most opportune moment for maximum impact and effectiveness. It speaks to a divinely determined completion of a preparatory period, ushering in a new era of salvation and grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 4:4 is a powerful declaration of Christ's central role in God's redemptive plan, encapsulating the very essence of the Gospel. It reveals that Jesus is the pre-existent, eternal Son of God, not merely a human figure, who was "sent forth" by the Father, underscoring His divine origin and mission. His Incarnation, being "made of a woman," confirms His true humanity, essential for Him to be our sympathetic High Priest who can relate to our weaknesses ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). Crucially, Christ was "made under the law," meaning He willingly subjected Himself to its demands. This voluntary submission was not because He was a sinner, but to perfectly fulfill every righteous requirement of the Law ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Christ Fulfilled the Law")) and to bear its curse on our behalf ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). By perfectly obeying the Law and then suffering its penalty, Christ accomplished what humanity never could: He redeemed "them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons" ([Galatians 4:5](/galatians/4-5 "Galatians 4:5 - Adoption as Sons")). Thus, [Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - The Fullness of Time") presents Christ as the unique God-man, whose perfect life and sacrificial death at the "fulness of the time" are the sole means by which believers are liberated from bondage and granted the glorious status of adopted children of God, crying "Abba, Father!" by the Spirit ([Galatians 4:6](/galatians/4-6 "Galatians 4:6 - The Spirit of Adoption")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Romans 1:3

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Mark 1:15

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

1 John 4:14

¶ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.