-
Galatians 4:21-31
HAGAR AND SARAH - Aug 28, 2024 -
Galatians 4:8-20
PAUL’S CONCERN FOR THE GALATIANS - Aug 27, 2024 -
Galatians 4:21-31
WE ARE CHILDREN OF THE FREE WOMAN - Jul 28, 2020 -
Galatians 4:8-20
PAUL'S CONCERN FOR THE GALATIANS - Jul 27, 2020 -
Galatians 4:1-7
WE ARE NOT A SLAVE, BUT GOD'S CHILD! - Jul 26, 2020 -
Galatians 4:21-31
AN ANALOGY FROM HAGAR AND SARAH - Jun 27, 2016 -
Galatians 4:8-20
PAUL'S PLEA TO THE GALATIANS - Jun 26, 2016 -
Galatians 4:1-7
THE SPIRIT WHO CALLS OUT, 'ABBA, FATHER.' - Jun 25, 2016 -
Galatians 4:1-7
GOD SENT HIS SON - Jan 01, 2000 -
Galatians 4:8-20
UNTIL CHRIST IS FORMED IN YOU - Jan 01, 2000 -
Galatians 4:21-31
HAGAR AND SARAH - Jan 01, 2000
NO LONGER A SLAVE, BUT GOD’S CHILD
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)
Footnotes
- Galatians 4:3 Or under the basic principles
- 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.
- Galatians 4:6 Aramaic for Father
Cross references
- Galatians 4:3 : ver 8, 9, 24, 25; Gal 2:4
- Galatians 4:3 : Col 2:8, 20
- Galatians 4:4 : Mk 1:15; Ro 5:6; Eph 1:10
- Galatians 4:4 : S Jn 3:17
- Galatians 4:4 : S Jn 1:14
- Galatians 4:4 : Lk 2:27
- Galatians 4:5 : S Ro 3:24
- Galatians 4:5 : Jn 1:12
- Galatians 4:5 : S Ro 8:14
- Galatians 4:6 : S Ac 16:7
- Galatians 4:6 : Ro 5:5
- Galatians 4:6 : Ro 8:15, 16
- Galatians 4:7 : S Ro 8:17
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 chapterFootnotes
- Galatians 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verse 7
- Galatians 4:3 Or elemental spirits; also verse 9
Cross references
- Galatians 4:3 : See ch. 2:4
- Galatians 4:4 : [1 Tim. 2:6]; See Mark 1:15
- Galatians 4:4 : Phil. 2:7; See John 1:14
- Galatians 4:4 : [1 Tim. 2:15]; See Gen. 3:15
- Galatians 4:4 : [Luke 2:21, 22, 27]
- Galatians 4:5 : See ch. 3:13
- Galatians 4:5 : ch. 3:26; See Rom. 8:15
- Galatians 4:6 : [Rom. 5:5; 2 Cor. 3:17]; See Acts 16:7
- Galatians 4:7 : See ch. 3:29
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
An heir who is not of age does not receive his or her inheritance until an appointed time. Before then, one is no different than a slave, being kept under the rules and regulations of one’s guardians and trustees. In the same way, like slaves, we were once subject to the laws and principles of this world. But when the set time had come, God redeemed us from the law so that we receive the rights of sons and daughters as our inheritance!
We must know our identity as sons and daughters of God. Under the law, we used to live in fear. Fear causes separation, and we must strive constantly to please our master. But God redeemed us so that we would no longer live as slaves but live in sonship. Jesus also lived and knew his identity as a Son of God. By His Spirit, we can now cry out, “Abba, Father!” to the Living God.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you so much for breaking the curse and making me your beloved child. Forgive me for living in fear and allow me to receive the inheritance of being your child.
One Word: We are children of God and heirs to His kingdom