Galatians 4

Sons and Heirs

1 Let me break it down: as long as an heir is a kid, he is no different from a servant, even though he has supposed to own everything.

2 He is under guardians and managers until the time set by his father.

3 That is how it was for us too. We were like kids, slaves to the basics of this world.

4 But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

5 To buy freedom for us who were under the law so we could be adopted as God’s kids.

6 And since we are now His kids, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, calling out, “Abba, Father!”

7 So you are not a slave anymore; you are God’s child. And since you are His child, you are also an heir through Him.

Paul’s Concern for the Church

8 Back in the day, when you did not know God, you were slaves to so-called “gods” that are not really gods at all.

9 But now that you know God, or better yet, are known by God, why go back to those weak and worthless principles, Why be slaves all over again,

10 You all are worried about special days, months, seasons, and years.

11 I am scared for you all, I hope my work with you has not been for anything.

12 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to be like me, because I became like you. You did not do me wrong.

13 Remember, when I first preached to you, I was dealing with a physical issue.

14 You did not look down on me or reject me because of my problem. Instead, you welcomed me like I was an angel from God, even like I was Christ Jesus Himself.

15 What happened to all that joy you had, I swear, you would have given me your own eyes if you could.

16 So now, just because I am telling you the truth, I have become your enemy,

17 These people trying to lead you away are putting on an act. They want to cut you off from us so you will only look up to them.

18 It is cool to be passionate about a good thing, but not just when I am with you.

19 My dear kids, I feel like I am going through labor pains for you all over again until Christ is formed in you.

20 I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am confused about you all.

Hagar and Sarah

21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you even listen to what the law says,

22 The Scriptures say Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman, one by a free woman.

23 The son by the slave woman was born the regular way, but the son by the free woman was born because of God’s promise.

24 These two women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai, where people became slaves, and that is Hagar.

25 Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and represents the current Jerusalem, because she and her kids are in slavery.

26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

27 For it is written: “Rejoice, childless woman who never gave birth! Break out in joy, you who have never been in labor! More are the children of the desolate woman than of the woman who has a husband.”

28 Now, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, we are children of the promise.

29 Back then, the child born by human effort persecuted the child born by the Spirit, and it is the same now.

30 But what does the Scripture say, “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, because the slave woman’s son will not share the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”

31 So, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman; we are children of the free woman.