New Testament · Galatians

Galatians 4

Sons and Heirs

1Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.

3So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elements of the world.^a 4But when the fullness^b of the time^c came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under law^d, 5so that He might redeem those who were under law, that we might receive the adoption as sons^e. 6Because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit^f of His Son into your hearts^g, crying, "Father^h! Father!" 7Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Messiah.

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

8However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elements, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? 10You are observing with hostile intent days and months and appointed times and years.^ij 11I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain. 12I beg of you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are; you have done me no wrong;

13but you know that it was because of a weakness of flesh^k that I proclaimed the good news to you the first time; 14and my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Messiah Yeshua Himself. 15What then was your sense of blessing? For I testify of you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth^l?

17They eagerly seek you, but not commendably; they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. 18But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.

19My children, with whom I am again in labor until Messiah is formed in you — 20but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

The Slave Woman and the Free Woman

(Genesis 21:9–21)

21Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and one by the free woman. 23But the one by the slave woman was born according to flesh, and the one by the free woman through the promise.

24This is speaking allegorically, for these women are two covenants^m: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. 25Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26But the Jerusalem above is free; she is the mother of us all. 27For it is written: "Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in labor; for more numerous are the children of the desolate than of the one who has a husband."

28And we, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29But as at that time he who was born according to flesh persecuted him who was born according to spirit, so it is now also.

30But what does the scripture say? "Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman."ⁿ 31So then, brothers, we are not children of a slave woman, but of the free woman.