The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
Summary: Paul wants us to understand that God has never abandoned the human race. Our Father in heaven has made provisions for us until the time he has set for us.
When I look at this passage, there is a tickle in the back of my mind. Something is trying to get out into the light.
Paul’s statement is correct as it stands. “The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.” But is the backstory? What are the conditions that brought us to this point?
The heir is subject to “guardians and trustees” because the father is absent. In our case, our Father is in heaven. He is not physically present here on earth.
Commentaries go a lot of different directions with this passage. Some look into the technicalities of guardians and trustees in the ancient world. Others question whether the father actually sets the time or whether that is a matter of law.
Personally, I think Paul’s point is simpler.
In the prior verse, he makes the case that the heir is “no different from a slave.” In the next verse, he draws a parallel with being a slave to the “elemental spiritual forces of the world.”
It seems odd that a loving father would trap his children in slavery to “elemental spiritual forces,” but this is Paul’s metaphor, so we will go with it.
Maybe his point is that we don’t get to pick our “guardians and trustees.”
In the old mystery/adventure genre stories, coming across a young person trapped by the trust they hope to inherit is not unusual. Typically, the trustee or guardian is a crotchety old man who doesn’t feel obligated to explain himself. The young person resents the conditions placed on them by the trustee, and conflict ensues. (If it is a murder mystery, the trustee is often the victim.)
So, what is the takeaway from this?
Guardians and trustees are supposed to keep us out of trouble, but they are not the same as having our real father around.
For example, a few verses back Paul writes, “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24).
Do we like being under the law? Does anybody?
The answer depends on the kind of person we are. If we are someone who constantly wants to do things forbidden by the law, the law is going to seem restrictive. If, on the other hand, we always seem to want to do what is approved by the law, then there is no conflict. The law is okay. Maybe even good.
Application: To know God’s will is to know and understand his laws.
Food for Thought: What does our response to God’s law say about us?
Our response to God’s Law demonstrates our response to the Law giver. Psalm 119 is an example of David’s (inspired by the Holy Spirit) love for the Law because he loves God.
If we love the Law giver we will see the law as good. Our response to the Law reveals our response to its source.
Rich,
Well said!
David truly is a good example of loving the law giver. His love for God bubbles out of him in every situation. He is well grounded in his relationship with the Father.
What does our response to God’s law say about us?
As I read our meditation for today, I recalled a story often spoke of in my family.
I was a young child, 7 or 8, and my mother had to go to the store. Before leaving the house, she told me to watch my brother who was 2 years younger than me. When she returned the kitchen was a disaster with the utensils from all the lower shelve scattered all over. My mothers words to me were, “I told you to watch your brother”, to which I replied, “I did”.
As Rich writes, Our response to God’s Law demonstrates our response to the Law giver.
The “guardians and trustees” provided by God are far more responsible, effective than the little boy “watching” his brother.
John 16:8, When He comes, He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:
The restrainer has been sent to this world, our response demonstrates our response to the Word of God as revealed to all by the Holy Spirit.
Ron,
Your story made me laugh … hard! 🙂
Yes, God’s guardians probably understand that there is more to “watching over” someone than just watching. 🙂