What does “until Christ is formed in you” mean (Galatians 4:19)?

Answer

In Galatians 4:8–20, the apostle Paul expresses deep concern about the wayward spiritual state of the Galatians. The church had fallen under the influence of Judaizers who preached a distorted gospel by mixing God’s grace with human efforts. Consequently, the Galatians had regressed into religious legalism. Through a detailed argument emphasizing that righteousness comes from faith in Christ’s redemptive work rather than our own deeds (Galatians 3:1—4:31), Paul expresses the depth of his affection for the Galatians. These converts were the result of his evangelistic work. He had toiled for their salvation, and now he compares his concern to that of a mother experiencing labor pains once more: “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” «My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, », (Galatians 4:19).

God’s intention for every believer is to be conformed to the likeness and character of Jesus Christ: “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:29;NLT;see also Ephesians 1:4-11). Paul was eager to witness his cherished spiritual children progressing toward that goal, “growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church” «but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: », (Ephesians 4:15, NLT). Paul would not cease to care and agonize until the life

of Christ was formed in them.

The word translated as “formed” (morphoomai in Greek) in Galatians 4:19 means “to be or become developed into a distinctive entity,” as in the formation of an embryo in the womb. Paul’s illustration emphasizes their need to start growing up spiritually. He longed to witness the actual presence of Jesus Christ living in the Galatians.

At salvation, the life of Christ dwells within believers. Jesus said, “I am in them” «I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. », (John 17:23, NLT), and Paul affirmed, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” «I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. », (Galatians 2:20). However, the process of transformation “until Christ is formed in you” is a lifelong journey (1 John 3:2;Philippians 3:21;2 Peter 1:4). Paul instructed the Colossians, “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him” «and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: », (Colossians 3:10). The process of spiritual growth was being obstructed in the Galatians by external religious practices rather than genuine internal transformation (see Colossians 2:20-23). Believers do not attain righteousness through their own efforts, by observing rules and regulations,But by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit: “And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18;NLT;see also Ephesians 4:23;1 Corinthians 6:11;2 Corinthians 1:21-22;Titus 3:4-7).

Paul told the Philippians that nothing is more important in the Christian life than knowing Christ and becoming like Him. We accomplish this not by obeying the law but through faith in Jesus: “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with Himself depends on faith” (Philippians 3:8-9;NLT).

Christ is formed in you when there is nothing left to see but Him living in you (Romans 8:9-11;Galatians 3:27). Christ is formed in you when He is your everything and all you need (Romans 7:4;1 Corinthians 1:30;2 Corinthians 12:9;Ephesians 4:15;Philippians 4:19;2 Peter 1:3).