Quote: Martin Luther on Galatians 4:8

Whether you understand the “elements of the world” to mean the Law of Moses, or the religions of the heathen nations, it makes no difference. Those who lapse from the Gospel to the Law are no better off than those who lapse from grace into idolatry. Without Christ all religion is idolatry.

Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, Chapter 4 Verse 8

Concerning Christian Liberty, by Martin Luther

Luther lays down two propositions about spiritual liberty:

1. The Christian is the most free and is subject to none
2. The Christians is the most servitude and is subject to every one

These apparently contradictory statements are found in Paul’s writings.

“Though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all” – 1 Corinthians 9:19
“Owe no man anything, but to love one another” – Romans 13:8

This is seen in Christ himself because love inherently is obedient to the beloved object. Christ, who was subject to none, put himself under the law. Christ was simultaneously free and a servant.

Luther explores this paradox also in the twofold nature of man-spiritual and bodily (2 Cor. 4:16). Scripture calls the spiritual nature as a new man, in contrast to the bodily nature, the old man. Thus in Scripture seemingly contradictory statements can be applied to the same man because in one man there are two men in struggle with one another.