An Exegetical Analysis of Galatians 4:4: Temporal Order and Participial Function
This exegetical study of Galatians 4:4: Temporal Order and Participial Function is based on a b-greek discussion from July 12, 2002. The initial inquiry concerned the precise temporal relationship between the main verb ἐξαπέστειλεν (“sent forth”) and the subsequent aorist participles γενόμενον (“born” / “made”). Specifically, the question posed was whether God’s act of sending His Son occurred *prior* to the Son being “made of a woman” and “made under the law.”
The core exegetical issue thus revolves around the semantic and syntactic relationship between the aorist main verb and the two aorist participles in Galatians 4:4. Scholars debate whether the participles describe actions strictly *prior* to, *contemporaneous* with, or *explanatory* of the manner of the main verb’s action, especially given the common interpretation of the aorist participle denoting prior action relative to the main verb. Furthermore, the theological and rhetorical significance of Paul’s specific phrasing, particularly the statements “born of a woman” and “under the law,” warrants careful consideration within the broader context of Galatians.
Ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός, γενόμενον ὑπὸ νόμον. (Galatians 4:4, Nestle 1904)
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- There are no significant textual differences between the Nestle 1904 text and the SBLGNT (2010) for Galatians 4:4. Both editions read identically.
Textual and Lexical Notes
The text of Galatians 4:4 is remarkably stable across manuscript traditions. The Nestle-Aland 28th edition (NA28) records no significant variants for this verse, confirming the consistent preservation of the Greek wording, including the aorist forms of the main verb and participles, throughout the transmission history.
Lexical Notes:
- Ὅτε: (Conj.) When, at the time that. Introduces a temporal clause defining the moment of the main event.
- ἦλθεν (from ἔρχομαι): (Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Singular) Came, arrived. In context, refers to the appointed time.
- πλήρωμα: (Noun, Neuter Singular Nominative) BDAG: “that which fills or completes something; a fulfilling, completion, fullness.” KITTEL (TDNT): In this context, it signifies the divinely ordained culmination of a historical period, the opportune moment for God’s redemptive action.
- χρόνου: (Noun, Masculine Singular Genitive) Time, period of time.
- ἐξαπέστειλεν (from ἐξαποστέλλω): (Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Singular) BDAG: “to send away from a specific location to a destination, send out, send forth.” KITTEL (TDNT): Emphasizes the authority of the sender and the mission of the one sent, frequently used of God sending his Son or Spirit.
- υἱὸν: (Noun, Masculine Singular Accusative) Son. Here referring to Jesus Christ.
- γενόμενον (from γίνομαι): (Aorist Participle Middle/Passive, Masculine Singular Accusative) BDAG: “to come into being, be born, be created, happen.” KITTEL (TDNT): Often denotes becoming or being born, particularly in the context of human birth or transformation. Its use here highlights the Son’s actual human incarnation, rather than a mere appearance. The middle/passive voice indicates the Son’s experience or state.
- ἐκ γυναικός: (Prepositional Phrase) From a woman. Emphasizes human origin.
- ὑπὸ νόμον: (Prepositional Phrase) Under law. Signifies subjection to the Mosaic Law.
Translation Variants and Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
The primary exegetical challenge in Galatians 4:4 lies in the temporal and semantic relationship between the aorist main verb ἐξαπέστειλεν and the two subsequent aorist participles, γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός and γενόμενον ὑπὸ νόμον. While aorist participles often denote action prior to the main verb, this is not an absolute rule and depends heavily on context and the participle’s function.
Grammatically, the participles are in the accusative case, agreeing with τὸν υἱὸν, and function adjectivally. They are descriptive, elaborating on the nature or circumstances of the Son as he was sent. This aligns with classifications such as “adjectival” or “attributive” participles. Some grammarians further specify them as “ascriptive attributive participles,” indicating that they ascribe certain qualities or conditions to the noun they modify, effectively functioning like relative clauses (e.g., “who was born…”).
Regarding temporality, scholars offer varied perspectives. While an aorist participle *can* indicate prior action, many argue that in this specific context, the participles describe the *manner* or *result* of the sending, or aspects inherent to the sending itself, rather than actions that strictly preceded it. For instance, it is difficult to conceive of the Son being “born of a woman” *before* being “sent forth” in a way that implies temporal precedence. Instead, the sending *involved* or *resulted in* his birth and subjection to the Law. Thus, the participles are best understood as contemporaneous with or explanatory of the main verb, articulating *how* God sent His Son into the world: by means of his incarnation and his life under the Jewish Law.
Rhetorically and theologically, the phrases γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός (“born of a woman”) and γενόμενον ὑπὸ νόμον (“born under the Law”) are profoundly significant for Paul’s argument in Galatians. The specification “born of a woman” underscores the Son’s genuine humanity, emphasizing that he was not a phantom or a mere divine manifestation, but fully entered the human condition. This full identification with humanity is crucial for his role as redeemer. Simultaneously, “born under the Law” highlights his complete solidarity with those under the Mosaic Law, from which Paul argues his Gentile audience is now freed through faith. By experiencing both humanity and subjection to the Law, the Son could effectively redeem humanity and offer freedom from the Law, ushering in the new status of sonship for believers.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
In conclusion, the aorist participles in Galatians 4:4 function adjectivally, describing the nature and conditions of the Son as he was sent by God. Their temporal relationship to the main verb ἐξαπέστειλεν is best understood as contemporaneous or explanatory, elucidating *how* the sending occurred. The phrases ἐκ γυναικός and ὑπὸ νόμον are central to Paul’s theological argument, affirming Christ’s full humanity and his identification with those he came to redeem, thereby paving the way for the believer’s adoption and freedom from the Law.
- But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth his Son, who was born of a woman and born under the Law,
This translation uses relative clauses to clarify the descriptive nature of the participles, emphasizing the Son’s human and legal status as a concomitant reality of his divine mission.
- But when the appointed time had fully arrived, God sent his Son, so that he would be born of a woman and live under the Law,
This option highlights the purpose or intended consequence of God’s sending, suggesting that these aspects of the Son’s existence were inherent to the divine plan for his mission.
- But when the completion of the time arrived, God sent forth his Son, having come into being through a woman and having been subjected to the Law,
This translation explicitly translates the aorist participle γενόμενον as “having come into being” or “having become,” emphasizing the accomplished fact of Jesus’ incarnation and his obedience to the Law as integral aspects of God’s act of sending.