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But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father. So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children. And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba,[a] Father!” So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:6 Abba is a Greek spelling for the Aramaic word for “Father” or “Daddy” used in a familiar, respectful, and loving way.

Sonship in Christ

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, but he is under guardians and [c]managers until the [d]date set by the father. So we too, when we were children, were held (A)in bondage under the [e](B)elementary principles of the world. But when (C)the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, (D)born of a woman, born (E)under [f]the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under [g]the Law, that we might receive the adoption as (F)sons and daughters. Because you are sons, (G)God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “(H)Abba! [h]Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and (I)if a son, then an heir [i]through God.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 4:1 Or minor
  2. Galatians 4:1 Lit lord
  3. Galatians 4:2 Or stewards
  4. Galatians 4:2 I.e., when the child is no longer a minor
  5. Galatians 4:3 Or rudimentary teachings
  6. Galatians 4:4 Or law
  7. Galatians 4:5 Or law
  8. Galatians 4:6 I.e., Paul’s translation of the Aramaic Abba
  9. Galatians 4:7 I.e., through the gracious act of