Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? New Living Translation Tell me, you who want to live under the law, do you know what the law actually says? English Standard Version Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? Berean Standard Bible Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says? Berean Literal Bible Tell me, those wanting to be under the law, do you⁺ not listen to the law? King James Bible Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? New King James Version Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? New American Standard Bible Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law? NASB 1995 Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? NASB 1977 Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? Legacy Standard Bible Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law? Amplified Bible Tell me, you who are bent on being under the Law, do you not listen to [what] the Law [really says]? Berean Annotated Bible Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you⁺ not understand what the law says? Christian Standard Bible Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? Holman Christian Standard Bible Tell me, those of you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? American Standard Version Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? Contemporary English Version Some of you would like to be under the rule of the Law of Moses. But do you know what the Law says? English Revised Version Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? GOD'S WORD® Translation Those who want to be controlled by Moses' laws should tell me something. Are you really listening to what Moses' Teachings say? Good News Translation Let me ask those of you who want to be subject to the Law: do you not hear what the Law says? International Standard Version Tell me, those of you who want to live under the Law: Are you really listening to what the Law says? NET Bible Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand the law? New Heart English Bible Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? Webster's Bible Translation Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? Weymouth New Testament Tell me--you who want to continue to be subject to Law--will you not listen to the Law? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleTell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says? World English Bible Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionTell me, you who are willing to be under law, do you not hear the Law? Berean Literal Bible Tell me, those wanting to be under the law, do you⁺ not listen to the law? Young's Literal Translation Tell me, ye who are willing to be under law, the law do ye not hear? Smith's Literal Translation Tell me, those wishing to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleTell me, you that desire to be under the law, have you not read the law? Catholic Public Domain Version Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, have you not read the law? New American Bible Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? New Revised Standard Version Tell me, you who desire to be subject to the law, will you not listen to the law? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? Aramaic Bible in Plain English Tell me, you who wish to be under The Written Law, do you not hear The Written Law? NT Translations Anderson New TestamentTell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not understand the law? Godbey New Testament Tell me, you wish to be under law, do you not hear the law? Haweis New Testament Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? Mace New Testament But tell me, you that are so willing to be under the law, why don't you consider the law? Weymouth New Testament Tell me--you who want to continue to be subject to Law--will you not listen to the Law? Worrell New Testament Tell me, ye who are wishing to be under law, do ye not hear the law? Worsley New Testament Tell me, you that are so desirous to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Hagar and Sarah20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you. 21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.… Cross References Tell me, Luke 20:3 “I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me: John 10:24 So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Matthew 22:17 So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” you who want to be under the law, Romans 6:14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. Romans 7:4 Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. 1 Corinthians 9:20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law. do you not understand John 8:43 Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. Mark 8:17-21 Aware of their conversation, Jesus asked them, “Why are you debating about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Do you have such hard hearts? / ‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember? / When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Twelve,” they answered. … Matthew 15:16 “Do you still not understand?” Jesus asked. what the law says? Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Luke 10:26 “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” Deuteronomy 27:26 ‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Genesis 21:10-12 and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!” / Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael. / But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. Romans 9:7-9 Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. / For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, / even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death. Genesis 16:1-4 Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. / So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. / So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years, his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife. … Treasury of Scripture Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? ye that. Galatians 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Galatians 3:10,23,24 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them… Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. do. Matthew 21:42-44 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? … Matthew 22:29-32 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God… John 5:46,47 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me… the law. John 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? John 12:34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? John 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. Jump to Previous Aware Continue Desire Desirous Ear Hear Law Subject Want WillingJump to Next Aware Continue Desire Desirous Ear Hear Law Subject Want WillingGalatians 4 1. We were under the law till Christ came, as the heir is under the guardian till he be of age.5. But Christ freed us from the law; 7. therefore we are servants no longer to it. 14. Paul remembers the Galatians' good will to him, and his to them; 22. and shows that we are the sons of Abraham by the freewoman. Tell me, This phrase indicates a direct and personal address from Paul to the Galatians. It suggests an appeal to reason and understanding, emphasizing the importance of the message that follows. Paul often uses direct questions to engage his audience and provoke thought. you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says? Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Galatians, addressing the issue of legalism and the Judaizers who were influencing the Galatian church. 2. Galatians The recipients of the letter, a group of early Christians in the region of Galatia who were being swayed by teachings that emphasized adherence to the Jewish law. 3. The Law Refers to the Mosaic Law, which includes the commandments and regulations given to the Israelites in the Old Testament. 4. Judaizers A group within the early church advocating that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law, including circumcision, to be true Christians. 5. Abraham While not directly mentioned in this verse, he is central to the argument in the surrounding passages, representing faith and the promise of God. Teaching Points Understanding the Law's PurposeThe law was given to reveal sin and point to the need for a Savior. It was never intended as a means of salvation. Freedom in Christ Believers are called to live in the freedom that Christ provides, not under the bondage of the law. Discernment in Doctrine Christians must be discerning about teachings that add to the gospel of grace, ensuring that they align with the truth of Scripture. Faith Over Works Salvation is by faith alone, not by works of the law. This truth should guide our relationship with God and others. Living by the Spirit Embrace the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live righteously apart from the law. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Galatians 4:21?2. How does Galatians 4:21 challenge us to understand the law's purpose today? 3. What does "under the law" mean in the context of Galatians 4:21? 4. How can Galatians 4:21 guide our approach to Old Testament teachings? 5. How does Galatians 4:21 connect with the freedom found in Christ? 6. In what ways can Galatians 4:21 influence our daily walk with God? 7. What does Galatians 4:21 reveal about the purpose of the Old Testament law? 8. How does Galatians 4:21 challenge the belief in salvation through the law? 9. Why does Paul reference the law in Galatians 4:21 to address the Galatians? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Galatians 4? 11. What lessons does the Sarah and Hagar story teach? 12. What is the allegorical meaning of a Bible story? 13. Why do Christians often ignore biblical dietary laws but still condemn sexual sins? 14. How do we address the moral dilemma of Abram fathering a child with his wife's servant (Genesis 16:1–4)? What Does Galatians 4:21 Mean Tell me,Paul opens with a personal, almost parental, appeal. He is not launching a cold lecture; he is inviting conversation. Like a shepherd calling sheep back to the fold, he says, “Tell me,” signaling that he wants hearts engaged, not just minds informed. This tone echoes his earlier plea in Galatians 3:1 – “Who has bewitched you?”—and mirrors Jesus’ compassionate questions to His disciples (Luke 24:38). By starting this way, Paul reminds readers that truth is best received in relationship and that correction is an act of love (Proverbs 27:6). you who want to be under the law, Here Paul identifies his audience: believers flirting with legalism. They were saved by faith (Galatians 3:2) yet now longed for the security of external rules. • The phrase exposes a heart posture, not merely an intellectual position. Wanting the law means trusting human obedience more than Christ’s obedience (Philippians 3:4-9). • Paul knows the Mosaic code cannot grant life (Galatians 3:21-22); it only reveals sin (Romans 3:20). Choosing law-reliance is like Israel craving Egypt again after tasting God’s freedom (Exodus 16:3). • Cross reference Hebrews 10:1-4, which shows that sacrifices under the law were “a shadow of the good things to come,” never the substance. Law-dependence always ends in bondage, not blessing. do you not understand This piercing question exposes the irony: those championing the law have missed its message. Paul is not attacking their intelligence; he is challenging their discernment (1 Corinthians 2:14). • The law, rightly read, drives us to Christ (Galatians 3:24-25). If someone “understands,” that understanding culminates in faith, not self-effort (Romans 10:4). • Jesus made the same point to experts in Scripture: “You search the Scriptures… yet you refuse to come to Me” (John 5:39-40). Knowing verses is not the same as grasping their intent. • Paul’s gentle rebuke encourages self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5). Are we reading merely to confirm bias or to hear God’s heart? what the law says? Paul is about to quote Genesis 16–21, showing how the very law the Galatians admire teaches the superiority of promise over performance. • The story of Hagar and Sarah illustrates two covenants: one from Mount Sinai (slavery) and one from the Jerusalem above (freedom) (Galatians 4:22-31). • Even within the Pentateuch, God’s pattern is grace first, law later: promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) came centuries before Moses. Romans 4:13-16 reinforces that inheritance rests on faith, “so that it may rest on grace.” • Thus the law “says” more than commands; it speaks of God’s redemptive plan culminating in Christ (Luke 24:27). To stay under the law after Christ has fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17) is to ignore the law’s own testimony. summary Galatians 4:21 confronts believers tempted by legalism. Paul lovingly invites them to listen, exposes their misplaced desire to live under rules, questions their true comprehension, and points them back to the law’s deeper message: it testifies to salvation by promise, not performance. The verse calls every generation to renounce self-reliance and rest in the finished work of Christ, where true freedom is found. (21-31) The next eleven verses contain an