AICNT GAL chapter 4

4 I say, for as long a time as the heir is an infant, he is no different from a slave, though being lord of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.

3 In the same way, when we were infants, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world; 4 But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 In order to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into {our}[fn] hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an {heir through God}.[fn]

8 But at that time, not knowing God, you served those who by nature are not gods; 9 But now, having come to know God, or rather, being known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and poor elements, to which you want to be enslaved once more?

10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.

12 Become as I am, because I also am as you are, brothers, I beg of you. You have not wronged me; 13 But you know that because of a weakness of the flesh I preached the gospel to you the first time, 14 And you did not despise or reject the trial in my flesh, but you received me as an angel[fn] of God, as if I were Christ Jesus.

15 {Where then is}[fn] your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17 They are zealous for you, but not in a good way; they want to exclude you, so that you may be zealous for them.

18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My [[children]],[fn] for whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you; 20 And I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

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

24 Which things are allegorized; for these are two covenants, one indeed from Mount Sinai, giving birth to slavery, which is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, which is {our mother};[fn]

27 For it is written, “Rejoice, barren one who does not give birth; break forth and cry out, you who do not travail; because many are the children of the desolate, more than of her who has the husband.”[fn]

28 Now {you},[fn] brothers, like Isaac, are children of the promise. 29 But just as at that time the one born according to the flesh persecuted the one according to the Spirit, so also now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son; for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.”[fn]

31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

4:6, our: Later manuscripts read “your.” BYZ TR

4:7, heir through God: Later manuscripts read “heir of God through Christ.” BYZ TR

4:14, angel: That is, messenger. The Greek word can mean (1) a human messenger serving as an envoy, an envoy, one who is sent or (2) a transcendent power who carries out various missions or tasks, messenger, angel (BDAG, ἄγγελος).

4:15, Where then is: Later manuscripts read “What has become of.” BYZ TR

4:19, children: Later manuscripts read “little children.” BYZ TR

4:23, the: Later manuscripts add. BYZ TR

4:26, our mother: Later manuscripts read “the mother of us all.” BYZ TR

4:27, Isaiah 54:1 LXX

4:28, you: Later manuscripts read “we.” BYZ TR

4:30, Genesis 21:10

AICNT GAL Chapter 4