Galatians 4

Christian Standard Bible

4 Now I say that as long as the heir^(A) is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner^(B) of everything. ² Instead, he is under guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elements^[a] of the world.^{(C) 4} When the time came to completion, God sent his Son,^(D) born of a woman,^(E) born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.^{(F) 6} And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(G) into our^[b] hearts, crying, “Abba,^[c] Father!” ^{(H) 7} So you are no longer a slave^(I) but a son,^(J) and if a son, then God has made you an heir.^(K)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ But in the past, since you didn’t know God,^(L) you were enslaved to things^[d] that by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now, since you know God,^(M) or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless^(N) elements?^(O) Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? ¹⁰ You are observing special days, months, seasons, and years.^{(P) 11} I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.

¹² I beg you, brothers and sisters: Become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have not wronged me; ¹³ you know^[e] that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a weakness of the flesh. ¹⁴ You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you.^[f] On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself.

¹⁵ Where, then, is your blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ So then, have I become your enemy because I told you the truth?^{(Q) 17} They court you eagerly, but not for good. They want to exclude you from me, so that you would pursue them. ¹⁸ But it is always good to be pursued^[g] in a good manner—and not just when I am with you. ¹⁹ My children,^(R) I am again suffering labor pains^(S) for you until Christ is formed in you. ²⁰ I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.

Sarah and Hagar: Two Covenants

²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? ²² For it is written that Abraham^(T) had two sons, one by a slave^(U) and the other by a free woman. ²³ But the one by the slave was born as a result of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through promise. ²⁴ These things are being taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai^(V) and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar.^{(W) 25} Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia^(X) and corresponds to the present Jerusalem,^(Y) for she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem above^(Z) is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written,^(AA)

²⁸ Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac,^(AD) are children of promise.^{(AE) 29} But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit,^(AF) so also now.^{(AG) 30} But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.”^{[i](AH) 31} Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.^(AI)