Sons and Heirs

1Now as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he is to be lord of all: 2but is under guardians and managers till the time appointed by the father. 3So we when we were children, were in servitude under the elements of the world: 4but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son born of a woman made under the law, 5that He might redeem those that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7So that thou art no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, an heir also of God through Christ.

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

8But then indeed, when ye knew not God, ye served those which in reality are no gods. 9But now that ye know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that ye turn again to the poor weak elements, to which ye desire again to be in bondage as before? 10Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years: 11so that I am afraid for you, least I have indeed bestowed upon you labour in vain.

12Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I also was as ye are: and ye have not injured me at all. 13But ye know that in the infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel to you at first: 14and my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected me for it; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15What then was your blessedness? for I bear you witness that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 16And am I become your enemy for telling you the truth? 17They are zealous for you, but not as they ought: for they would exclude us, that ye may be zealous for them: 18But it is good to be zealously affected always in that which is good, and not only when I am present with you. 19My little children, of whom I do as it were travail in birth again, 20till Christ be formed in you, I should be glad to be present with you even now, and to change my voice; for I am in doubt about you.

Hagar and Sarah

21Tell me, you that are so desirous to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? 22where it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by a servant, and one by a free-woman? 23But he who was of the servant, was born according to the course of nature; whereas the son of the free-woman was by virtue of the promise. 24Which things are figurative; for these persons are emblems of the two covenants, the one from mount Sinai, bringing forth children unto bondage, which is Hagar: for this name Hagar, 25a rock, is expressive of mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to the present Jerusalem, which is in bondage with her children. 26But the Jerusalem above is represented by the free-woman, which is the mother of us all.

27For it is written, Rejoice thou barren, that for a while didst not bear, break forth and cry aloud for joy, thou that didst not travail with child; for many more are the children of the desolate than of her that hath an husband."

28Now we, brethren, like Isaac, are children of the promise. 29But as then he that was born after the flesh, persecuted him who was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

30But what saith the scripture? "Cast out the servant and her son: for the son of the servant shall not inherit with the son of the free-woman."

31Now we, my brethren, are not children of the servant, but of the free-woman.