Galatians 4:2

"But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father."

Commentary

Paul continues his analogy of a child heir who, despite owning everything, lives under the authority of guardians and household managers. In Greco-Roman culture, wealthy children had pedagogues (tutors) for education and stewards (governors) who managed their affairs until maturity. The father alone determined when his son would receive full inheritance rights, typically around age 25 in Roman law. This emphasizes God's sovereign timing in salvation history—the law served as guardian until Christ came at the divinely appointed moment.