Translation
And I say that while the heir is still a child, he is no different than a slave, even though he is the master of everyone. But he is under the steward or manager of the house until the time set by the father. Just so we, when we were children, have been slaves under the elements of the world; but when the fullness of time came, God sent out his son, being born of a woman, being born under the law, in order that he migh set free the ones under the law, in order they might receive sonship. And because you are sons, God sent out the spirit of his son into our hearts, which cries out Abba, father. Therefore, you are no longer a slave, but a son. And if you are a son, you are an heir through God.
Reflections
I think the part of this text that strikes me most profoundly isn’t the same as what would have jumped out to the first readers. I imagine they would gave been startled and stunned by the talk of being set free from the law, which surely bordered on heresy to some in Galatia, if not overshot the border by a long mile.
To me, and I’m sure to them as well though, the talk of God giving us a spirit of sonship, of placing the spirit of his son in our very hearts so that we cry out to God as our father…that is powerful language. God brings us into his very family.
As an adoptive father, this passage reads a little strongly to me tonight. O how the Father loves us! Celebrate the reality of the gospel my friends! God loves us as his very own children! It is true, God loves us very much indeed!
