Galatians Chapter 4 — From Bondservants to Heirs
Paul explains that through Christ, believers are no longer bondservants but adopted heirs of God, warning them not to return to legalistic bondage.
1But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all,
2but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.
3So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.
4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,
5that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children.
6And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba,*Abba is a Greek spelling for the Aramaic word for “Father” or “Daddy” used in a familiar, respectful, and loving way. Father!”
7So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
8However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.
9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again?
10You observe days, months, seasons, and years.
11I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
12I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong,
13but you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time.
14That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
16So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them.
18But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
19My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you—
20but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
21Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law?
22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman.
23However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.
24These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.
25For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children.
26But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27For it is written,
28Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
29But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
30However, what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant and her son, for the son of the servant will not inherit with the son of the free woman.”✡Genesis 21:10
31So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Galatians 4:4-5
“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children.”
This verse highlights the historical timing and purpose of Jesus' mission to bring humanity into God's family.
Galatians 4:6
“And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!””
It emphasizes the intimate relationship and spiritual identity believers share with God through the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 4:31
“So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman.”
This concluding statement summarizes the chapter's argument that believers are defined by freedom rather than legalistic obligation.
Chapter Summary
In Galatians Chapter 4, Paul compares those under the law to a child who is an heir but remains under guardians and stewards until the appointed time. He explains that at the right time, God sent His Son to redeem those under the law, allowing them to receive adoption as children and the Spirit of God in their hearts. Paul expresses deep concern for the Galatians, as they have begun to return to the observation of rituals and 'elemental principles' of the world. He makes a personal appeal, reminding them of how they initially received him with great affection despite his physical illness. Finally, Paul presents an allegory using Abraham’s two sons: Ishmael, born of the servant Hagar according to the flesh, and Isaac, born of the free woman Sarah through promise. He concludes that believers are children of the promise and of the free woman, rather than the servant.
Frequently Asked Questions
'Abba' is an Aramaic word for 'Father' used in a familiar and respectful way, similar to 'Daddy.' Paul uses it to show that through the Spirit, believers can approach God with personal intimacy as His own children.
Paul uses Abraham's two wives to represent two different covenants. Hagar represents the covenant of the Law given at Mount Sinai, which leads to bondage, while Sarah represents the covenant of promise and the free 'Jerusalem above.'
Paul was concerned because the Galatians were beginning to observe specific days, months, and seasons as legal requirements. He feared this meant they were turning back to a form of spiritual bondage and that his work among them might have been in vain.
Study Note
The term 'elemental principles' (stoicheia) in verses 3 and 9 refers to the basic, rudimentary concepts of the world or religious rituals that people were enslaved to before the revelation of Christ.
Related Chapters
Romans 8
Both chapters discuss the theme of being heirs with Christ and the indwelling of the Spirit of adoption.
Genesis 21
This chapter contains the original story of Hagar and Sarah that Paul references in his allegory.
John 8
Jesus discusses the difference between being a slave and a son, mirroring Paul's arguments in Galatians.
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