Galatians 4
4
1But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all, 2but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father. 3So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. 4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, 5that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children. 6And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba,#4:6 Abba is a Greek spelling for the Aramaic word for “Father” or “Daddy” used in a familiar, respectful, and loving way. Father!” 7So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
8However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods. 9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again? 10You observe days, months, seasons, and years. 11I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
12I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong, 13but you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time. 14That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them. 18But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
19My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you— 20but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
21Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman. 23However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise. 24These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar. 25For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children. 26But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27For it is written,
“Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear.
Break out and shout, you who don’t travail.
For the desolate women have more children than her who has a husband.” #Isaiah 54:1
28Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30However, what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant and her son, for the son of the servant will not inherit with the son of the free woman.”#Genesis 21:10 31So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman.
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Galatians 4
4
1Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father:
3So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world.
4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law:
5That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father.
7Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.
8But then indeed, not knowing God, you served them, who, by nature, are not gods.
9But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known by God: how turn you again to the weak and needy elements, which you desire to serve again?
10You observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11I am afraid of you, lest perhaps I have laboured in vain among you.
12Be ye as I, because I also am as you: brethren, I beseech you: you have not injured me at all.
13And you know, how through infirmity of the flesh, I preached the gospel to you heretofore: and your temptation in my flesh,
14You despised not, nor rejected: but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15Where is then your blessedness? For I bear you witness, that, if it could be done, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and would have given them to me.
16Am I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
17They are zealous in your regard not well: but they would exclude you, that you might be zealous for them.
18But be zealous for that which is good in a good thing always: and not only when I am present with you.
19My little children, of whom I am in labour again, until Christ be formed in you.
20And I would willingly be present with you now, and change my voice: because I am ashamed for you.
21Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, have you not read the law?
22For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, and the other by a free woman.
23But he who was of the bondwoman, was born according to the flesh: but he of the free woman, was by promise.
24Which things are said by an allegory. For these are the two testaments. The one from mount Sina, engendering unto bondage; which is Agar:
25For Sina is a mountain in Arabia, which hath affinity to that Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26But that Jerusalem, which is above, is free: which is our mother.
27For it is written: Rejoice, thou barren, that bearest not: break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for many are the children of the desolate, more than of her that hath a husband.
28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29But as then he, that was born according to the flesh, persecuted him that was after the spirit; so also it is now.
30But what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son; for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.
31So then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman, but of the free: by the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.