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So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental principles[a] of the world.(A)

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  1. 4.3 Or spirits

So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery(A) under the elemental spiritual forces[a] of the world.(B)

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  1. Galatians 4:3 Or under the basic principles

Warnings against False Teachers

20 If with Christ you died to the elemental principles[a] of the world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations,(A)

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  1. 2.20 Or spirits

20 Since you died with Christ(A) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,(B) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:(C)

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Watch out that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental principles[a] of the world, and not according to Christ.(A)

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  1. 2.8 Or spirits

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,(A) which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world(B) rather than on Christ.

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  1. Colossians 2:8 Or the basic principles; also in verse 20

Now, however, that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental principles?[a] How can you want to be enslaved to them again?(A)

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  1. 4.9 Or spirits

But now that you know God—or rather are known by God(A)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces[a]? Do you wish to be enslaved(B) by them all over again?(C)

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  1. Galatians 4:9 Or principles

But because of false brothers and sisters secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us(A)

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This matter arose because some false believers(A) had infiltrated our ranks to spy on(B) the freedom(C) we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.

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10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?(A)

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10 Now then, why do you try to test God(A) by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke(B) that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?

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31 So then, brothers and sisters, we are children, not of an enslaved woman but of the free woman. For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.(A)

31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman,(A) but of the free woman.(B)

Freedom in Christ

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.(C) Stand firm,(D) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.(E)

16 one who has become a priest, not through a legal requirement concerning physical descent but through the power of an indestructible life.(A)

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16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.

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25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia[a] and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.

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  1. 4.25 Other ancient authorities read For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia

25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.

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23 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be reckoned as righteous[a] by faith.(A) 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian,

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  1. 3.24 Or be justified

Children of God

23 Before the coming of this faith,[a] we were held in custody(A) under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.(B) 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came(C) that we might be justified by faith.(D) 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.(E)

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  1. Galatians 3:23 Or through the faithfulness of Jesus … 23 Before faith came

15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba![a] Father!”(A)

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  1. 8.15 Aramaic for Father

15 The Spirit(A) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;(B) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”(C)

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  1. Romans 8:15 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture; also in verse 23.
  2. Romans 8:15 Aramaic for father

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.(A)

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28 “Come to me,(A) all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.(B)

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The Purpose of the Law

19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring[a] would come to whom the promise had been made, and it was ordained through angels by a mediator.(A)

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  1. 3.19 Gk seed

19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions(A) until the Seed(B) to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels(C) and entrusted to a mediator.(D)

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