1 Sonship in Christ Now I say, as long as the heir is a 4:1Or minor child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is 4:1Lit lord owner of everything,
2 but he is under guardians and stewards until the date set by the father.
3 So also we, while we were children, were enslaved under the 4:3Or rudimentary teachings, principles elemental things of the world.
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under 4:4Or law the Law,
5 so that He might redeem those who were under 4:5 Or law the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir 4:7Through the gracious act of through God.
8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.
9 But now, having known God, or rather having been known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless 4:9Or rudimentary teachings, principles elemental things, to which you want to be enslaved all over again?
10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.
11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored 4:11Or for over you for nothing.
12 I beg of you, brothers, become as Iam, for I alsohave becomeas youare. You have done me no wrong.
13 But you know that it was because of a 4:13Lit weakness of the flesh bodily illness that I proclaimed the gospel to you the 4:13Or former first time;
14 and that which was a 4:14Or temptation trial to you in my 4:14Lit flesh bodily condition you did not despise or 4:14Lit spit out at loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ JesusHimself.
15 Where then is 4:15 Lit the congratulation of yourselves that sense of blessing you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
16 So have I become your enemy by 4:16Or dealing truthfully with you telling you the truth?
17 They zealously seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will zealously seek them.
18 But it is good always to be zealously sought in a commendable 4:18Or thing manner, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—
20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.An Allegory of Two Covenants
21 Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant-woman and one by the free woman.
23 But the son by the servant-woman had been born according to the flesh, while the son by the free woman through the promise.
24 4:24 Lit Which This is 4:24 Or written spoken with allegory, for these women are two covenants: one from Mount Sinai bearing children into slavery; 4:24 Lit which she is Hagar.
25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.
26 But the Jerusalem above is free; 4:26Lit which she is our mother.
27 For it is written,“Rejoice,barren woman who does not give birth;Break forth and shout,you who are not in labor;For more numerous are the children of the desolate oneThan of the one who has a husband.”
28 And you brothers, in accordance with Isaac, are children of promise.
29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh was persecuting himwho was bornaccording to the Spirit, so it is now also.
30 But what does the Scripture say?“Cast out the servant-woman and her son,For the son of the servant-woman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.”
31 So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant-woman, 4:31Ch5:1,note 1 but of the free woman.