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Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)
OET (OET-RV) [ref]so that he could buy back those enslaved under the law and they could now be adopted as children with an inheritance.
OET-LV in_order_that he_may_redeem the ones under the_law, in_order_that we_may_take_back the adoption_as_sons.
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SR-GNT ἵνα τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ, ἵνα τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν. ‡
(hina tous hupo nomon exagorasaʸ, hina taʸn huiothesian apolabōmen.)
Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).
ULT in order that he might redeem the ones under the law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.
UST God sent Jesus to rescue us who had to obey God’s laws he gave to Moses from being condemned for not obeying these laws. God did this so that we might all receive from him the status of being his children.
BSB to redeem those under [the] law, that we might receive [our] adoption as sons.
MSB (Same as BSB above)
BLB that He might redeem those under the Law, so that we might receive the divine adoption as sons.
AICNT In order to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.
OEB to ransom those who were subject to Law, so that we might take our position as sons.
WEBBE that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children.
WMBB (Same as above)
NET to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights.
LSV that He may redeem those under law, that we may receive the adoption as sons;
FBV so that he could rescue those who were kept under the rule of law, so that we could receive the inheritance of adopted children.
TCNT to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
T4T God sent Jesus in order that he might redeem us who had to obey God’s laws. God wanted us all to receive from God the status of being his children [MET].
LEB in order that he might redeem those under the law, in order that we might receive the adoption.
BBE That he might make them free who were under the law, and that we might be given the place of sons.
Moff to ransom those who were under the Law, that we might get our sonship.
Wymth in order to purchase the freedom of all who were subject to Law, so that we might receive recognition as sons.
ASV that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
DRA That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons.
YLT that those under law he may redeem, that the adoption of sons we may receive;
Drby that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive sonship.
RV that he might redeem them which were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
SLT That he might redeem them under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Wbstr To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
KJB-1769 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
KJB-1611 To redeeme them that were vnder the Law, that we might receiue the adoption of sonnes.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation)
Bshps To redeeme them that were vnder the lawe, that we myght receaue the adoption of chyldren.
(To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.)
Gnva That hee might redeeme them which were vnder the Law, that we might receiue the adoption of the sonnes.
(That he might redeem them which were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of the sons. )
Cvdl to redeme them which were vnder the lawe, that we mighte receaue ye childshippe.
(to redeem them which were under the law, that we might receive ye/you_all childshippe.)
TNT to redeme the which were vnder the lawe: that we thorow eleccion myght receave the inheritaunce that belongeth vnto the naturall sonnes.
(to redeem the which were under the law: that we through eleccion might receive the inheritance that belongeth/belongs unto the natural sons. )
Wycl maad of a womman, maad vndur the lawe, that he schulde ayenbie hem that weren vndur the lawe, that we schulden vnderfonge the adopcioun of sones.
(made of a woman, made under the law, that he should ayenbie hem that were under the law, that we should underfonge the adopcioun of sons.)
Luth auf daß er die, so unter dem Gesetz waren, erlösete, daß wir die Kindschaft empfingen.
(on/in/to that he that, so under to_him law were, redeemed, that we/us the childschaft received.)
ClVg ut eos, qui sub lege erant, redimeret, ut adoptionem filiorum reciperemus.
(as them, who/which under lawfully they_were, to_redeemt, as adoptionem of_children to_receivemus. )
UGNT ἵνα τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ, ἵνα τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν.
(hina tous hupo nomon exagorasaʸ, hina taʸn huiothesian apolabōmen.)
SBL-GNT ἵνα τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ, ἵνα τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν.
(hina tous hupo nomon exagorasaʸ, hina taʸn huiothesian apolabōmen.)
RP-GNT ἵνα τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ, ἵνα τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν.
(hina tous hupo nomon exagorasaʸ, hina taʸn huiothesian apolabōmen.)
TC-GNT ἵνα τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ, ἵνα τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν.
(hina tous hupo nomon exagorasaʸ, hina taʸn huiothesian apolabōmen. )
4:1-7 Paul supports his argument that the law’s purpose for God’s children was fulfilled when Christ came, so that we are no longer bound by it.
In the previous section, Paul talked about people from a Jewish background. In this section, he returned to focus on the non-Jews whom he had talked about earlier.
This section has two parts. In the first one (3:26 to 3:29), Paul reminded the non-Jewish Christians in Galatia that they had become children of God through faith. When people become children of God, there is no longer a difference between Jew or non-Jew, male or female, slave or free. He further pointed out that once people have become children of God, they are entitled to all the blessings of the new life in Christ.
In the second part (4:1 to 4:7), Paul compared the time under the law to a time of slavery. But when Christ came, he freed people from slavery. The time under the law ended. So believers in Jesus Christ are God’s sons. They are not slaves to the law. It is no longer necessary to follow the law.
