Paul just keeps writing one great verse after another!
In this Section of the Epistle to the Galatians.
And today’s Text is no exception!
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6
The Greek “conjunction” (which “joins” this sentence to the previous verse) “because” translates “hoti,” which is simply the neuter gender of “hostis.” And in our New Testaments that word (“hostis”) is surprisingly translated “whosoever” 12 times!
Brother Bagwell, identify these “sons” of God, please. These to whom God has sent forth His Spirit! They are the “whosoevers” for whom Jesus died! The “red and yellow and black and white” people for whom the Blood was shed! Yes, I believe my Saviour is indeed “the Christ, the Saviour of the world,” quoting John 4:42. Not (of course) that everybody will be saved … but Jesus died for everybody, nonetheless! (1st John 2:2 comes to mind here. “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Amen!)
Look what God has done to/for His “sons!”
Now here is the Greek noun “huios,” a child/son in full legal standing before the world, Roman or Greek! A genuine scion with all the legal rights he or she could possess! In other words, not a baby, not an infant, certainly not an embryo! An “adopted” (though possibly young) adult, not a minor, once more I say! (In the “born-again” sense, we are/were “newborn babes,” so says Simon Peter. But in Paul’s higher “adoption” sense, we are adult sons and daughters, from the very moment of salvation!)
Wow!
God, for those sincere believers, has “dispatched” the Holy Spirit “into” their lives! “God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,” per our Verse today, Galatians 4:6b. Yes, “sent forth” is “exapostello,” meaning “deputized!” God has “charged with an official mission” His Holy Spirit “to live in our hearts” and be more (much more) to us that the Law of Moses could have ever hoped!
Note too … here the Third Member of the Godhead is not called “Holy Spirit,” His usual Name! He is termed “the Spirit of His Son,” the Spirit of Jesus!
Wow!
God being God, what’s the Difference? None theologically, but this is a beautiful “turn of phrase!” A beautiful Title for the Spirit! (Only once elsewhere can I find a like Expression! In Philippians 1:19 Paul refers to “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Still to me, ultra Lovely!)
And just “where” did God send His (Jesus’) Spirit? “God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son INTO your hearts.” Here is “eis,” a major New Testament preposition! It means (with an accusative case object, as here) “in, by, near, among, concerning,” and such. Close enough for me! Paul specifies further when later writing the Corinthians, though. “Your body is the TEMPLE of the Holy Ghost which is IN you, which ye have of God!” Amazing, that’s “in” all right, 1st Corinthians 6:19.
One more clause today.
When this “Spirit of God’s Son” comes … He is “crying!” Translating “krazo” here, the Holy Spirit is “speaking, enunciating with a LOUD VOICE!” Clearly emphasizing something, “sonship!” The verb here is a present participle, too! Ongoing action, durative action, never ending action! Habitual action, ABBA, ABBA, ABBA!
The noun “Abba” is not even Hebrew! Rather, it’s Aramaic. Some scholars say “Chaldean!” Either way, it’s a term of endearment, and very personal! (Some illustrate “Abba” with the idea of it being quite near the vocative “Daddy” that we tenderly use in the South here!)
“Abba” is only used in three different Texts in Scripture. Once in Mark’s Gospel (Mark 14:36) and then twice by Paul (Romans 8:15 then here in Galatians 4:6).
And in all those cases, “Abba” is immediately attached to the Greek noun “Pater” or just “Father!” As in “Abba Father!” And ultimately the Name became the culture’s favorite way of addressing God the Father when one was in prayer!
Dads do often grant their son’s and daughter’s requests!
Note: “Abba” (Daddy) in Greek is very close to “Ab” (Father) in Hebrew! (Yet again, Aramaic and Chaldean are both Semitic languages, as is Hebrew!)
“Abba,” it’s pretty isn’t it? Peaceful, and secure, thus very comforting!
And only the Holy Spirit can “implant” that “desire” in you, that “hunger” to call your Heavenly Father “ABBA!”
Wow, I’m doing it now.
Think I’ll quit writing now and go pray!
To “Abba Father!”
— Dr. Mike Bagwell