Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that it refers to the exact, unique point in history when, in God's omniscience, circumstances were such that all the specific prophecies related to the appearance, life, and redeeming work of Christ had been or could be fulfilled, and also when the status and location of Israel within the world of the Roman Empire would enable the gospel message to be disseminated with maximum effectiveness with respect to both time and geography.

May 13 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

There was a proper (fitting) time for everything in Jesus' life. His birth (Galatians 4:4), his death (1 Timothy 2:5-6, and his return to earth (yet future) -- 1 Timothy 6:14-15. All this is the perfect timing of God for his Son! And God has a perfect time for everything that happens in our lives, too!

In my opinion, I would say that "the fullness of time" in Galatians 4:4 meant two things mainly:

1 Rome had brought together a large part of the world under its administration, giving a feeling of solidarity to the different lands. Additionally, in light of the fact that the realm was generally serene, travel was conceivable ("all roads lead to Rome"), permitting the early Christians to spread the gospel. Such an opportunity to travel would have been unimaginable in different periods. 

2 While Rome had vanquished militarily, Greece had vanquished socially. A "typical" type of the Greek language (not quite the same as classical Greek which I studied at Arizona State University -- ASU) was the exchange language and was spoken all through the domain, making it conceivable to convey the gospel to a wide range of social orders through 1 basic language.

See the anonymous hymn, "Now Are The Days Fulfilled"

Now are the days fulfilled,
God’s Son is manifested,
Now His great majesty
In human flesh is vested.
Behold the mighty God,
By Whom all wrath is stilled,
The woman’s promised Seed—
Now are the days fulfilled.

Now are the days fulfilled,
Lo, Jacob’s Star is shining;
The gloomy night has fled
Wherein the world lay pining.
Now, Israel, look on Him
Who long thy heart hath thrilled;
Hear Zion’s watchmen cry:
Now are the days fulfilled.

Now are the days fulfilled,
The child of God rejoices;
No bondage of the Law,
No curses that it voices,
Can fill our hearts with fear;
On Christ our hope we build.
Behold the Prince of Peace—
Now are the days fulfilled.

Author: Anonymous (1746)

Why does this matter for you? God planned the exact moment for His Son to come and save sinners. He was not late. He was not early. He came right on time. And He is still right on time for you.

You may feel like your life is a mess or that you have waited too long. But the same God who scheduled the Roman roads, the Greek language, and the birth of Jesus has scheduled this moment for you to hear this truth.

Here is the invitation. You are under the law. That means you stand guilty before God because you cannot keep His commands. But Christ came born under the law to redeem those under the law. He kept the law perfectly for you. Then He died for your breaking of it.

Right now, stop trying to earn God's favor. Trust in what Christ has already done. He came at the perfect time. He died for sinners. He rose again.

Pray this from your heart:

"Lord God, thank You for sending Jesus at just the right time. I admit I am under the law and guilty. I cannot save myself. I trust that Jesus redeemed me by His death. I receive Him as my Savior right now. Amen."

If you prayed that and meant it, you are no longer under the law. You are adopted as God's own child. The fullness of time has come for your salvation.

November 20 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report