Sons of God Through Christ and the Spirit
Galatians 4, verse 1. Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, Galatians 4, verse 2. but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Galatians 4, verse 3. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. Galatians 4, verse 4. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, Galatians 4, verse 5. to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4, verse 6. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Galatians 4, verse 7. Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
The Danger of the Law
Galatians 4, verse 8. But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. Galatians 4, verse 9. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? Galatians 4, verse 10. You observe days and months and seasons and years. Galatians 4, verse 11. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. Galatians 4, verse 12. Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. Galatians 4, verse 13. You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. Galatians 4, verse 14. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Galatians 4, verse 15. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. Galatians 4, verse 16. Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? Galatians 4, verse 17. They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. Galatians 4, verse 18. But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. Galatians 4, verse 19. My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, Galatians 4, verse 20. I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.
An Allegory: Slavery and Sonship
Galatians 4, verse 21. Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? Galatians 4, verse 22. For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. Galatians 4, verse 23. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, Galatians 4, verse 24. which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— Galatians 4, verse 25. for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— Galatians 4, verse 26. but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. Galatians 4, verse 27. For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband.” Galatians 4, verse 28. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. Galatians 4, verse 29. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Galatians 4, verse 30. Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” Galatians 4, verse 31. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.