Sons and Heirs Through Christ

4 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, ² but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. ³ Even so we, when we were children, ^(A)were in bondage under the elements of the world. ⁴ But ^(B)when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, ^(C)born^{[a] (D)}of a woman, ^(E)born under the law, ^5 (F)to redeem those who were under the law, ^(G)that we might receive the adoption as sons.

⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent forth ^(H)the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ^[b]“Abba, Father!” ⁷ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, ^(I)and if a son, then an heir ^[c]of God ^[d]through Christ.

Fears for the Church

⁸ But then, indeed, ^(J)when you did not know God, ^(K)you served those which by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now ^(L)after you have known God, or rather are known by God, ^(M)how is it that you turn again to ^(N)the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? ^10 (O)You observe days and months and seasons and years. ¹¹ I am afraid for you, ^(P)lest I have labored for you in vain.