Galatians 4:1-7

Expanded Bible

4 ·I want to tell you this [or This is what I mean; ^LI am saying]: While those who will inherit their fathers’ property are still children, they are no different from slaves. It does not matter that the children ·own everything [or are masters/lords over the whole estate]. ² They must obey ·those chosen to care for them [^Ltheir guardians and administrators/trustees] until the time set by their father. ³ It is the same for us. We were once like children, slaves to the ·useless rules [or spiritual forces; or elementary principles/powers] of this world. ⁴ But when the ·right [appropriate; or appointed; ^Lfullness of] time came, God sent his Son who was born of a woman and ·lived [^Lborn] under the law. ⁵ God did this so he could ·buy freedom for [redeem] those who were under the law and so we could ·become his children [or receive adoption as heirs; ^Ca Roman legal term for adopting an heir to carry on one’s name].

⁶ Since you are God’s ·children [or sons], God sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and the Spirit cries out, “Abba [^CAramaic for “Father,” a term of intimacy], Father.” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave; you are God’s ·child [or son], and ·because you are his child, God will give you the blessing he promised [^Lif a son/child, then also an heir through God].