Sonship in Christ

1Now I say, as long as the heir is a [†]child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is [†]owner of everything, 2but he is under guardians and stewards until the date set by the father. 3So also we, while we were children, were enslaved under the [†]elemental things of the world. 4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under [†]the Law, 5so that He might redeem those who were under [†]the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir [†]through God.

8However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 9But now, having known God, or rather having been known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless [†]elemental things, to which you want to be enslaved all over again? 10You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored [†]over you for nothing.

12I beg of you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong. 13But you know that it was because of a [†]bodily illness that I proclaimed the gospel to you the [†]first time; 14and that which was a [†]trial to you in my [†]bodily condition you did not despise or [†]loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. 15Where then is [†]that sense of blessing you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16So have I become your enemy by [†]telling you the truth? 17They zealously seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will zealously seek them. 18But it is good always to be zealously sought in a commendable [†]manner, and not only when I am present with you. 19My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— 20but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.

An Allegory of Two Covenants

21Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant-woman and one by the free woman. 23But the son by the servant-woman had been born according to the flesh, while the son by the free woman through the promise. 24[†]This is [†]spoken with allegory, for these women are two covenants: one from Mount Sinai bearing children into slavery; [†]she is Hagar. 25Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26But the Jerusalem above is free; [†]she is our mother. 27For it is written,

“REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT GIVE BIRTH;

BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR;

FOR MORE NUMEROUS ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE ONE

THAN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND.”

28And you brothers, in accordance with Isaac, are children of promise. 29But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh was persecuting him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. 30But what does the Scripture say?

“CAST OUT THE SERVANT-WOMAN AND HER SON,

FOR THE SON OF THE SERVANT-WOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN.”

31So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant-woman, [†]but of the free woman.