Galatians 3:23-4:20

English Standard Version

²³ Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, ^(A)imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. ²⁴ So then, ^(B)the law was our ^(C)guardian until Christ came, ^(D)in order that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, ²⁶ for in Christ Jesus ^(E)you are all sons of God, through faith. ²⁷ For as many of you as ^(F)were baptized ^(G)into Christ have ^(H)put on Christ. ^28 (I)There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave^[a] nor free, ^(J)there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And ^(K)if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, ^(L)heirs according to promise.

Sons and Heirs

4 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave,^[b] 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, ^(M)were enslaved to the elementary principles^[c] of the world. ⁴ But ^(N)when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, ^(O)born ^(P)of woman, born ^(Q)under the law, ^5 (R)to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive ^(S)adoption as sons. ⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent ^(T)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 ^(U)an heir through God.

Paul's Concern for the Galatians

⁸ Formerly, when you ^(V)did not know God, you ^(W)were enslaved to those that by nature ^(X)are not gods. ⁹ But now that you have come to know God, or rather ^(Y)to be known by God, ^(Z)how can you turn back again to ^(AA)the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? ^10 (AB)You observe days and months and seasons and years! ¹¹ I am afraid ^(AC)I may have labored over you in vain.

¹² Brothers,^{[d] (AD)}I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. ^(AE)You did me no wrong. ¹³ You know it was ^(AF)because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you ^(AG)at first, ¹⁴ and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me ^(AH)as an angel of God, ^(AI)as Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ What then has become of 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 ^(AJ)telling you the truth?^{[e] 17} They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. ¹⁸ It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and ^(AK)not only when I am present with you, ^19 (AL)my little children, ^(AM)for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ ^(AN)is formed in you! ²⁰ I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.