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You no longer have to live as a slave because you are a child of God. And since you are His child, God guarantees an inheritance is waiting for you.

“Abba” is an address spoken by children to their fathers expressing intimacy and respect. It would not be out-of-the-question to think of it as “Dad,” or “Daddy.”

During the time before you knew God, you were slaves to powers that are not gods at all. But now, when you are just beginning to know the one True God—actually, He is showing how completely He knows you—how can you turn back to weak and worthless idols made by men, icons of these spiritual powers? Haven’t you endured enough bondage to these breathless idols?

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So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.(A)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

Formerly, when you did not know God,(B) you were slaves(C) to those who by nature are not gods.(D) But now that you know God—or rather are known by God(E)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces[a]? Do you wish to be enslaved(F) by them all over again?(G)

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 4:9 Or principles