The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians

⭑ Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 4 -

I am saying that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is owner of the entire estate.

But he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.

So also we, when we were children, were held enslaved to the elemental principles of the world.

But when the fulness of time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.

He did this to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then you are also an heir through God.

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

But at that time, when you did not know God, you were made to be slaves to those who are, by their natural powers, not gods at all.

But now that you have come to know God, or rather that you are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to the weak and worthless elemental principles? Do you want to be enslaved all over again?

You observe days and new moons and seasons and years!

I am afraid for you that somehow my work with you may have been for nothing.

I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I also have become like you. You did me no wrong.

But you know that it was because of a physical illness that I proclaimed the gospel to you the first time.

Though my physical condition put you to the test, 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.

Where, then, is your blessing now? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your own eyes and given them to me.

So then, have I become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?

They are zealous to win you over, but for no good. They want to shut you out, so you may be zealous for them.

It is always good to be zealous for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you.

My little children, again I am in the pains of childbirth for you until Christ is formed in you.

I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.

Hagar and Sarah

(Genesis 21:9–21)

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave girl and one by the free woman.

But the one was born by the slave girl according to the flesh, but the other was born by the free woman through promise.

These things may be interpreted as an allegory, for these women represent two covenants. One of them is from Mount Sinai and she gives birth to children who are slaves. This is Hagar.

Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia; and she represents the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.

But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.

For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren one who does not give birth. Cry out and shout for joy, you who are not suffering the pains of childbirth. Because the children of the abandoned woman are more numerous than the woman who has a husband.”

But you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.

At that time the one who was born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit. It is the same now.

But what does the scripture say? “Send away the slave girl and her son. For the son of the slave girl will not share in the inheritance with the son of the free woman.”

Therefore, brothers, we are not children of a slave girl, but of the free woman.

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,

but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.

So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,

that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children.

And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba,(a) Father!”

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

However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.

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?

You observe days, months, seasons, and years.

I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.

I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong,

but you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time.

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.

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.

So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them.

But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.

My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you—

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)

Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law?

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman.

However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.

These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.

For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children.

But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break out and shout, you who don’t travail. For the desolate women have more children than her who has a husband.” (b)

Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.

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.

However, what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant and her son, for the son of the servant will not inherit with the son of the free woman.”(c)

So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman.

Footnotes

(a)4:6 Abba is a Greek spelling for the Aramaic word for “Father” or “Daddy” used in a familiar, respectful, and loving way.

(b)4:27 ℘ Isaiah 54:1