Preface: Not only have the Galatians been enticed to consider circumcision and following the Law of Moses, but some of them have gone back to their own heathen practices. Paul confronts them on these issues. Paul recognizes that there is a contrast between the way he was received in Galatia; but how tough he has had to be with them in this epistles. “Listen, I recognize your positive response to me, and I would like to come to you with a different tone, if possible.” Paul then finishes this chapter considering the line of the slave woman (Hagar) and the line of the free woman (Sarah).

Bible Summary: God sent his Son for us to receive adoption. How can you turn back to worthless principles? You, like Isaac, are children of promise.

This should be the most extensive examination of Galatians 4 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text.

Brief Overview:

Outline of Chapter 4:

Preface

Introduction

         vv.     1–7           Our Royal Heirship

         vv.     8–11         Some Galatians Are Returning to their Heathen Practices

         vv.    12–16         To the Galatians, Who Once Received Paul Graciously, Are You Now My Enemies?

         vv.    17–20         Paul Wants to Return to Galatia and Tone Down the Rhetoric

         vv.    21–31         The Children of Promise versus the Children of the Slave Woman

Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Preface

         Preface               Brief Overview

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Galatians 4 (by Various Commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Galatians 4 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Galatians 4

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Prequel to Galatians 4

         Introduction         The Principals of Galatians 4

         Introduction         The Places of Galatians 4

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Galatians 4

         Introduction         Outlines and Summaries of Galatians 4 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Galatians 4 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Big Picture (Galatians –)

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions

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         v.       6              The Compartments of the Heart (R. B. Thieme, Jr. from NB1)

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         v.      23              The Two Lines

         v.      23              Bible Summary Summarizes Genesis 15–18 & 21 in 140 Characters or Less

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         v.      28              The Two Lines (Part II)

         v.      28              Paul’s Spiritual Growth Over the Years

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         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Galatians 4 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Galatians 4

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Galatians 4

         Summary 

         Summary 

         Addendum          Conventional Interpretation of Isaiah 54:1–3

         Addendum          Isaiah 53 (Berean Study Bible)

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Galatians 4

         Addendum 

         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught Galatians 4

         Addendum          Word Cloud from the Kukis Paraphrase of Galatians 4

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Galatians 4

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An Introduction to Galatians 4

I ntroduction: Galatians 4 is a landmark chapter when it comes to the use of Paul’s logic. The Galatians had begun to go back to the Law of Moses and see what they might do with it to improve their status before God. This was all initiated and encouraged by the Judaizers, who spoke to them of circumcision and of keeping the Law (these two things being foundations for the spiritual life).

Paul approaches this on a number of different fronts, here and in the next chapter. Gentiles in particular were subject to the thinking of the cosmic system. God had the Jews do some evangelization (some of which is recorded in the Old Testament), but, for the most part, gentiles were slaves to the basic principles of the cosmic system.

When the time was right, God sent His Son Jesus into the world. This changed everything! If He is in our hearts (that is, if we have believed in Him), we are the sons of God in Christ Jesus.

Although the Galatians are primarily known for their legalism, there is a short section in this chapter which indicates that some of them were going back to their own old traditions. Paul worries about the Galatians and how they have gone in the wrong direction since their salvation, making Paul wonder if his time with them was in vain.

So that the Galatians do not get the wrong idea, Paul indicates his appreciation at being accepted by them, despite having a very apparent physical problem (this is apparently his eye). But they had received him so warmly; but now he is their enemy by telling them the truth?

Paul realizes that he has been quite harsh with these Galatians in this letter and he wishes that he could dial it back some; and he really desires to be in their presence teaching them.

Paul closes out this chapter with presenting an analogy taken from the Old Testament. What about Hagar and Sarah, Paul asks them; and their respective sons? Paul’s logic kicks into full gear here. And, most notably, he inserts Scripture which he does not apply in the way that it was originally applied. I found that to be interesting (this occurs quite a number of times in Scripture).

A very important part of this subject is a short examination of Paul’s logic and his theology, which essentially is the basis for all Church Age doctrine. By placing this responsibility in Paul’s lap, God affords Paul and amazing amount of responsibility.

I also ask the question, was God going to allow Paul to write the epistle to the Hebrews, but Paul cut himself off from this opportunity?

I have already come across two translations which put Moses’ name into their translation. Because of the nature of this epistle (and some others), Paul never uses the name of Moses in this epistle (Moses will not be named in Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians or either epistle to the Thessalonians). Paul’s teachings are going to be quite different from Moses, when it comes to the Law (and, to be more precise, the problem is not with Moses but with the distortions made of the Law of Moses).

