1Now I say that as long as the heir4:1 Nm 26:52–62 is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner4:1 Col 3:22 of everything.
2Instead, he is under guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
3In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elements4:3 Or spirits, or principles of the world.4:3 Rm 7:6; 2Pt 2:20
4When the time came to completion, God sent his Son,4:4 Jn 5:19; Heb 1:2 born of a woman,4:4 Gn 3:15; Lk 2:7; Php 2:7 born under the law,
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
8But in the past, since you didn’t know God,4:8 Jn 7:28; Php 3:8 you were enslaved to things4:8 Or beings that by nature are not gods.
9But now, since you know God,4:9 Pr 2:6; Php 3:8 or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless4:9 Mk 14:17; Rm 15:26 elements?4:9 Col 2:8 Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?
11I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.
12I beg you, brothers and sisters: Become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have not wronged me;
13you know4:12–13 Or 12 Become like I am, because I — inasmuch as you are brothers and sisters — am not requesting anything of you. You wronged me. 13 You know that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a weakness of the flesh.
14You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you.4:14 Other mss read me On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself.
15Where, then, is your blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
17They court you eagerly, but not for good. They want to exclude you from me, so that you would pursue them.
18But it is always good to be pursued4:18 Lit zealously courted in a good manner — and not just when I am with you.
19My children,4:19 1Th 2:11 I am again suffering labor pains4:19 1Co 4:15; Jms 1:18 for you until Christ is formed in you.
20I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.
Sarah and Hagar: Two Covenants
21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law?
22For it is written that Abraham4:22 Gn 16:15; Jn 8:37; Heb 2:16 had two sons, one by a slave4:22 Rm 8:15,21; Heb 2:15 and the other by a free woman.
23But the one by the slave was born as a result of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through promise.
24These things are being taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai4:24 Ex 16:1 and bears children into slavery — this is Hagar.4:24 Gn 16:1
unable to give birth.
Burst into song and shout,
you who are not in labor,
for the children of the desolate woman will be many,
more numerous than those
28Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac,4:28 Ps 105:9; Jms 2:21 are children of promise.4:28 Gn 12:7; Rm 9:8; Gl 3:29
29But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit,4:29 Ps 51:11; Jn 1:33; Ac 2:4; Rm 8:9; Gl 5:25; Ti 3:5; Rv 3:22 so also now.4:29 Gn 21:9
Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard
Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
