Galatians 4
Sons and Heirs
1I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, ▼▼Greek bondservant; also verse 7
though he is the owner of everything, 2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3In the same way we also, when we were children, bwere enslaved to the elementary principles ▼▼Or elemental spirits; also verse 9
of the world. 4But dwhen the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, eborn fof woman, born gunder the law, 5 hto redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive iadoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God has sent jthe Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then kan heir through God. Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
8Formerly, when you ldid not know God, you mwere enslaved to those that by nature nare not gods. 9But now that you have come to know God, or rather oto be known by God, phow can you turn back again to qthe weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 rYou observe days and months and seasons and years! 11I am afraid sI may have labored over you in vain. 12Brothers, ▼▼Or Brothers and sisters; also verses 28, 31
uI entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. vYou did me no wrong. 13You know it was wbecause of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you xat first, 14and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me yas an angel of God, zas Christ Jesus. 15What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16Have I then become your enemy by aatelling you the truth? ▼▼Or by dealing truthfully with you
17They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and acnot only when I am present with you, 19 admy little children, aefor whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ afis formed in you! 20I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. Example of Hagar and Sarah
21Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, agone by a slave woman and ahone by a free woman. 23But aithe son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while ajthe son of the free woman was born through promise. 24Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two akcovenants. alOne is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; ▼▼Some manuscripts For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia
she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26But anthe Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27For it is written, ao“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband.”
28Now you, ▼
▼Some manuscripts we
brothers, aqlike Isaac, arare children of promise. 29But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh aspersecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, atso also it is now. 30But what does the Scripture say? au“Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but avof the free woman.
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