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^(A) that we might be justified by faith.^{(B) 25} Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.^(C)

³² For God has bound everyone over to disobedience^(A) so that he may have mercy on them all.

¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit,^(A) you are not under the law.^(B)

4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery^(A) under the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of the world.^{(B) 4} But when the set time had fully come,^(C) God sent his Son,^(D) born of a woman,^(E) born under the law,^{(F) 5} to redeem^(G) those under the law, that we might receive adoption^(H) to sonship.^[b](I)

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)

¹⁴ For sin shall no longer be your master,^(A) because you are not under the law,^(B) but under grace.^(C)

Slaves to Righteousness

¹⁵ What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?^(D) By no means!

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says,^(A) it says to those who are under the law,^(B) so that every mouth may be silenced^(C) and the whole world held accountable to God.^(D)

¹¹ trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ^(A) in them was pointing when he predicted^(B) the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. ¹² It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you,^(C) when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you^(D) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.^(E) Even angels long to look into these things.