Sons and Daughters through Christ

Galatians 4

But I say that as long as the heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, though he is lord of all. Instead, he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by the father. Similarly we also, when we were underage, were held in bondage under the elemental forces of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent ʜɪꜱ Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive adoption as children. And because y’all are children, God sent the Spirit of ʜɪꜱ Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a child; and if a child, then an heir through God.

However at that time, when y’all didn’t know God, y’all were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods. But now that y’all have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do y’all turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles? Do y’all want to be in bondage all over again? Y’all observe days, months, seasons, and years. I am afraid for y’all, that I might have wasted my labor for y’all.

I beg y’all, siblings, become as I am, for I also have become as y’all are. Y’all did me no wrong, but y’all know that it was because of bodily illness that I preached the gospel to y’all the first time. And though my illness was a trial to y’all, y’all didn’t despise nor reject; but y’all received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Now where is the blessing that y’all enjoyed? For I testify to y’all that, if possible, y’all would have plucked out your* eyes and given them to me. Have I now become y’all’s enemy by telling y’all the truth?

Those people are zealously seeking y’all but not for good. No, they desire to alienate y’all, that y’all may zealously seek them. But it is always good to be zealous for an excellent cause, and not only when I am present with y’all.

My little children, of whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in y’all. But I wish I could be present with y’all now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about y’all.

The Allegory of Hagar and Sarah

Tell me, y’all who want to be under the law, don’t y’all listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and one by the free woman. However, the son by the slave was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through the promise. These things are an allegory, for these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children who are to be slaves—this is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, because she is in bondage with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written,

“Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear children. Break out and shout, you who were never in labor. For the desolate women have more children than her who has a husband.” +Isa 54:1

Now y’all, siblings, are children of promise like Isaac. At that time, the one who was born according to the flesh persecuted the one who was born according to the Spirit, and so it is now. However, what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will not share the inheritance with the son of the free woman.”+Gen 21:10 So then, siblings, we are not children of a slave woman, but of the free woman.