The last words of ch. iii., “heirs according to the promise,” are now further discussed. It is shown that the capability of heirship, which was first conferred through Christ, could not enter earlier into the history of mankind, because man- kind was still in its minority ; and its majority, its sonship, was first entered upon through Christ. The way of the law was not, as the Jews supposed, a direct way to the fulfilment
132 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. IV.
of the divine promise. At the same time, it did not utterly lead away from the true goal. It was a roundabout way to it. Sabatier (? Apétre Paul) observes: “The law is neither absolutely identical with the promise, nor absolutely opposed toit. It is not the negation of the promise, but is distinct from it and subordinate to it. Its final purpose lies in the promise itself. It is an essential but transitional element in the historical development of humanity. It must disappear on attaining its goal. ‘Christ is the end of the law.’” But why was this way necessary? Why did not God open the way of faith leading to the inheritance of the promise immed- iately after the promise was given? The answer to this was indicated in ili. 24-26. It is now given more fully.
1. Now | say (Aé¢yw 6é). Introducing a continued, explan- atory discussion. Comp. ch. ili. 17; v. 16; 1 Cor. i. 12.
The heir (0 KAnpovduos). See on inheritance, 1 Pet. i. 4. The article is generic as in the mediator, ch. iii. 20.
A child (vjmios). A minor. See on1Cor. iii. 1. Used by Paul in contrast with réXevos full grown. See Eph. iv. 13; 1 Cor. xiv. 20; Philip. iii. 15. The Jews called proselytes or novices babes. See Rom. ii. 20.
Lord of all. Legally, by right of birth, though not actually.
2. Tutors (émtpdéouvs). Better, guardians. See on L. viii. 3. Only here in Paul. A general term, covering all to whom supervision of the child is intrusted, and should not be limited to maidaywyds (ch. iii. 24). See 2 Mace. xi. 1; Kigh eee K I pee
Governors (oixoveuous). Better, stewards. Lat. dispens- atores. More special than guardians, signifying those who had charge of the heir’s property. See on L. xvi. 1. In later Greek it was used in two special senses: 1. The slave whose duty it was to distribute the rations to the other slaves :
Cu. IV.] THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS. 1383
so L. xii. 42. 2. The land-steward: so L. xvi. 1. Comp. Rom. xvi. 23, 6 oixoveuos Tis mTdXEws, commonly rendered city-treasurer: A. V. chamberlain.* In Lucian, Alex. 39, the Roman procurators, or fiscal administrators, are called of Kaicapos otxoveuot ; comp. 1 Esdr. iv. 49 ; Esth. viii. 9. The dispensator in the Roman household had charge of the accounts and made the payments (see Cicero, ad Att. xi. 1; Juv. Sat. i. 91). He was commonly a slave. Christian teachers are calied “stewards of the mysteries of God” and “of the grace of God” (1 Cor. iv. 1; 1 Pet. iv. 10), as those who have received the counsels of God and impart them to men. A bishop or overseer is also called ‘‘a steward of God” Crit. i. Ty.
The time appointed (apofeculas) N.T.°. °LXX. In Athenian law the term limited for bringing actions and pros- ecutions. IIpoleculas veuos a statute of limitations. It was also applied to the time allowed a defendant for paying dam- ages, after the expiration of which, if he had not paid, he was called izrepruepos, or éxmrpdlecpos, or vrepmpobec wos one who had gone over his day of payment. Whether Paul’s figure assumes that the father is dead or living is a point which does not affect hisargument. It is not easy to decide. As Alford justly remarks: “the antitype breaks through the'type and disturbs it, as is the case wherever the idea of inheritance is spiritualised.” IZpoecpla an appointed time for the termina- tion of the minority, would seem to imply that the father is conceived as living; since, if he were dead, that matter would be regulated by statute.}