Galatians 4
—Simply Bible Readings

Every Christian a Son of God

(Galatians 4:1-31)

¶“1I say to you that an heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave. Of course he is the owner of everything, 2but he is under schoolmasters and managers until the date set by his father. 3In the same way, we also were once children enslaved to the worldly elements. 4But in the fullness of time God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law. 5[God’s Son came] to buy back those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God” (Galatians 4:1-7).

¶“8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves of false gods that don't have God’s nature. 9But now you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God. So how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless worldy elements? Do you want to be their slaves once more?” (Galatians 4:8-9).

¶“ 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have laboured over you in vain. 12 Brethren, I implore you to become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know that I had a health problem when I first preached the gospel to you. 14 And although my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as you would an angel of God, or even Christ Jesus. 15 What has happened to your blessedness? For I bear you witness that, were it possible, you would have taken out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They have a zeal for you, but for no good purpose. They want to exclude you [from us] that you may be zealous of them. 18 It is good to be zealous in a good way, and at all times, not just when I am present with you. 19 My little children, I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish that I could be present with you soon, and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.” (Galatians 4:10-20)

¶“21Tell me, you who wish to be under the law, have you been listening to the law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23But the slave woman’s son was born according to the flesh, while the free woman’s son was born through promise. 24These things are an allegory, for these women are two covenants. 25Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother” (Galatians 4:21-26).

¶“27For it is written, 'Rejoice barren woman who does not bear. Break forth and shout, you who are not in labour. For the children of the desolate are more than those of the one who has a husband' ” (Galatians 4:27).

¶“28Now brethren you are like Isaac: children of promise. 29At that time the son born of the flesh persecuted the son born of the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30What does the scripture say? 'Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son shall not be an heir with the free woman’s son'. 31So, brethren, we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman” (Galatians 4:28-31).