THE SPIRIT WHO CALLS OUT, 'ABBA, FATHER.'

Passage: Galatians 4:1-7

Key verse: 4:6

NIV

4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery(A) under the elemental spiritual forces[a] of the world.(B) 4 But when the set time had fully come,(C) God sent his Son,(D) born of a woman,(E) born under the law,(F) 5 to redeem(G) those under the law, that we might receive adoption(H) to sonship.[b](I) 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son(J) into our hearts,(K) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[c] Father.”(L) 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.(M)

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Galatians 4:3 Or under the basic principles
  2. Galatians 4:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.
  3. Galatians 4:6 Aramaic for Father
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Sons and Heirs

4 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave,[a] though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, (A)were enslaved to the elementary principles[b] of the world. 4 But (B)when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, (C)born (D)of woman, born (E)under the law, 5 (F)to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive (G)adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent (H)the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then (I)an heir through God.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Galatians 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verse 7
  2. Galatians 4:3 Or elemental spirits; also verse 9
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Frist, we were all once in slavery (1-3). An heir and a slave are no different as long as the heir is underage. The heir's relationship to the family is never disputed. One day the heir will receive the family's estate. However, until that time, the heir is under the authority of guardians and trustees. Likewise, all mankind was once under the spiritual forces and basic principles of this world. No one was a child of God. But God always had a plan to make both Jews and Gentiles his children. Second, we can now be God's children (4-7). At the set time, God sent Jesus into the world. Jesus was born of a woman and under the law, so that he might save those under the law. Jesus did this by his death and resurrection. Jesus redeemed us so that we can be adopted as God's children. Furthermore, God sent his Spirit into our hearts, the Spirit who cries on our behalf, 'Abba, Father.' We are no longer slaves. By his grace, God is our Father and we are heirs of his kingdom.

Prayer: Father, thank you for redeeming us from the spiritual forces of this world. Thank you for being our Father and for making us heirs of your kingdom.

One Word: God is our Father