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Gálatas 4
Dios Habla Hoy

Ya no somos esclavos sino hijos

4 Lo que quiero decir es esto: Mientras el heredero es menor de edad, en nada se diferencia de un esclavo de la familia, aunque sea en realidad el dueño de todo. 2 Hay personas que lo cuidan y que se encargan de sus asuntos, hasta el tiempo que su padre haya señalado. 3 Lo mismo pasa con nosotros: cuando éramos menores de edad, estábamos sometidos a los poderes que dominan este mundo. 4 Pero cuando se cumplió el tiempo, Dios envió a su Hijo, que nació de una mujer, sometido a la ley de Moisés, 5 para rescatarnos a los que estábamos bajo esa ley y concedernos gozar de los derechos de hijos de Dios. 6 Y porque ya somos sus hijos, Dios mandó el Espíritu de su Hijo a nuestros corazones; y el Espíritu clama: «¡Abbá! ¡Padre!» 7 Así pues, tú ya no eres esclavo, sino hijo de Dios; y por ser hijo suyo, es voluntad de Dios que seas también su heredero.

8 Antes, cuando ustedes no conocían a Dios, eran esclavos de seres que en realidad no son dioses. 9 Pero ahora que ustedes han conocido a Dios, o mejor dicho, ahora que Dios los ha conocido a ustedes, ¿cómo es posible que vuelvan a someterse a esos débiles y pobres poderes, y a hacerse sus esclavos? 10 Ustedes celebran ciertos días, meses, fechas y años... 11 ¡Mucho me temo que mi trabajo entre ustedes no haya servido de nada!

Recuerdos personales

12 Hermanos, les ruego: sean como yo, porque yo me he vuelto como ustedes. No es que me hayan causado ustedes ningún daño. 13 Como ya saben, cuando primero les prediqué el evangelio lo hice debido a una enfermedad que sufría. 14 Y esa enfermedad fue una prueba para ustedes, que no me despreciaron ni me rechazaron a causa de ella, sino que, al contrario, me recibieron como a un ángel de Dios, ¡como si se tratara del mismo Cristo Jesús! 15 ¿Qué pasó con aquella alegría que sentían? Puedo decir en favor de ustedes que, de haberles sido posible, hasta se habrían sacado los ojos para dármelos a mí. 16 Y ahora, ¿acaso me he vuelto enemigo de ustedes, solamente porque les he dicho la verdad?

17 Esa gente tiene mucho interés en ustedes, pero no son buenas sus intenciones. Lo que quieren es apartarlos de nosotros, para que luego ustedes se interesen por ellos. 18 Claro que es bueno interesarse por los demás, pero con buenas intenciones; y que sea siempre, y no solamente cuando estoy entre ustedes. 19 Hijos míos, otra vez sufro dolores de parto, hasta que Cristo se forme en ustedes. 20 ¡Ojalá estuviera yo ahí ahora mismo para hablarles de otra manera, pues no sé qué pensar de ustedes!

Lo que simbolizan Agar y Sara

21 Díganme una cosa, ustedes, los que quieren someterse a la ley: ¿Acaso no han escuchado lo que la ley dice? 22 Pues dice que Abraham tuvo dos hijos: uno de una esclava, y el otro de su propia esposa, que era libre. 23 El hijo de la esclava nació de modo puramente humano; pero el hijo de la libre nació para que se cumpliera lo que Dios había prometido. 24 Esto tiene un sentido simbólico; las dos mujeres representan dos alianzas: una es la del monte Sinaí, y está representada por Agar, que fue la madre del que habría de ser esclavo. 25 Pues Agar representa el monte Sinaí, en Arabia, que corresponde a la actual Jerusalén, ya que esta ciudad está sometida a esclavitud junto con sus hijos. 26 Pero la Jerusalén celestial es libre, y nosotros somos hijos suyos. 27 Porque la Escritura dice:

«Alégrate, mujer estéril, tú que no tienes hijos;
grita de alegría, tú que no conoces los dolores de parto.
Porque la mujer que fue abandonada tendrá más hijos
que la mujer que tiene esposo.»

28 Hermanos, ustedes son como Isaac: son los hijos que Dios había prometido. 29 Pero así como en aquel tiempo el hijo que nació de modo puramente humano perseguía al hijo que nació por obra del Espíritu, así sucede también ahora. 30 Pero ¿qué dice la Escritura? Pues dice: «Echa fuera a la esclava y a su hijo, porque el hijo de la esclava no puede compartir la herencia con el hijo de la libre.» 31 De manera, hermanos, que no somos hijos de la esclava, sino de la libre.