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Our Royal Heirship

There are two possible ways to go when it comes to interpreting vv. 1–7. Paul just mentioned heirs at the end of Galatians 3; so, is this a continuation of what Paul is saying in chapter 3? Or, by mentioning the word heir, did Paul think of a new illustration to get his point across about law and faith?

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       I will use the Westcott-Hort Greek text as the basis for my English translation. I use that test primarily because e-sword has a nice module by Rob Wolfram which has the interlinear English text, Strong’s #’s, and the Greek morphology. The e-sword tab is IWH+P. I do not use their English text for my translation. Also, throughout, I take in consideration alternate readings.

As a young Christian, I was quite interested in the alternative readings. After many decades of study, I have found that, as with the Hebrew text, disputed readings rarely have any affect on the interpretation of a text (apart from perhaps a half-dozen fairly well-known alternate readings, like the end of the book of Mark).

I will compare the Greek text to English translations of the Latin and Syriac (= Aramaic) texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation and George Lamsa’s translation from the Syriac. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.).

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls are irrelevant, as they preceded the writing of the New Testament by over 200 years.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    Now I keep on saying, for as much time as the heir, a child he keeps on being, nothing he keeps on bearing of a slave, a lord of all he keeps on being; but under guardians he keeps on being and house managers until the appointed day of the father.

Complete Apostles’ Bible      Now I say, for as much time as the heir is a minor, he does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,

but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.

Revised Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) As long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all,

But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father.

V. Alexander’s Aramaic T.     .

Eastern Aramaic Mnscrpts     .

James Murdock’s Syriac NT But I say, that the heir, so long as he is a child, differeth not from a servant, although he is lord of all;

but he is under supervisors and stewards, until the time established by his father.

Original Aramaic NT              I say that as long as the heir is a child, he is not distinct from the Servants, though he is Master over all of them;

But he is under guardians and stewards until the time that his father has appointed.

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         .

Significant differences: 

English Translations:          I have included translations which I disagree with and footnotes that I do not necessarily agree with. If I believe that the author is too far from the truth, I may even address that at the footnote. However, nearly all of the correct commentary will be found following the Greek text box and the translation of each phrase.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             But I say that as long as the son is a child, he is in no way different from a servant, though he is lord of all; But is under keepers and managers till the time fixed by the father.

Bible in Worldwide English     Here is what I mean. When a man dies, his son is to receive his property. As long as the son is not grown up, he cannot have it. He has no more right than a servant, even though he really owns all the property.

He still has people who take care of him and he must obey them until the time set by his father.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  This is what I am saying: When young children inherit all that their father owned, they are still no different from his slaves. It doesn't matter that they own everything. While they are children, they must obey those who are chosen to care for them. But when they reach the age the father set, they are free.

God’s Word™                         Let me explain further. As long as an heir is a child, he is no better off than a slave, even though he owns everything.

He is placed under the control of guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.

Good News Bible (TEV)         But now to continue---the son who will receive his father's property is treated just like a slave while he is young, even though he really owns everything.

While he is young, there are men who take care of him and manage his affairs until the time set by his father.

The Message                         .

NIRV                                      .

New Life Version                    .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Contemporary English V.       Children who are under age are no better off than slaves, even though everything their parents own will someday be theirs. This is because children are placed in the care of guardians and teachers until the time their parents have set.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Living Translation           .

The Passion Translation        In a similar way, God has promised our ancestors something better, but as long as an heir is a minor, he’s not really much different than a servant, although he’s the master over all of them.  For until the time appointed by the father when he comes of age, the child is under the domestic supervision of the guardians of the estate.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  Now, I will further discuss children and heirs. An heir is a son who will later possess all that his father has. But as long as that heir is a child, he is like a slave whom others control. Until the day that his father has previously determined, other persons supervise the child and manage his property.

Williams’ New Testament      I mean this: As long as the heir is under age he is not a whit better off than a slave, although he is heir of all the property, but he is under guardians and trustees until the time fixed by the father.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            I say, over as much time as the inheritor is an infant, he is nothing more substantial than a slave though he is master of them all. But he is under administrators and house managers until the father's predetermined time.

Common English Bible           .

Len Gane Paraphrase           Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a servant even though he is lord of all. But is under tutors and supervisors until the designated time by the father.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles Now, I say, as long as the heir is a minor, he differs nothing from a bondman, though he be lord of all. For he is under tutors and stewards, until the time before appointed by his father.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

NT for Everyone                     .

20^th Century New Testament My point is this--As long as the heir is under age, there is no difference between him and a slave, though he is master of the whole estate. He is subject to the control of guardians and stewards, during the period for which his father has power to appoint them.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

An Understandable Version   .

Berean Study Bible                .

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    .

Evangelical Heritage V.          .

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                .

