John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. Now I say , etc..] To illustrate what he had said of the law's being a schoolmaster to the Jews until the coming of Christ, and then ceasing as such, he proposes the case of an heir during his minority, till he come to the proper time of enjoying his estate. that the heir, as long as he is a child ; anyone that is an heir to his father's estate, or another's, whilst under age, being reckoned as a child, as he is from his infancy to his manhood, differeth nothing from a servant : he is not his own man, nor at his own dispose; he cannot do as he pleases; he is under restraint; he is kept to school or to business, and is liable to correction and chastisement according as he behaves; nor can he have the free use of his father's estate, though he be Lord of all , of all the servants, according to the Arabic version; or of the whole estate his father left him, of which he is Lord in right, but not in possession; he is right heir to it, though as yet it is not in his hands, nor can he do with it as he will.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - The apostle deals plainly with those who urged the law of Mose together with the gospel of Christ, and endeavoured to bring believer under its bondage. They could not fully understand the meaning of the law as given by Moses. And as that was a dispensation of darkness, s of bondage; they were tied to many burdensome rites and observances, by which they were taught and kept subject like a child under tutors an governors. We learn the happier state of Christians under the gospe dispensation. From these verses see the wonders of Divine love an mercy; particularly of God the Father, in sending his Son into the world to redeem and save us; of the Son of God, in submitting so low and suffering so much for us; and of the Holy Spirit, in condescendin to dwell in the hearts of believers, for such gracious purposes. Also the advantages Christians enjoy under the gospel. Although by natur children of wrath and disobedience, they become by grace children of love, and partake of the nature of the children of God; for he wil have all his children resemble him. Among men the eldest son is heir but all God's children shall have the inheritance of eldest sons. Ma the temper and conduct of sons ever show our adoption; and may the Holy Spirit witness with our spirits that we are children and heirs of God.
Greek Textus Receptus
λεγω 3004 5719 V-PAI-1S δε 1161 CONJ εφ 1909 PREP οσον 3745 K-ASM χρονον 5550 N-ASM ο 3588 T-NSM κληρονομος 2818 N-NSM νηπιος 3516 A-NSM εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S ουδεν 3762 A-ASN διαφερει 1308 5719 V-PAI-3S δουλου 1401 N-GSM κυριος 2962 N-NSM παντων 3956 A-GPM ων 5607 5752 V-PXP-NSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
1. Now I say (legw de). Introducing a continued, explanatory discussion. Comp. chapter iii. 17; v. 16; 1 Cor. i. 12.The heir (o klhronomov). See on inheritance, 1 Pet. i. 4. The article is generic as in the mediator, chapter iii. 20.
A child (nhpiov). A minor. See on 1 Cor. iii. 1. Used by Paul in contrast with teleiov full grown. See Eph. iv. 13; 1 Corinthians 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.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:1 {So long as} (ef' hoson cronon). "For how long a time," incorporation of the antecedent (cronon) into the relative clause. {The heir} (ho kleronomos). Old word (kleros, lot, nemomai, to possess). Illustration from the law of inheritance carrying on the last thought in #3:29. {A child} (nepios). One that does not talk (ne, epos, word). That is a minor, an infant, immature intellectually and morally in contrast with teleioi, full grown (#1Co 3:1; 14:20; Php 3:15; Eph 4:13). {From a bondservant} (doulou). Slave
. Ablative case of comparison after diaferei for which verb see on Mt 6:26. {Though he is lord of all} (kurios pantwn wn). Concessive participle "n, "being legally owner of all" (one who has the power, ho ecwn kuros).
