Les Feldick Bible Study

What does it mean that Christ was born "when the fullness of the time was come"?

The phrase means that according to God's schedule, at the exact right day, hour, and year, the Messiah was born in Bethlehem. After four thousand years of varying types of responsibility, God did something totally different, fulfilling His promise in Genesis 3:15; the cross work could not be finished until Christ was first born.

Les explains that Israel lived under those circumstances until the work of the cross was finished, but that work could not be finished until Christ had first been born at Bethlehem. After four thousand years of varying types of responsibility, God did something totally different, beginning with the fulfillment of a promise made in Genesis 3:15. "When the fullness of the time was come" means that according to God's schedule, at the exact right day and hour and year, the Messiah was born in Bethlehem. Les also notes that Paul does not have to rehearse all the details of Joseph and Mary because that was already implied and prophesied. This is the Christmas story, referring to Christ's birth in Bethlehem, and it happened because it was in God's timetable.

Galatians 4:4

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

More Questions

What does "the fullness of the time" mean in Galatians 4:4?

"The fullness of the time" means that according to God's schedule, at the exact right day and hour and year, the Messiah was born in Bethlehem.

When was Christ born according to Galatians 4?

Christ was born in the fullness of time, right on God's timetable, as Galatians 4 teaches.