Sons and Heirs

1But I say, so long as the heir is an infant, he differs not from a slave, being lord of all things, 2but he is under nurses and stewards until the adoption of the father. 3So also we, when we were infants, were enslaved under the elements of the world: 4but when the fulness of time came, God sent forth his own Son, having been born of a woman, having been born under law, 5in order that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption of sonship. 6But because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his own Son into our hearts, crying, Father, Father. 7So you are no longer a servant but a son; and if a son, truly an heir through God.

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

8But you indeed, not knowing God, at that time served those who by nature are not gods: 9but now having known God, and rather having become known of God, how do you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements which you wish to serve again as formerly? 10Do you keep days, and months, and times and years? 11I fear lest I have labored unto you in vain.

12Be ye as I am, because I am as you are, brethren, I am praying for you. 13You have not injured me: you know that through weakness of the flesh I formerly preached the gospel unto you: 14and you did not despise, nor spit upon, your temptation in my flesh; but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15Where then is your happiness? for I testify to you that, if possible, having plucked out your eyes, you would have given them to me. 16Therefore have I become your enemy, telling you the truth? 17They zealously seek you in no good way; but they wish to exclude you, in order that you may zealously seek them. 18It is good always to be zealous in a good thing, and not only in my coming to you. 19My children, for whom I again travail in pain until Christ may be formed in you, 20but I wish to come unto you now, and change my voice; because I am at a loss in reference to you.

Hagar and Sarah

21Tell me, you wish to be under law, do you not hear the law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons; one by a bond-maid and one by a freewoman. 23But the one indeed of the bond-maid was born according to the flesh, and the one of the freewoman through the promise. 24Which things are allegorized: for these are the two covenants; the one indeed from mount Sinai, generating children into bondage, which is Hagar. 25For this mount Sinai is in Arabia, and corresponds with Jerusalem which now is: for she is in bondage with her children. 26But Jerusalem who is above is free, who is our mother:

27for it is written, Rejoice, thou barren one who does not bring forth; break forth and cry aloud, thou that dost not travail: because many more are the children of the barren than of her having a husband.

28But you, brethren, are the children of Isaac, according to the promise. 29But as the one at that time having been born according to the flesh persecuted the one according to the Spirit, even so it is now.

30But what says the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not inherit with the son of the free.

31Therefore, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman, but of the free.