Galatians Introduction, HQ Bible Study Team
WE ARE NOT A SLAVE, BUT GOD'S CHILD!
Passage: Galatians 4:1~7  
Key verse: 7
4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery(A) under the elemental spiritual forces[a] of the world.(B) 4 But when the set time had fully come,(C) God sent his Son,(D) born of a woman,(E) born under the law,(F) 5 to redeem(G) those under the law, that we might receive adoption(H) to sonship.[b](I) 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son(J) into our hearts,(K) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[c] Father.”(L) 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.(M)
Footnotes
- Galatians 4:3 Or under the basic principles
- Galatians 4:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.
- Galatians 4:6 Aramaic for Father
Cross references
- Galatians 4:3 : ver 8, 9, 24, 25; Gal 2:4
- Galatians 4:3 : Col 2:8, 20
- Galatians 4:4 : Mk 1:15; Ro 5:6; Eph 1:10
- Galatians 4:4 : S Jn 3:17
- Galatians 4:4 : S Jn 1:14
- Galatians 4:4 : Lk 2:27
- Galatians 4:5 : S Ro 3:24
- Galatians 4:5 : Jn 1:12
- Galatians 4:5 : S Ro 8:14
- Galatians 4:6 : S Ac 16:7
- Galatians 4:6 : Ro 5:5
- Galatians 4:6 : Ro 8:15, 16
- Galatians 4:7 : S Ro 8:17
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Source:  BibleGateway
An underage heir of a large estate is no different from a slave of that estate. Even though an owner's child will someday be the owner, one is under the constant watchful eye of one's parents and told what to do, how to dress, when to eat, and when to sleep. The same applies spiritually. Once we were under the spiritual forces of the world. We were controlled by our sinful nature. Just as a child can't escape the control of their parents, we couldn't escape being controlled by our sinful nature.
2. Not a slave nor a child, but an heir! (4-7)
At just the right time, God sent His son in order to redeem us, who were under the law. What was the result of this change? We went from being like a young child or a slave to being adopted as God's children with the full rights of an heir. God also sent His Spirit into our hearts, and, by it, we cry 'Abba, Father.' It is only by His grace that we are made to be heirs of God's kingdom.
Prayer: Lord, thank you so much for adopting me as your child. Thank you for making me an heir of your kingdom.
One Word: I am adopted as God's child