Galatians 4

The Favor of God paraphrase

Heirs of God Through Christ

¹ What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a servant, even though he owns the whole estate. ² He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ In the same way, we were children, held in bondage under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. ⁴ But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption as children of God.

⁶ Because you are His children, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” ⁷ So you are no longer a servant, but God’s child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir.

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? ¹⁰ You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! ¹¹ I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

¹² I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. ¹³ As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, ¹⁴ and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself. ¹⁵ Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

¹⁷ Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. ¹⁸ It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. ¹⁹ My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth 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, are you not aware of what the law says? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. ²³ His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.

²⁴ These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: 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:

“Be glad, barren woman,

you who never bore a child;

shout for joy and cry aloud,

you who were never in labor;

because more are the children of the desolate woman

than of her who has a husband.”

²⁸ Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. ²⁹ At that time, the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of 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.

Footnotes:

1.“Elemental spiritual forces of the world” (verse 3) likely refers to the basic principles of the world’s religious systems, including the law, which held people in bondage before the arrival of Christ.

2.The phrase “Abba, Father” (verse 6) is a deeply personal term of intimacy, akin to saying “Daddy.” This reflects the close relationship believers now have with God through the Spirit, made possible by Christ’s redemption.

3.Paul’s illness (verse 13) may have been a physical ailment that initially brought him to the Galatians, leading to the preaching of the gospel in their region. Despite his weakness, the Galatians received him with honor and love.

4.The two covenants represented by Hagar and Sarah (verses 24-25) symbolize the difference between living under the law (slavery) and living under grace (freedom). Hagar represents Mount Sinai and the law, while Sarah represents the promise of freedom in Christ.

5.The “Jerusalem above” (verse 26) is a metaphor for the heavenly city, representing spiritual freedom and the new covenant of grace. This contrasts with the earthly Jerusalem, which, under the law, symbolizes bondage.

6.The persecution of Isaac by Ishmael (verse 29) is used figuratively to show how those living under the law often oppose those living by faith in the promise of the Spirit. Paul sees this same conflict happening between legalists and believers in Galatia.

7.“Get rid of the slave woman and her son” (verse 30) is a reference to Genesis 21:10, where Hagar and Ishmael are sent away. In this context, Paul uses it to emphasize the need to reject the old covenant of the law in favor of the freedom found in the new covenant of grace.