Galatians 4:5-7
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
5 to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption.(A) 6 As proof that you are children,[a] God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”(B) 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.(C)
Do Not Throw This Freedom Away.[b]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 4:6 Children: see note on Gal 3:26; here in contrast to the infant or young person not of age (Gal 3:1, 3). Abba: cf. Mk 14:36 and the note; Rom 8:15.
- 4:8–11 On the basis of the arguments advanced from Gal 3:1 through Gal 4:7, Paul now launches his appeal to the Galatians with the question, how can you turn back to the slavery of the law (Gal 4:9)? The question is posed with reference to bondage to the elemental powers (see note on Gal 4:3) because the Galatians had originally been converted to Christianity from paganism, not Judaism (Gal 4:8). The use of the direct question is like Gal 3:3–5.
Galatians 4:5-7
New International Version
5 to redeem(A) those under the law, that we might receive adoption(B) to sonship.[a](C) 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son(D) into our hearts,(E) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[b] Father.”(F) 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.(G)
Footnotes
- 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
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