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

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, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, (M)were enslaved to the elementary principles[c] of the world. But (N)when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, (O)born (P)of woman, born (Q)under the law, (R)to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive (S)adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent (T)the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then (U)an heir through God.

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 3:28 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
  2. Galatians 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verse 7
  3. Galatians 4:3 Or elemental spirits; also verse 9

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)

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God(F) through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ(G) have clothed yourselves with Christ.(H) 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,(I) nor is there male and female,(J) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.(K) 29 If you belong to Christ,(L) then you are Abraham’s seed,(M) and heirs(N) according to the promise.(O)

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. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery(P) under the elemental spiritual forces[b] of the world.(Q) But when the set time had fully come,(R) God sent his Son,(S) born of a woman,(T) born under the law,(U) to redeem(V) those under the law, that we might receive adoption(W) to sonship.[c](X) Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son(Y) into our hearts,(Z) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[d] Father.”(AA) So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.(AB)

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 3:23 Or through the faithfulness of Jesus … 23 Before faith came
  2. Galatians 4:3 Or under the basic principles
  3. Galatians 4:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.
  4. Galatians 4:6 Aramaic for Father