In the Fullness of Time

The Scriptures record the statement of Paul in Galatians 4:4-5, “But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under the law.” What were some of the conditions to which Paul was referring? There was certainly God’s preparation of a people and a cultural context into which the meaning of His coming could be understood. In addition, there needed to be a broader context which would allow for the Church to expand. Many of those changes took centuries to develop.

1.   Beginning with Abraham, and continuing through Moses, the giving of the Law, the prophets, and the prophecies regarding the Messiah, God was preparing the way for the arrival of Jesus.

2.  There was a common language – koine Greek. This language consisted of around 800-1000 words, and made communication possible across the Empire. Paul’s missionary journeys relied heavily on its existence.

3.   The translation of the Old Testament into Greek, several centuries earlier, gave all literate people access to the Scriptures. The Septuagint made it possible to evangelize Gentiles across the entire Empire.

4.     Substantial Jewish communities in all the major cities of the Empire initially gave Paul an immediate starting point for his ministry.

5.   Roman roads were built so well, some of them still exist today. Their initial purpose was for the transport of troops and military hardware. They also had much the function for that time as Interstates do today. Increased commerce, travel, and communication brought the vast Empire closer together. The expansion of the Church and the speed of communication allowed Paul’s letters to arrive in a timely fashion.

6.     The divinity claims of Roman rulers was grasping at straws to legitimize their power.

7.   One-nation rule –kept inter-cultural squabbles to a minimum. A relatively peaceful Empire enhanced the spread of the gospel.

8.      The Roman occupation was fairly benign as long as there was no opposition. However, if rebellion occurred, the military reaction was brutal.

9.    Approximately one-half of the people populating the Roman Empire were slaves – one half were women – and one quarter freemen. This meant that about 10%-12% of the population were Romans.

10. The Roman Empire also encompassed almost the entire then-known world. In the minds of the Christians at that time, the Great Commission was understood to be inclusive of the world they knew.

11. The size of the Empire brought many people from faraway places like northern Europe, India, Northern Africa, Arabia, Central Asia, and the Horn of Africa. New converts were in the position of being able to travel back to their home countries, and evangelize their own people. With such conditions, the power of the message of a Kingdom of freedom, love, salvation etc. fell on willing ears.

What else would you add to this list?

As we consider our context, 2,000 years later, we are anticipating Christ’s Second Advent. What would constitute “the fullness of time,” as we consider His return?

As we observe our world today, what should we be looking for?

How will this understanding influence your desire to reconnect the Church?