Galatians 4:1-9 ▼

1 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything.

2 He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.

3 So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.

4 But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.

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

7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.

8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

9 But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, 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?