4:4a
But: There is a contrast between 4:3 and 4:4–5. The contrast is between the time when we were under the law and the time when we were redeemed from being under the law. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction But.
when the time had fully come: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as when the time had fully come refers to the time that God had chosen to end the slavery. God decided when it was the right time for Jesus to come into the world.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
when the right time finally came (Good News Translation)
-or-
when ?God’s? chosen time arrived
-or-
at the time which ?God? had previously decided
4:4b
God sent His Son: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sent can also be translated as “sent out.” This verb implies that God’s Son, Jesus, was with God in heaven. God sent him from heaven to earth at the time he had chosen.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
God sent out his Son (NET Bible)
-or-
God sent his Son ?to come here?
-or-
God sent his Son ?into the world? (God’s Word)
His Son: See how you translated His Son at 1:16. For further information, see the note on this phrase at 1:16.
born of a woman: The clause born of a woman is an idiom. This idiom indicates that God’s Son became a human being.
Some ways to translate this phrase are:
a woman gave birth to him (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he was born a human being
-or-
he ?became a human being? ?by being? born of a woman
4:4c
born under the law: The clause born under the law means that God’s Son, as a human being, was required to obey the law. As a Jewish boy, he was under the authority of the law of Moses.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
born under ?the authority of? the law
-or-
he came under the control of God’s laws (God’s Word)
-or-
His Son obeyed the Law (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
born ?as a Jew who followed? the law ?of Moses?
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