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Gálatas 4
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4 En otras palabras, mientras el heredero es menor de edad, en nada se diferencia de un esclavo, a pesar de ser dueño de todo. 2 Al contrario, está bajo el cuidado de tutores y administradores hasta la fecha fijada por su padre. 3 Así también nosotros, cuando éramos menores, estábamos esclavizados por los principios[a] de este mundo. 4 Pero cuando se cumplió el plazo,[b] Dios envió a su Hijo, nacido de una mujer, nacido bajo la Ley, 5 para rescatar a los que estaban bajo la Ley, a fin de que fuéramos adoptados como hijos. 6 Ustedes ya son hijos. Dios ha enviado a nuestros corazones el Espíritu de su Hijo, que clama: «¡Abba! ¡Padre!». 7 Así que ya no eres esclavo, sino hijo; y como eres hijo, Dios te ha hecho también heredero.

Preocupación de Pablo por los gálatas

8 Antes, cuando no conocían a Dios, ustedes eran esclavos de los que en realidad no son dioses. 9 Pero ahora que conocen a Dios —o más bien que Dios los conoce a ustedes—, ¿cómo es que quieren regresar a esos principios ineficaces y sin valor? ¿Quieren volver a ser esclavos de ellos? 10 ¡Ustedes siguen guardando los días, los meses, las estaciones y los años! 11 Temo por ustedes, que tal vez me haya estado esforzando en vano.

12 Hermanos, yo me he identificado con ustedes. Les suplico que ahora se identifiquen conmigo. No es que me hayan ofendido en algo. 13 Como bien saben, la primera vez que les prediqué acerca de las buenas noticias fue debido a una enfermedad 14 y, aunque esta fue una prueba para ustedes, no me trataron con desprecio ni desdén. Al contrario, me recibieron como a un ángel de Dios, como si se tratara de Cristo Jesús. 15 Pues bien, ¿qué pasó con todo ese entusiasmo? Me consta que de haberles sido posible se habrían sacado los ojos para dármelos. 16 ¡Y ahora resulta que por decirles la verdad me he vuelto su enemigo!

17 Esos que muestran mucho interés por ganárselos a ustedes no abrigan buenas intenciones. Lo que quieren es alejarlos de nosotros para que se entreguen a ellos. 18 Está bien mostrar interés, con tal de que ese interés sea bien intencionado y constante, y que no se manifieste solo cuando yo estoy con ustedes. 19 Queridos hijos, por quienes vuelvo a sufrir dolores de parto hasta que Cristo sea formado en ustedes, 20 ¡cómo quisiera estar ahora con ustedes y hablarles de otra manera, porque lo que están haciendo me tiene perplejo!

Agar y Sara

21 Díganme, los que quieren estar bajo la Ley, ¿por qué no prestan atención a lo que la Ley misma dice? 22 ¿Acaso no está escrito que Abraham tuvo dos hijos, uno de la esclava y otro de la libre? 23 El de la esclava nació por decisión humana, pero el de la libre nació en cumplimiento de una promesa.

24 Ese relato puede interpretarse en sentido figurado: estas mujeres representan dos pactos. Uno, que es Agar, procede del monte Sinaí y tiene hijos que nacen para ser esclavos. 25 Agar representa el monte Sinaí en Arabia y corresponde a la actual ciudad de Jerusalén, porque junto con sus hijos vive en esclavitud. 26 Pero la Jerusalén celestial es libre y esa es nuestra madre. 27 Porque está escrito:

«Tú, mujer estéril, que nunca has dado a luz,
    ¡grita de alegría!
Tú, que nunca tuviste dolores de parto,
    ¡prorrumpe en gritos de júbilo!
Porque más hijos que la casada
    tendrá la desamparada».[c]

28 Ustedes, hermanos, al igual que Isaac, son hijos por la promesa. 29 Y así como en aquel tiempo el hijo nacido por decisión humana persiguió al hijo nacido por el Espíritu, así también sucede ahora. 30 Pero ¿qué dice la Escritura? «¡Echa de aquí a la esclava y a su hijo! El hijo de la esclava jamás tendrá parte en la herencia con el hijo de la libre».[d] 31 Así que, hermanos, no somos hijos de la esclava, sino de la libre.