Some other examples for a heading for this section are:
By faith we are sons of God and are rescued from the law
You are not slaves but children of God
No longer prisoners to the law but sons
In this paragraph, Paul further explained that the period of the law was temporary. He compared the period under the law to a period of slavery. When Christ came, he redeemed the people who were in slavery. They are no longer slaves. Instead, they are now adopted as God’s sons and are his heirs. The time of the law is over.
to redeem those under the law,
He came to release/free those who were under the authority of the law
God sent him to pay for the freedom of us(incl) who were slaves to the law
to redeem those under the law: This clause states God’s purpose for sending his Son to earth. He sent his Son (4:4b)…in order to redeem all his children from the authority of the law (4:5a).
It may be helpful in your language to begin a new sentence here and restate that God sent Jesus, so that it will be clear that this clause expresses God’s purpose in doing that. Some ways to translate this clause are:
His Son came to redeem those who were under the authority/control of the law
God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law (NLT)
He send his Son as a human being under the law in order to redeem the people who followed/obeyed the law
to redeem: The Greek word that the BSB translates as redeem means “release a prisoner or slave by paying the price (a ransom) necessary to free him.” The price that Christ had to pay to release us was to die on the cross for us. God’s Son freed us from slavery to the law.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
buy freedom (NLT)
pay for the freedom (GW)
to release/free by becoming a sacrifice
This same word occurs in 3:13a. See also redeem in the Glossary.
those under the law: This clause refers to being under the authority or control of the law. This clause certainly refers to Jews who were required to obey the many commandments in the law of Moses. This clause may also refer to Gentiles, who also lived under certain religious laws. These laws were like their master. They were like slaves to the law.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
those who were controlled by these laws (GW)
us who were slaves to the law (NLT)
that we might receive our adoption as sons.
so that we(incl) might be adopted as sons.
in order that he/God might make us(incl) his children.
that we might receive our adoption as sons: This clause states the purpose for which Christ redeemed us. He redeemed us (4:5a) so that we might receive our adoption as sons of God (4:5b).
The phrase adoption as sons refers to the fact that God adopts us as his sons/children. We, as believers, receive all the benefits and rights of children of God. We are counted as heirs. We are no longer slaves.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
so that we would be adopted as his children (GW)
so that he could adopt us as his very own children (NLT)
Christ redeemed us so that we would become God’s children.
our adoption as sons: The Greek word that the BSB translates as our adoption as sons means that God makes us his spiritual children. The word does not exclude women, so it is better to translate sons as “children.”
Some other ways to translate this word are:
we might become God’s children (GNT)
made/considered God’s children
counted as God’s children
Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal
ἵνα
in_order_that
The phrase in order that introduces a purpose clause. Paul is stating the purpose for which God sent forth his Son. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: [so that] or [with the purpose that]
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
ἐξαγοράσῃ
˱he˲_˓may˒_redeem
With the word redeem, Paul uses the metaphor of a person buying back lost property or buying the freedom of a slave as a picture of God sending Jesus to pay the price for people’s sins by dying on the cross. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning plainly.
Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal
(Occurrence 2) ἵνα
in_order_that
The phrase so that introduces a purpose clause. Paul is stating the purpose for which God redeemed the ones under the law, which was so that God could adopt them as his spiritual sons and daughters. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: [in order that] or [with the purpose that]
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
ὑπὸ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἵνα τούς ὑπό νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ ἵνα τήν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν)
See how you translated the word under in [3:23](../03/23.md) where it is used with the same meaning.
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἵνα τούς ὑπό νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ ἵνα τήν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν)
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who did the action, Paul implies that “God” did it. Alternate translation: [God might adopt us as his sons]
Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive
ἀπολάβωμεν
˱we˲_˓may˒_take_back
The word we could refer to: (1) all Christians, both Jews and non-Jews, in which case we would be inclusive. Your language may require you to mark these forms. (2) Jewish Christians only, in which case we would be exclusive.
Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἵνα τούς ὑπό νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ ἵνα τήν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν)
Paul speaks of God giving people a close personal relationship with himself and giving them special rights and privileges as if it were adoption. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning plainly.
Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
υἱοθεσίαν
adoption_as_sons
Paul speaks of those who believe in Jesus as if God were their biological, physical father. He means that these people have a father-son relationship with God because they trust in Jesus. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. See how you translated the word sons in [3:26](../03/26.md) where it is used with the same meaning. Alternate translation: [the spiritual children of God]
Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations
υἱοθεσίαν
adoption_as_sons
Although the term sons is masculine, Paul is using the word here in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: [adoption as children] or [adoption as God’s children]