Sons and Heirs

1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave {doulou}, although he is the owner {kyrios} of everything. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.

3So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles (elemental forces)a of the world. 4But when the time had fully come, God {Theos} sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem (ransom) those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. 6And because you⁺ are sons, God {Theos} sent the Spirit {Pneuma} of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father {Patēr}!” 7So you are no longer a slave {doulos}, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God {Theou}.

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

8Formerly, when you did not know God {Theon}, you⁺ were slaves to those who by nature are not gods {theois}. 9But now that you know God {Theon}, or rather are known by God {Theou}, how is it that you⁺ are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you⁺ wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10You⁺ are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11I fear for you⁺, that my efforts for you⁺ may have been in vain. 12I beg you⁺, brothers (and sisters), become like me, for I became like you⁺. You⁺ have done me no wrong.

13You⁺ know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you⁺. 14And although my illness was a trial to you⁺, you⁺ did not despise or reject me. Instead, you⁺ welcomed me as if I were an angel (messenger) of God {Theou}, as if I were Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus Himself. 15What then has become of your⁺ blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you⁺ would have torn out your⁺ eyes and given them to me. 16Have I now become your⁺ enemy by telling you⁺ the truth?

17Those people are zealous for you⁺, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you⁺ from us, so that you⁺ may be zealous for them. 18Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you⁺.

19My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ (the Anointed One) is formed in you⁺, 20how I wish I could be with you⁺ now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you⁺.

Hagar and Sarah
(Genesis 21:9–21)

21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you⁺ not understand what the law says? 22For it is written that Abraham (father of many) had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman <Gen 16:15, Gen 21:2–3>.b 23His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.

24These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants {diathēkai}. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar (flight). 25Now Hagar (flight) stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem (city of peace), because she is in slavery with her children. 26But the Jerusalem (city of peace) above is free, and she is our mother. 27For it is written:

“Rejoice, O barren woman,

who bears no children;

break forth and cry aloud,

you who have never travailed;

because more are the children of the desolate woman

than of her who has a husband <Isa 54:1>.”c

28Now you⁺ [we],d brothers (and sisters), like Isaac (he will laugh), are children of promise. 29At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit {Pneuma}. It is the same now.

30But what does the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son <Gen 21:10>.”e 31Therefore, brothers (and sisters), we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.