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Galatians 4:1-7
New International Version
Galatians 4:1-7
New International Version
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) 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son(J) into our hearts,(K) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[c] Father.”(L) 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.(M)
Footnotes
- Galatians 4:3 Or under the basic principles
- 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.
- Galatians 4:6 Aramaic for Father
Galatians 4:1-7
New American Standard Bible
Galatians 4:1-7
New American Standard Bible
Sonship in Christ
4 Now I say, as long as the heir is a [a]child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is [b]owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and [c]managers until the [d]date set by the father. 3 So we too, when we were children, were held (A)in bondage under the [e](B)elementary principles of the world. 4 But when (C)the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, (D)born of a woman, born (E)under [f]the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under [g]the Law, that we might receive the adoption as (F)sons and daughters. 6 Because you are sons, (G)God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “(H)Abba! [h]Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and (I)if a son, then an heir [i]through God.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Galatians 4:1 Or minor
- Galatians 4:1 Lit lord
- Galatians 4:2 Or stewards
- Galatians 4:2 I.e., when the child is no longer a minor
- Galatians 4:3 Or rudimentary teachings
- Galatians 4:4 Or law
- Galatians 4:5 Or law
- Galatians 4:6 I.e., Paul’s translation of the Aramaic Abba
- Galatians 4:7 I.e., through the gracious act of
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.