Footnotes

  1. 4:3 los principios. Alt. los poderes espirituales, o las normas; también en v. 9.
  2. 4:4 se cumplió el plazo. Lit. vino la plenitud del tiempo.
  3. 4:27 Is 54:1.
  4. 4:30 Gn 21:10.
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Galatians 4
1599 Geneva Bible

4 1 Being delivered from the bondage of the Law, 4 by Christ’s coming, who is the end thereof, 9 it is very absurd to slide back to beggarly ceremonies: 13 He calleth them again therefore to the purity of the doctrine of the Gospel, 21 confirming his discourse with a fine allegory.

1 Then [a]I say, that the heir as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of all,

2 But is under tutors and governors, [b]until the time appointed of the Father.

3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the [c]rudiments of the world.

4 [d]But when the [e]fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son made of a [f]woman, and made under the Law,

5 That he might redeem them which were under the Law, that we (A)might receive the [g]adoption of the sons.

6 [h]And because ye are sons, God hath [i]sent forth the [j]Spirit of his Son into your hearts, which crieth, Abba, Father.

7 Wherefore, thou art no more a [k]servant, but a son: now if thou be a son, thou art also the [l]heir of God through Christ.

8 [m]But even then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them, which by nature are not gods:

9 But now seeing ye know God, yea, rather are known of God, how turn ye again unto impotent and [n]beggarly rudiments, whereunto as from the beginning ye will be in bondage [o]again?

10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

11 I am in fear of you, lest I have bestowed on you labor in vain.

12 [p]Be ye as I (for I am even as you) brethren, I beseech you: ye have not hurt me at all.

13 And ye know, how through [q]infirmity of the flesh, I preached the Gospel unto you at the first.

14 And the [r]trial of me which was in my flesh, ye despised not, neither abhorred: but ye received me as an Angel of God, yea, as [s]Christ Jesus.

15 [t]What was then your felicity? for I bear you record, that if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them unto me.

16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

17 They are jealous over you [u]amiss: yea, they would exclude you, [v]that ye should altogether love them.

18 But it is a good thing to love [w]earnestly always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you,

19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you.

20 And I would I were with you now, that I might [x]change my voice: for I am in doubt of you.

21 [y]Tell me, ye that [z]will be under the Law, do ye not hear the Law?

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, (B)one by a servant, and (C)one by a free woman.

23 But he which was of the servant, was born after the [aa]flesh: and he which was of the free woman, was born by [ab]promise.

24 By the which things another thing is meant: for [ac]these mothers are the [ad]two Testaments, the one which is Hagar of mount [ae]Sinai, which gendereth unto bondage.

25 (For Hagar or Sinai is a mountain in Arabia, and it [af]answered to Jerusalem which now is) and [ag]she is in bondage with her children.

26 But Jerusalem, which is [ah]above, is free: which is the mother of us all.

27 [ai]For it is written, (D)Rejoice thou barren that bearest no children: break forth, and cry, thou that travailest not: for the [aj]desolate hath many more children, than she which hath an husband.

28 (E)Therefore, brethren, we are after the [ak]manner of Isaac, children of the [al]promise.

29 But as then he that was born after the [am]flesh, persecuted him that was born after the [an]Spirit, even so it is now.

30 But what saith the Scripture? (F)Put out the servant and her son: for the son of the servant shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.

31 [ao]Then brethren, we are not children of the servant, but of the free woman.