elaborate argument from the history of the two sons of Abraham, as types of the two covenants, in further proof that freedom is the essential character of the Christian dispensation.We have seen that St. Paul applies the history of the natural Israel allegorically to the spiritual Israel; and not only does he do this with reference to the history of the formed theocracy, but he goes back to its origin in the time of the patriarchs, and traces there the first beginnings of the separation between the Law and the promise. The same history had been already allegorically treated by Philo. The treatment of it by St. Paul is, however, quite different, and in keeping with the line of argument followed in the context. The points of parallelism, which are drawn out in much detail, may be exhibited thus:-- Jewish Church. Christian Church. The bondwoman, Hagar. The freewoman, Sarah. Son of the bondwoman, Ishmael. Son of the freewoman, Isaac. Natural birth (the flesh). Supernatural birth (the promise). Mount Sinai. . . . Verse 21. - Tell me, ye that desire to be under the Law (λέγετέ μοι οἱ ὑπὸ νόμον θέλοντες εϊναι). After the outburst of affectionate earnestness expressed in the last four verses, the apostle seems to have paused, reflecting in what way he could the most effectually convince these Galatian legalists of their error. At length, a consideration occurs to him, which he impetuously so to speak hastens to abruptly sot before them. He has before (Galatians 3:29) shown to the Galatian believers that they were "Abraham's seed." He now means to show that, as children of Abraham through faith in Christ, they stood on a far higher footing than the children of the Sinai covenant did - a position which, by subjecting themselves afresh to the Law, they would forego. The verb "desire" (θέλοντες), as here introduced, intimates that this aspiration of theirs was a mere freak of self-will, there being nothing in the circumstances to prompt it. So in ver. 9, "Ye desire to be in bondage." In consequence of there being no article with νόμον, some would render ὑπὸ νόμον "under Law," that is, Law viewed in genere, as in Romans 4:15. But the whole scope of the Epistle resists this view. The apostle's contention with the Galatian perverters of the truth is not concerning Christians being subject to Law absolutely, but concerning their being subject to a Law of outward ceremonial observance; that is, to the Law of Moses; for there was no other system of positive ordinances by which, as of Divine authority, they could imagine themselves to be bound. The noun νόμος is used without the article, like other monadic nouns with an understood specific reference (for examples, Θεός, Κύριος Ξριστός Πνεῦμα διάβολος κόσμος); as it is also Romans 2:23; Romans 3:31; Romans 4:13, 14; Romans 5:13; 1 Corinthians 9:20; Galatians 2:21; Galatians 4:5; Philippians 3:5, 6. Do ye not hear the Law? (to\n no/mon οὐκ ἀκούετε;); to that Law give ye no heed? The article is here prefixed to νόμον to make the repetition of the noun the more telling; just as it is in Romans 2:23, Ος ἐν νόμῳ καυχᾶσαι διὰ τῆς παραβάσεως τοῦ νόμου τὸν Θεὸν ἀτιμάζεις; The verb ἀκούετε, hear, like our "listen to," means "take to heart what it says;" as in Matthew 10:14; Luke 16:29, 31. There is no reason for attributing to the verb such a sense of listening to an oral utterance as should warrant us in supposing, that the apostle is thinking in particular of the Galatian Christians as in the habit of "hearing" the Pentateuch and ether Old Testament Scriptures read, whether in Jewish synagogues (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:14, 15; Acts 15:21) or in Christian assemblages. That such Scriptures in the Septuagint Version were customarily read aloud when Christians assembled for united worship, especially in the absence or dearth of other inspired writings, is more than probable: we know from Justin Martyr ('Apol.,' 1. p. 83) that such was the custom from Sunday to Sunday in his days, when there were ἀποστολικὰ ὑπμνημονεύματα also available for such use. Moreover, the existence of such a custom helps us to understand how it was that the apostle could here, as in Romans 7:1, presuppose with Christian believers an acquaintance with the contents of the Pentateuch. But we require more here than the thought, "Are ye not wont to hear the Law read?" It is rather an acquaintance with its contents, and taking due account of them, that he demands of his readers. Some uncial manuscripts have ἀναγινώσκετε, read, instead of ἀκούετε. This reading of the text would only imply, not without a touch of sarcasm, the sense which the more accredited reading, ἀκούετε, may be understood as directly denoting. The use of the word "Law" to denote at once the system of Mosaic legislation and the historical record in which it is embedded, is remarkable. The Jews were accustomed to designate the Pentateuch by this term (comp. Matthew 5:17; Luke 16:16; Luke 24:44); and whoever would fain subject themselves to the positive enactments of the Mosaic Law as possessing Divine authority, would of course feel themselves bound also to accept the teaching of the historical record as clothed with the like authority. The apostle himself also accepted both as alike coming from God; only he required that the Divine purpose in both should be clearly understood and be suitably complied with.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek TellΛέγετέ (Legete) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. me, μοι (moi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [you] who οἱ (hoi) Article - Vocative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. want θέλοντες (thelontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Vocative Masculine Plural Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. to be εἶναι (einai) Verb - Present Infinitive Active Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. under ὑπὸ (hypo) Preposition Strong's 5259: A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when). [the] Law, νόμον (nomon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. do you not understand [what] ἀκούετε (akouete) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Law [says]? νόμον (nomon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. Links Galatians 4:21 NIVGalatians 4:21 NLT Galatians 4:21 ESV Galatians 4:21 NASB Galatians 4:21 KJV Galatians 4:21 BibleApps.com Galatians 4:21 Biblia Paralela Galatians 4:21 Chinese Bible Galatians 4:21 French Bible Galatians 4:21 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Galatians 4:21 Tell me you that desire to be (Gal. Ga) |
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