Gal 4 | BSB | STEP | [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.

‏ Galatians 4

Sons and Heirs

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 ^{▼▼Or elemental forces; also in verse 9} 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.

Paul's Fears for the Galatians

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? 10 You are observing [special] days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, [that] my efforts for you may have been in vain. 12 I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. 13 You know that it was because of an illness [that] I first preached the gospel to you. 14 And [although] my [illness] [was a] trial to you, you did not despise [me] [or] reject [me] . Instead, you welcomed me as if [I were] an angel of God, as if [I were] Christ Jesus [himself] . 15 What then [has become] of your blessing? For I can testify that, if [it were] possible, you would have torn out your eyes [and] given [them] to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy [by] telling you the truth? 17 [Those people] are zealous for you, [but] not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you [from us] , so that you will be zealous for them. 18 Nevertheless, [it is] good to be zealous if it serves a noble [purpose] — at any time, and not only when I am with you. 19 My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 [how] I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.

Hagar and Sarah

21 Tell me, [you] who want to be under [the] Law, do you not understand [what] the Law [says] ? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and [the other] by the free [woman] . 23 His [son] by the slave woman was born according to [the] flesh, [but] [his son] by the free [woman] [was born] because of the promise. 24 These [things] serve as illustrations, for [the women] represent two covenants. One [covenant] [is] from Mount Sinai [and bears] children into slavery: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, [and she] is our mother. 27 For it is written: “Rejoice, [O] barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, [you] who {have} never travailed; because more [are] the children of the desolate woman, than of her who has a husband.” ^{▼▼Isaiah 54:1} 28 Now you, ^{▼▼WH, BYZ, and TR we} brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time, however, the [son] born by [the] flesh persecuted the [son born] by [the] Spirit. [It is] the same now. 30 But what {does} the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free [woman’s] son.” ^{▼▼Genesis 21:10} 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of [the] slave woman, but of the free [woman] .