WE ARE NOT A SLAVE, BUT GOD'S CHILD!

Passage: Galatians 4:1-7

Key verse: 7

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)

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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.

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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

1. We were all slaves once (1-3)

An underage heir of a large estate is no different from a slave of that estate. Even though an owner's child will someday be the owner, one is under the constant watchful eye of one's parents and told what to do, how to dress, when to eat, and when to sleep. The same applies spiritually. Once we were under the spiritual forces of the world. We were controlled by our sinful nature. Just as a child can't escape the control of their parents, we couldn't escape being controlled by our sinful nature.

2. Not a slave nor a child, but an heir! (4-7)

At just the right time, God sent His son in order to redeem us, who were under the law. What was the result of this change? We went from being like a young child or a slave to being adopted as God's children with the full rights of an heir. God also sent His Spirit into our hearts, and, by it, we cry 'Abba, Father.' It is only by His grace that we are made to be heirs of God's kingdom.

Prayer: Lord, thank you so much for adopting me as your child. Thank you for making me an heir of your kingdom.

One Word: I am adopted as God's child