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 4:1 He declareth that by another double similitude, which he said before concerning the keeper and schoolmaster. For he saith, that the Law, (that is, the whole government of God’s house according to the Law) was as it were a tutor or overseer appointed for a time, until such time as that protection and overseeing which was but for a time, being ended, we should at length come to be at our own liberty, and should live as children, and not as servants. Moreover, he showeth by the way, that that governance of the Law, was as it were an ABC, and as certain principles in comparison of the doctrine of the Gospel.
  2. Galatians 4:2 This is added, because he that is always under a tutor or governor, may hardly be counted a freeman.
  3. Galatians 4:3 The Law is called rudiments, because that by the Law God instructed his Church as it were by rudiments, and afterward poured out his holy Spirit most plentifully in the time of the Gospel.
  4. Galatians 4:4 He uttereth and declareth many things at once, to wit, that this tutorship was ended at his time, that curious men may leave to ask, why that schoolmastership lasted so long. And moreover, that we are not sons by nature, but by adoption, and that in that Son of God, who therefore took upon him our flesh, that we might be made his brethren.
  5. Galatians 4:4 The time is said to be full, when all parts of it are past and ended, and therefore Christ could not have come either sooner or later.
  6. Galatians 4:4 He calleth Mary a woman, in respect of the sex, and not as the word is used in a contrary sense to a virgin still.
  7. Galatians 4:5 The adoption of the sons of God, is from everlasting, but is revealed and showed in the time appointed for it.
  8. Galatians 4:6 He showeth that we are in such sort free and set at liberty, that in the mean season we must be governed by the Spirit of Christ, which reigning in our hearts, may teach us the true service of the Father. But this is not to serve, but rather to enjoy true liberality, as it cometh sons and heirs.
  9. Galatians 4:6 By that that followeth he gathereth that that went before: for if we have his spirit, we are his sons, and if we are his sons, then are we free.
  10. Galatians 4:6 The holy Ghost, who is both of the Father and of the Son: but there is a peculiar reason why he is called the Spirit of the Son, to wit, because the holy Ghost sealeth up our adoption in Christ, and maketh us a full assurance of it.
  11. Galatians 4:7 The word, servant, is not taken here for one that liveth in sin, which is proper to the infidels, but for one that is yet under the ceremonies of the Law, which is proper to the Jews.
  12. Galatians 4:7 Partaker of this blessing.
  13. Galatians 4:8 He applieth the former doctrine to the Galatians, with a peculiar reprehension: for in comparison of them, the Jews might have pretended some excuse as men that were born and brought up in that service of the Law. But seeing the Galatians were taken and called out of idolatry to Christian liberty: what pretence might they have to go back to those impotent and beggarly rudiments?
  14. Galatians 4:9 They are called impotent and beggarly ceremonies, being considered apart by themselves without Christ: and again, for that by that means they gave good testimony that they were beggars in Christ, when as notwithstanding, for men, to fall back from Christ to ceremonies, is nothing else, but to cast away riches, and to follow beggarly.
  15. Galatians 4:9 By going backward.
  16. Galatians 4:12 He mitigateth and qualifieth those things wherein he might have seemed to have spoken somewhat sharply, very artificially and divinely, declaring his good will towards them in such sort, that the Galatians could not but either be utterly desperate when they read these things, or acknowledge their own lightness with tears, and desire pardon.
  17. Galatians 4:13 Many afflictions.
  18. Galatians 4:14 Those daily troubles wherewith the Lord tried me amongst you.
  19. Galatians 4:14 For my ministry’s sake.
  20. Galatians 4:15 What a talk was there abroad in the world amongst men, how happy you were?
  21. Galatians 4:17 For they are jealous over you for their own commodity.
  22. Galatians 4:17 That they may convey all your love from me to themselves.
  23. Galatians 4:18 He setteth his own true and good love, which he earnestly bent towards them, against the naughty vicious love of the false apostles.
  24. Galatians 4:20 Use other words among you.
  25. Galatians 4:21 Because the false apostles always urged this, that unless the Gentiles were circumcised, Christ could profit them nothing at all, and this dissension of them which believed of the circumcision against them which believed of the uncircumcision, was full of offense: the Apostle, after divers arguments whereby he hath refuted their error, bringeth forth an allegory, wherein he saith the holy Ghost did shadow not unto us, all these mysteries: to wit, that it should come to pass, that two sorts of sons should have Abraham a father common to them both, but not with like success: for as Abraham begat Ishmael, by the common course of nature, of Hagar his bondmaid and a stranger, and begat Isaac of Sarah a free woman by the virtue of the promise and by grace only, and the first was not only not heir, but also persecuted the heir: So there are two covenants, and as it were two sons born to Abraham of those two covenants, as it were of two mothers. The one was made in Sinai, without the land of promise according to which covenant Abraham’s children according to the flesh were begotten: to wit, the Jews which seek righteousness by that covenant, that is, by the Law: but they are not heirs, nay they shall at length be cast out of the house, as they that persecute the true heirs. The other was made in that high Jerusalem or in Zion (to wit, by the sacrifice of Christ) which begetteth children of promise, to wit, believers by the virtue of the holy Ghost which children (as Abraham) do rest themselves in the free promise, and they only by the right of children shall be partakers of the father’s inheritance, and those servants shall be shut out.
  26. Galatians 4:21 That desire so greatly.
  27. Galatians 4:23 As all men are, and by the common course of nature.
  28. Galatians 4:23 By virtue of the promise, which Abraham laid hold on for himself and his true seed, for otherwise Abraham and Sarah were past begetting and bearing children.
  29. Galatians 4:24 These do represent and shadow forth.
  30. Galatians 4:24 They are called two covenants, one of the old Testament, and another of the New: which were not two indeed, but in respect of the times, and the diversity of the government.
  31. Galatians 4:24 He maketh mention of Sinai, because that covenant was made in that mountain, of which mountain Hagar was a shadow.
  32. Galatians 4:25 Look how the case standeth betwixt Hagar and her children, even so standeth it between Jerusalem and hers.
  33. Galatians 4:25 That is, Sinai.
  34. Galatians 4:26 Which is excellent, and of great account.
  35. Galatians 4:27 He showeth that in this allegory, he hath followed the steps of Isaiah, who foretold that the Church should be made and consist of the children of barren Sarah, that is to say, of them which only spiritually should be made Ahraham’s children by faith, rather than of fruitful Hagar, even then foreshowing the casting off of the Jews, and calling of the Gentiles.
  36. Galatians 4:27 She that is destroyed and wasted.
  37. Galatians 4:28 After the manner of Isaac who is the first begotten of the heavenly Jerusalem, as Israel is of the slavish Synagogue.
  38. Galatians 4:28 That seed, unto which the promise belongeth.
  39. Galatians 4:29 By the common course of nature.
  40. Galatians 4:29 By the virtue of God’s promise and after a spiritual manner.
  41. Galatians 4:31 The conclusion of the former allegory, that we by no means procure and call back again the slavery of the Law, seeing that the children of the bondmaid shall not be heirs.
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Galatians 4
New Life Version

