Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
Galatians 4
From Slavery to Sonship
What I mean is this: as long as an heir is a child, that heir differs in no way from a slave, though being owner of everything. Instead, the heir is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. In the same way, when we were children, we were enslaved under the elemental powers of the world. But when the fullness of time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those under the Law so that we might receive adoption as sons and daughters. And because you are sons and daughters, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child; and if a child, then also an heir through God.
Do Not Return to Slavery
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather, are known by God—how can you turn back again to the weak and poor elemental powers? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? You carefully observe days, months, seasons, and years. I am afraid for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.
Paul’s Appeal
I beg you, brothers and sisters: become as I am, because I became as you are. You did me no wrong. You know that it was because of a bodily weakness that I first announced the good news to you. Though my bodily condition was a trial for you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. Where then is the blessedness you had? I testify that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? Those people are eager for you, but not for a good purpose. They want to shut you out so that you will be eager for them. It is good to be eagerly sought for a good purpose always, and not only when I am present with you. My children, for whom I am again suffering birth pains until Christ is formed in you, I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.
Hagar and Sarah
Tell me, you who want to be under the Law: do you not listen to the Law?
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and one by the free woman.
But the son of the slave woman was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.
These things are being spoken allegorically, for these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar.
Now Hagar corresponds to Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.
But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
For it is written,
“Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear;
break out and cry aloud, you who are not in labor,
because the children of the deserted woman are more numerous
than those of the woman who has a husband.”
Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.
But just as the one born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit then, so it is now.
But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave woman and her son, because the slave woman’s son will certainly not inherit with the free woman’s son.”
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman.