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But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.[a] And because we[b] are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”[c] Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.[d] And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?

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Footnotes

  1. 4:5 Greek sons; also in 4:6.
  2. 4:6a Greek you.
  3. 4:6b Abba is an Aramaic term for “father.”
  4. 4:7 Greek son; also in 4:7b.

But when the set time had fully come,(A) God sent his Son,(B) born of a woman,(C) born under the law,(D) to redeem(E) those under the law, that we might receive adoption(F) to sonship.[a](G) Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son(H) into our hearts,(I) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[b] Father.”(J) So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.(K)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

Formerly, when you did not know God,(L) you were slaves(M) to those who by nature are not gods.(N) But now that you know God—or rather are known by God(O)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces[c]? Do you wish to be enslaved(P) by them all over again?(Q)

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 4:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.
  2. Galatians 4:6 Aramaic for Father
  3. Galatians 4:9 Or principles