The Three Estates
Galatians 4:1-2
Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;


I. SOCIALLY.

1. The servant.

2. The child under tutors and governors.

3. The man come of age, liberated, and in possession of the inheritance.

II. ECCLESIASTICALLY.

1. The condition of servitude was that of the Church under the law, in bondage to beggarly elements.

2. The condition of the child already adopted but waiting for the inheritance is that of the Church under the gospel.

3. The condition of the man, full grown and enjoying his inheritance is that of the Church in glory.

III. SPIRITUALLY.

1. The state of servitude is that of the soul unconverted. "He that committeth sin is the slave of sin." Sin is "bondage of corruption."

2. The state of Sonship and liberty is that of the soul justified and sanctified (John 8:35; John 15:15).

3. The state of full manhood is where the glorifled saint enters the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and which fadeth not away.

(E. Garbett, M. A.)



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

WEB: But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all;




The Method and Fruits of Justification
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