Galatians 4:1-23 ▼

1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything,

2 but he is under guardians and stewards until the date set by the father.

3 So also we, while we were children, were enslaved under the elemental things of the world.

4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,

5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.

9 But now, having known God, or rather having been known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you want to be enslaved all over again?

10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.

11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you for nothing.

12 I beg of you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong.

13 But you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I proclaimed the gospel to you the first time;

14 and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

15 Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

16 So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17 They zealously seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will zealously seek them.

18 But it is good always to be zealously sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.

19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—

20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.

21 Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law?

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant-woman and one by the free woman.

23 But the son by the servant-woman had been born according to the flesh, while the son by the free woman through the promise.