15 For you (A)have not received a spirit of slavery [a]leading to fear again, but you (B)have received [b]a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “(C)Abba! [c]Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself (D)testifies with our spirit that we are (E)children of God, 17 and if children, (F)heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, (G)if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (H)are not worthy to be compared with the (I)glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the (J)eagerly awaiting creation waits for (K)the revealing of the (L)sons and daughters of God. 20 For the creation (M)was subjected to (N)futility, not willingly, but (O)because of Him who subjected it, [d]in hope 21 that (P)the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation (Q)groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 (R)And not only that, but also we ourselves, having (S)the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves (T)groan within ourselves, (U)waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, (V)the redemption of our body.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:15 Lit for fear again
  2. Romans 8:15 Or the Spirit
  3. Romans 8:15 Gr translation of the Aramaic Abba provided by Paul
  4. Romans 8:20 Or in hope; because the creation

15 The Spirit(A) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;(B) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”(C) 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit(D) that we are God’s children.(E) 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs(F)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings(G) in order that we may also share in his glory.(H)

Present Suffering and Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.(I) 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God(J) to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,(K) in hope 21 that[c] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay(L) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.(M)

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning(N) as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,(O) groan(P) inwardly as we wait eagerly(Q) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.(R)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:15 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture; also in verse 23.
  2. Romans 8:15 Aramaic for father
  3. Romans 8:21 Or subjected it in hope. 21 For

(A)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in (B)the heavenly places in Christ, just as (C)He chose us in Him before (D)the foundation of the world, that we would be (E)holy and blameless before [a]Him. (F)In love [b]He (G)predestined us to (H)adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, (I)according to the good pleasure of His will,

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 1:4 Or Him, in love. He
  2. Ephesians 1:5 Lit having predestined

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,(A) who has blessed us in the heavenly realms(B) with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us(C) in him before the creation of the world(D) to be holy and blameless(E) in his sight. In love(F) he[a] predestined(G) us for adoption to sonship[b](H) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure(I) and will—

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 1:5 Or sight in love. He
  2. Ephesians 1:5 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.

26 For you are all (A)sons and daughters of God through faith in (B)Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were (C)baptized into Christ have (D)clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 (E)There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is [a]neither male nor female; for (F)you are all one in (G)Christ Jesus. 29 And if (H)you [b]belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s [c]descendants, heirs according to (I)promise.

Sonship in Christ

Now I say, as long as the heir is a [d]child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is [e]owner of everything, but he is under guardians and [f]managers until the [g]date set by the father. So we too, when we were children, were held (J)in bondage under the [h](K)elementary principles of the world. But when (L)the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, (M)born of a woman, born (N)under [i]the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under [j]the Law, that we might receive the adoption as (O)sons and daughters. Because you are sons, (P)God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “(Q)Abba! [k]Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and (R)if a son, then an heir [l]through God.

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 3:28 Lit not male and female
  2. Galatians 3:29 Lit are Christ’s
  3. Galatians 3:29 Lit seed
  4. Galatians 4:1 Or minor
  5. Galatians 4:1 Lit lord
  6. Galatians 4:2 Or stewards
  7. Galatians 4:2 I.e., when the child is no longer a minor
  8. Galatians 4:3 Or rudimentary teachings
  9. Galatians 4:4 Or law
  10. Galatians 4:5 Or law
  11. Galatians 4:6 I.e., Paul’s translation of the Aramaic Abba
  12. Galatians 4:7 I.e., through the gracious act of

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

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(K) under the elemental spiritual forces[a] of the world.(L) But when the set time had fully come,(M) God sent his Son,(N) born of a woman,(O) born under the law,(P) to redeem(Q) those under the law, that we might receive adoption(R) to sonship.[b](S) Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son(T) into our hearts,(U) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[c] Father.”(V) So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.(W)

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 4:3 Or under the basic principles
  2. 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.
  3. Galatians 4:6 Aramaic for Father