What does Galatians 4:4 mean?

Verse 4 and 5 summarize the powerful, beautiful gospel of Jesus Christ. This was the good news Paul had preached, and which the Galatians had believed.

In the previous verses, Paul compared life under the law to a child living under the care of a guardian. Though that child is entitled to a grand inheritance, the child's daily life is similar to that of a slave until the predetermined date set by his father arrives. Others determine when and where the child will go and what he will do. He is waiting for the freedom his inheritance will bring.

Now Paul says that date has come for those who were under the law. In fact, the moment has come for all who want to share in the inheritance of Jesus. The date set by God the Father arrived right on schedule. When the "fullness of time" had come, God's Son Jesus was born to a human woman. This woman, Mary, was a virgin (Matthew 1:18), and her pregnancy was a mysterious miracle. She carried the child of God.

Jesus was born into a Jewish family in Israel. As such, He was born "under the law." Jesus was the only human being ever to keep the law perfectly. In doing so, He declared that He had "fulfilled" the law (Matthew 5:17). He satisfied all of its requirements, then died on the cross to pay all of the penalties for the sins of others (Galatians 3:13).