Sons of God

4 Let me say this another way. A young child who will get all the riches of his family is not different from a servant who is owned by the family. And yet the young child owns everything. 2 While he is young, he is cared for by men his father trusts. These men tell the child what he can and cannot do. The child cannot do what he wants to do until he has become a certain age. 3 We were as children also held by the Law. We obeyed the Law in our religious worship. 4 But at the right time, God sent His Son. A woman gave birth to Him under the Law. 5 This all happened so He could buy with His blood and make free all those who were held by the Law. Then we might become the sons of God. 6 Because you are the sons of God, He has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. The Spirit cries, “Father!” 7 So now you are no longer a servant who is owned by someone. You are a son. If you are a son, then you will receive what God has promised through Christ.

8 During the time when you did not know God, you worshiped false gods. 9 But now that you know God, or should I say that you are known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak old Law? Why do you want to do those religious acts of worship that will keep you from being free? Why do you want to be held under the power of the Law again? 10 You do special things on certain days and months and years and times of the year. 11 I am afraid my work with you was wasted.

Living by the Law or Being Free

12 I ask you, Christian brothers, stay free from the Law as I am. Even if I am a Jew, I became free from the Law, just as you who are not Jews. You did no wrong to me. 13 You know I preached the Good News to you the first time because of my sickness. 14 Even though I was hard to look at because of my sickness, you did not turn away from me. You took me in as an angel from God. You took me in as you would have taken in Christ Jesus Himself. 15 What has become of the happiness you once had? You would have taken out your own eyes if you could have and given them to me. 16 Do you hate me because I have told you the truth? 17 Those false teachers are trying to turn your eyes toward them. They do not want you to follow my teaching. What they are doing is not good. 18 It is good when people help you if they do not hope to get something from it. They should help you all the time, not only when I am with you. 19 My children, I am suffering birth pain for you again. I will suffer until Christ’s life is in your life. 20 I wish I could be with you now. I wish I could speak to you in a more gentle voice, but I am troubled about you.

21 Listen! If you want to be under the Law, why do you not listen to what it says? 22 The Holy Writings say that Abraham had two sons. One was born from a woman servant (Hagar) who was owned by someone. She had to do what she was told. The other son was born from a woman (Sarah) who was free to work and live as she desired. (A) 23 The son born from the woman servant who was owned by someone was like any other birth. The son born from the free woman was different. That son had been promised by God. 24 Think of it like this: These two women show God’s two ways of working with His people. The children born from Hagar are under the Law given on Mount Sinai. They will be servants who are owned by someone and will always be told what to do! 25 Hagar is known as Mount Sinai in the country of Arabia. She is as Jerusalem is today, because she and her children are not free to do what they want to do. 26 But the Jerusalem of heaven is the free woman, and she is our mother. 27 The Holy Writings say, “Woman, be happy, you who have had no children. Cry for joy, you who have never had the pains of having a child, for you will have many children. Yes, you will have more children than the one who has a husband.” (B) 28 Christian brothers, we are like Isaac. We are the children God promised. 29 At that time the son born as other children are born made it hard for the son born by the Holy Spirit. It is the same way now. 30 But what do the Holy Writings say? They say, “Put the woman servant who is owned by someone and her son out of your home. The son of that woman servant will never get any of the riches of the family. It will all be given to the son of the free woman.” (C) 31 Christian brothers, we are not children of the woman servant who was owned by someone (Hagar). We are children of the free woman (Sarah).

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