My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; ^2 but they remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. ^3 So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spirits^a of the world. ^4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ^5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. ^6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our^b hearts, crying, “Abba!^cFather!” ^7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.^d

Paul Reproves the Galatians

^8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods. ^9 Now, however, that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits?^e How can you want to be enslaved to them again? ^10 You are observing special days, and months, and seasons, and years. ^11 I am afraid that my work for you may have been wasted.

^12 Friends,^f I beg you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong. ^13 You know that it was because of a physical infirmity that I first announced the gospel to you; ^14 though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. ^15 What has become of the goodwill you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ^16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? ^17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you may make much of them. ^18 It is good to be made much of for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you. ^19 My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, ^20 I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

The Allegory of Hagar and Sarah

(Gen 21.8—21; Isa 54.1)

^21 Tell me, you who desire to be subject to the law, will you not listen to the law? ^22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and the other by a free woman. ^23 One, the child of the slave, was born according to the flesh; the other, the child of the free woman, was born through the promise. ^24 Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One woman, in fact, is Hagar, from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery. ^25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia^g and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. ^26 But the other woman corresponds to the Jerusalem above; she is free, and she is our mother. ^27 For it is written,

“Rejoice, you childless one, you who bear no children,

burst into song and shout, you who endure no birth pangs;

for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous

than the children of the one who is married.”

^28 Now you,^h my friends,^iare children of the promise, like Isaac. ^29 But just as at that time the child who was born according to the flesh persecuted the child who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. ^30 But what does the scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her child; for the child of the slave will not share the inheritance with the child of the free woman.” ^31 So then, friends,^j we are children, not of the slave but of the free woman.