4 1 What I am saying is this: as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. 2 He is under guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also we, when we were children, were enslaved under the elemental forces of the world. a a v3 'Elemental forces' refers to the basic spiritual powers or ruling principles that governed human life before Christ came. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, our Father sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might be received as sons. b b v5 Restoration to full sonship: our Father granting His child the full standing of a son — full rights, full inheritance, full belonging. Not a distant legal arrangement, but the family He made us for. 6 And because you are sons, our Father has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!" c c v6 "Abba" was Jesus’ own intimate cry to our Father — the name a child uses for the dearest parent. Through the Spirit of his Son, our Father places that same cry on the lips of every restored son and daughter. 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through our Father.
The Father Knows You by Name
8 Formerly, when you did not know our Father, you were enslaved to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know our Father — or rather are known by our Father — how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental forces? Do you want to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain. 12 Become like me, brothers and sisters, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 You know that it was because of a bodily illness that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as an angel of our Father — as Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where, then, is your blessing? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 So have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good purpose. What they want is to shut you out, so that you may be zealous for them. 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always — and not just when I am with you.
19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the labor pains until Christ is formed in you. 20 How I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
Hagar and Sarah: Two Covenants
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and one by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way, but his son by the free woman was born through promise. 24 These things are spoken figuratively: the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children destined for slavery — this is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: "Rejoice, childless woman, you who bear no children; burst out and shout aloud, you who have no labor pains; because the desolate woman has more children than the woman who has a husband."
28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time, the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born according to the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
