Sons and Heirs
(Genesis 21:1-8; Romans 8:12-17)
1Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them 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. 7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Paul's Concern for the Galatians
8Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
12Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. 13Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 16Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 17They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. 18But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. 19My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, 20I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
Hagar and Sarah
21Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? 22For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
31So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Sons and Heirs
1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all; 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father. 3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, 5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children. 6 And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
8 However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again? 10 You observe days, months, seasons, and years. 11 I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
12 I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong, 13 but you know that because of weakness of the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time. 14 That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them. 18 But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you— 20 but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
Hagar and Sarah
(Genesis 21:9–21)
21 Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the free woman. 23 However, the son by the handmaid was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise. 24 These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar. 25 For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break forth and shout, you that don’t travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband.”
28 Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
30 However what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the handmaid will not inherit with the son of the free woman.”
31 So then, brothers, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the free woman.
Sons and Heirs
1 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything. 2 He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.
3 So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles a of the world. 4 But when the 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 our adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.
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 worthless principles? 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 my efforts for you may have been in vain. 12 I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.
13 You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14 And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself. 15 What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, 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 for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. 18 Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you.
19 My 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
(Genesis 21:9–21)
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand 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. b 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.
24 These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written:
“Rejoice, O barren woman,
who bears no children;
break forth and cry aloud,
you who have never travailed;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband.” c
28 Now you, d brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now.
30 But what does the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” e 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
Footnotes:
3 a Or elemental forces ; similarly in verse 9
22 b See Genesis 16:15 and Genesis 21:2–3.
27 c Isaiah 54:1
28 d WH, BYZ, and TR we
30 e Genesis 21:10
Sons and Heirs
(Genesis 21:1-8; Romans 8:12-17)
1And I say, so long time as the heir is a babe, he differeth nothing from a servant -- being lord of all, 2but is under tutors and stewards till the time appointed of the father, 3so also we, when we were babes, under the elements of the world were in servitude, 4and when the fulness of time did come, God sent forth His Son, come of a woman, come under law, 5that those under law he may redeem, that the adoption of sons we may receive; 6and because ye are sons, God did send forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, 'Abba, Father!' 7so that thou art no more a servant, but a son, and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.
Paul's Concern for the Galatians
8But then, indeed, not having known God, ye were in servitude to those not by nature gods, 9and now, having known God -- and rather being known by God -- how turn ye again unto the weak and poor elements to which anew ye desire to be in servitude? 10days ye observe, and months, and times, and years! 11I am afraid of you, lest in vain I did labour toward you.
12Become as I am -- because I also am as ye brethren, I beseech you; to me ye did no hurt, 13and ye have known that through infirmity of the flesh I did proclaim good news to you at the first, 14and my trial that is in my flesh ye did not despise nor reject, but as a messenger of God ye did receive me -- as Christ Jesus; 15what then was your happiness? for I testify to you, that if possible, your eyes having plucked out, ye would have given to me; 16so that your enemy have I become, being true to you? 17they are zealous for you -- yet not well, but they wish to shut us out, that for them ye may be zealous; 18and it is good to be zealously regarded, in what is good, at all times, and not only in my being present with you; 19my little children, of whom again I travail in birth, till Christ may be formed in you, 20and I was wishing to be present with you now, and to change my voice, because I am in doubt about you.
Hagar and Sarah
21Tell me, ye who are willing to be under law, the law do ye not hear? 22for it hath been written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the maid-servant, and one by the free-woman, 23but he who is of the maid-servant, according to flesh hath been, and he who is of the free-woman, through the promise; 24which things are allegorized, for these are the two covenants: one, indeed, from mount Sinai, to servitude bringing forth, which is Hagar; 25for this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and doth correspond to the Jerusalem that now is, and is in servitude with her children, 26and the Jerusalem above is the free-woman, which is mother of us all,
27for it hath been written, 'Rejoice, O barren, who art not bearing; break forth and cry, thou who art not travailing, because many are the children of the desolate -- more than of her having the husband.'
28And we, brethren, as Isaac, are children of promise, 29but as then he who was born according to the flesh did persecute him according to the spirit, so also now;
30but what saith the Writing? 'Cast forth the maid-servant and her son, for the son of the maid-servant may not be heir with the son of the free-woman;'
31then, brethren, we are not a maid-servant's children, but the free-woman's.
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.
