The Significance of Christ's Human Birth in Galatians 4:4-5

Understanding the meaning behind the phrase 'Christ was born of a woman' in Paul's writing in Galatians 4:4-5 is crucial for grasping the theological perspective of Christ's role in Christian theology. This article delves into the reasons behind this significant statement and its implications.

Christ's Sacrifice for Redemption

For Christ to be the ultimate savior and redeemer of humanity, He had to be both human and without sin. This was necessary to defeat the power of Satan over the world. Unlike the unblemished animals sacrifices that the priests of the Temple of Judaism performed, which only temporarily forgave sins, Christ's sacrifice was once for all time. A human, specifically a flesh and blood woman, needed to be His mother for this sacrifice to be effective. Mary, a normal woman, fulfilled this role.

Emphasizing Jesus' Humanity

The wording in Galatians serves to emphasize Jesus' humanity. Just like every human being who lived at the time, Jesus experienced an ordinary human birth. This is evident from the next phrase indicating that He was born under the Torah, a system of rituals and laws that the Israelites followed. The readers, too, had been slaves to this culture of ritual religion, but Jesus offered them the freedom to escape this slavery by following Yahweh's spiritual principles.

God's Son Born of a Woman

Galatians does not suggest that Christ God existed long before Mary was born or that He created her. It states that God's Son, who is not human, was born of a woman as a human being. This incarnation was a critical step in the plan to redeem humanity. The verses in Galatians 4:4–5 read:

But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. To redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

This adoption by God signifies the spiritual relationship between Him and humanity, specifically those who reject the confines of ritual religion and follow His divine will.

Further Insights from Colossians 1:15–20

For a deeper understanding, Colossians 1:15–20 provides additional context:

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation.... Through him, God created all things in the heavenly realms and on earth.... Everything was created through him and for him.... He existed before anything else and holds all creation together.... Through Christ, God reconciled all things to himself, making peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross.

This establishes Christ as the central figure in the divine plan of redemption, emphasizing His eternal existence and supreme importance. His human birth was a momentous event in the grand scheme of salvation.

In conclusion, the phrase 'Christ was born of a woman' in Galatians is not merely a statement of fact but a profound declaration of the divine plan for humanity's redemption. It underscores the humanity of Christ, His purpose as the savior, and the importance of His mother, Mary, in this historical and theological narrative.