Galatians 4:5 has a great ending! Jesus came to earth (over 2,000 years ago) … “to redeem them (us) that were under the law, that we might receive the ADOPTION OF SONS.”
By the way, the verb “receive” is “apolambano” in Greek. It means “to take,” particularly “to take that which has been promised to you!” (Literally it is “to receive” and then “take unto yourself!”) To appropriate personally, to apply individually!
It (“might receive,” the verb here) is written in the subjunctive mood, telling us this blessing (“adoption of sons”) is NOT automatic! NOT necessarily everybody will experience this blessing! Just those who have trusted Jesus! By Grace through faith, apart from the works of the law of Moses! The humble, repenting “whosoever wills” Jesus and Paul loved to mention so long ago!
This implies that if we will think about (ponder, meditate upon) our Adoption into Christ … we will enjoy our Christian lives to the fullest!
But now … what does that word “adoption” mean?
In fact, the phrase “adoption of sons” is one word in Greek.
As in: “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the ADOPTION OF SONS.” Our elongated Text for the past few mornings, Galatians 4:4-5.
And that single word is “huiothesia.”
It’s really a blend of two words, a verb and a noun.
“Tithemi” (the “thesia” part of adoption) is the verb. And it means “to set something in place.” Or even “to lay something down properly.” It is translated “make” 10 times in the King James Version, God having “made” us His sons! And it is expressed “appoint” 6 more times, God having “appointed” us His sons!
Wow!
Sounds “official!”
The other part of “huiothesia” is “huios,” the noun meaning “sons.” Important: not babies, mind you! But SONS, more than implying adult sons!
Fully grown, mature … legally apt to be placed in the Father’s Will!
My lexicon states of “huios” … “the word gives prominence to the inward, ethical, legal aspects of parentage.” Thrilling!
God has legally placed us (who believe in Jesus) into His Family!
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
In one real sense. we have been “born-again” into the Family!
Now today we learn, in another sense, we’ve been “adopted” into It!
Doubly blessed, I’d say!
Thus, not under a “schoolmaster,” a slave whose job was to prepare me for adulthood!
Thus, Paul’s very “point” here, not under the Law!