BSB GAL Chapter 4

Sons and Heirs

[What] I am saying [is that] as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, [although] he is the owner of everything. 2 He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by [his] father.

3 

So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles[fn] of the world. 4 But when the time {had} fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under [the] law, 5 to redeem those under [the] law, that we might receive [our] adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out,“Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since [you are] a son, [you are] also an heir through God.

8 

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

Formerly, vvv when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God, or rather vvv are known by God, how [is it that] you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by [them] all over again? 10 You are observing [special] days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, [that] my efforts for you may have been in vain. 12 I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong

13 

You know that it was because of an illness [that] I first preached the gospel to you. 14 And [although] my [illness] [was a] trial to you, vvv you did not despise [or] reject [me]. Instead, you welcomed me as if [I were] an angel of God, as if [I were] Christ Jesus [Himself]. 15 What then [has become] of your blessing? For I can testify that, if [it were] possible, you would have torn out your eyes [and] given [them] to me. 16 vvv Have I now become your enemy [by] telling you the truth

17 

[Those people] are zealous for you [but] not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you [from us], so that you may be zealous for them. 18 Nevertheless, [it is] good to be zealous if it serves a noble [purpose] — at any time, and not only when I am vvv with you.

19 

My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 [how] I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.

21 

Hagar and Sarah

(Genesis 21:9–21)

Tell me, [you] who want to be under [the] law, vvv do you not understand [what] the law [says]? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and [the other] by the free [woman].[fn] 23 His [son] by the slave woman was born according to [the] flesh, [but] [his son] by the free [woman] [was born] through the promise.

24 

These [things] vvv serve as illustrations, for [the women] represent two covenants. One [covenant] [is] from Mount Sinai [and bears] children into slavery: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, [and she] is our mother. 27 For it is written:

“Rejoice, [O] barren woman,

who vvv bears no children;

break forth and cry aloud,

[you] who {have} never travailed;

because vvv more [are] the children of the desolate woman

than of her who has a husband.”[fn]

28 

Now you,[fn] brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time, however, the [son] born by [the] flesh persecuted the [son born] by [the] Spirit. vvv [It is] the same now.

30 

But what {does} the Scripture say?“Expel the slave woman and her son, for the vvv slave woman’s son vvv vvv will never share in the inheritance with the vvv free [woman’s] son.”[fn] 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of [the] slave woman, but of the free [woman].