Galatians 3:23-4:20

New International Version

Children of God

²³ Before the coming of this faith,^[a] we were held in custody^(A) under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.^{(B) 24} So the law was our guardian until Christ came^(C) that we might be justified by faith.^{(D) 25} Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.^(E)

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

4 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. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery^(P) under the elemental spiritual forces^[b] of the world.^{(Q) 4} But when the set time had fully come,^(R) God sent his Son,^(S) born of a woman,^(T) born under the law,^{(U) 5} to redeem^(V) those under the law, that we might receive adoption^(W) to sonship.^{[c](X) 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(Y) into our hearts,^(Z) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[d] Father.”^{(AA) 7} So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.^(AB)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God,^(AC) you were slaves^(AD) to those who by nature are not gods.^{(AE) 9} But now that you know God—or rather are known by God^(AF)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[e]? Do you wish to be enslaved^(AG) by them all over again?^{(AH) 10} You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!^{(AI) 11} I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.^(AJ)

¹² I plead with you, brothers and sisters,^(AK) become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. ¹³ As you know, it was because of an illness^(AL) that I first preached the gospel to you, ¹⁴ and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.^{(AM) 15} Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?^(AN)

¹⁷ Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.^{(AO) 18} It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.^{(AP) 19} My dear children,^(AQ) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^{(AR) 20} how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!