Free Bible Version                 Let me explain what I’m saying. An heir who is under-age is no different from a slave, even though the heir may be the owner of everything. An heir is subject to guardians and managers until the time set by the father.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

International Standard V        Now what I am saying is this: As long as an heir is a child, he is no better off than a slave, even though he owns everything. Instead, he is placed under the care of [The Gk. lacks the care of] guardians and servant managers until the time set by the father.

Lexham Bible                         .

Montgomery NT                     What I mean is this. As long as the heir is a child, he differs in no respect from a slave, though he be the owner of the whole inheritance; but is under the control of guardians and trustees, until the time appointed by his father.

NIV, ©2011                             .

Riverside New Testament      .

Leicester A. Sawyer’s NT      .

The Spoken English NT         .

UnfoldingWord Literal Text    But I am saying that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is owner of the entire estate. But he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.

Urim-Thummim Version         .

Weymouth New Testament    Now I say that so long as an heir is a child, he in no respect differs from a slave, although he is the owner of everything, but he is under the control of guardians and trustees until the time his father has appointed.

Wikipedia Bible Project          .

Worsley’s New Testament    .

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)     .

The Heritage Bible                 .

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible (2011)   .

New English Bible–1970        .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

New RSV                               .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Hebraic Roots Bible               But I say, over a long period of time the heir is a child, and does not differ from a slave, even though he is master of all of them.

However, he is under guardians and stewards of the house, until the time which his father has set.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    I am telling you this: while the heir is still a child, he is no different from a slave. It does not matter that the heir owns everything because, while he is a child, he must obey the people chosen to take care of him until the child reaches the age which his father set.

The Scriptures 2009              And I say, for as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and trustees till the time prearranged by the father.

Tree of Life Version                Now I am saying, so long as the heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, even though he is the owner of everything.

Instead, he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...[I] say but to whom time The Heir Young is no [thing] [He] bears {more} [than] servant Lord [of] all [men] Being but under supervisors [He] is and managers until the time (set) [of] the father...

Alpha & Omega Bible            NOW I SAY, AS LONG AS THE HEIR IS A CHILD, HE DOES NOT DIFFER AT ALL FROM A SLAVE ALTHOUGH HE IS OWNER OF EVERYTHING,

BUT HE IS UNDER GUARDIANS AND MANAGERS UNTIL THE DATE SET BY THE FATHER.

Awful Scroll Bible                   And I confirm, he lawfully-allotting, over as long a time is un-taught, thoroughly-bears not-even-one thing as a devoted slave, he being the lord of all,

however, he is under the turning-before and manager-of-the-house, until that set-beforehand of the father.

Concordant Literal Version    Now I am saying, for as much time as the enjoyer of an allotment is a minor, in nothing is he of more consequence than a slave, being master of all, but is under guardians and administrators until the time purposed by the father.

exeGeses companion Bible   FROM SERVANT TO SONSHIP

And I word,

as long time as the heir is a baby,

he surpasses not a servant - being adoni of all;

but is under managers and administrators

until the pre-appointment of the father.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           Now I say this: for however much time as the yoresh (heir) has not attained his majority (the state or time of being of full legal age, or his religious majority, his Bar Mitzvah), he differs nothing from an eved, though being Ba'al Bayit of all the nachalah (inheritance).

And he is under shomrim (guardians) and omnot (governesses) until the time previously appointed by the Ba'al Bayit.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

An Understandable Version   But as long as the person who has an inheritance coming to him is a child, he is really no better off than a slave, even though he himself is [rightfully] entitled [to the inheritance]. He is [still] under [the direction of] guardians and managers [of his affairs] until the day his father decides [to give him his inheritance].

Benjamin Brodie’s trans.       Now I say: As long as an heir remains an infant [spiritually immature], he is in no way different from a slave [spiritually in chains], although he is lord [positionally] over all [his inheritance is just sitting there waiting for him to grow up],

But remains under slave-guardians and stewards [trustees] until the time [adult son placing] appointed by his father [adoption].

The Expanded Bible              .

Jonathan Mitchell NT             Now I continue saying, for (or: upon [the length of]) as much time as the heir (the apparent possessor of the distributed allotment) is progressing from being an infant to a minor (one having either no ability, or no right, to speak; = continues being under legal age) he continues essentially differing nothing from a slave, [though] continuously being owner (lord and master) of everything (of all),

but further, he exists being under those to whom the trust is committed (guardians; ones entrusted with control and right to turn upon their charges) and house managers (stewards; administrators) until the father's previously set [time or situation].

Syndein/Thieme                     .

Translation for Translators     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         No Longer Slaves But Sons and Heirs

Now I say, for as long a time as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he [*Here “although ” is supplied as a component of the participle (“is”) which is understood as concessive] is master of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the time set by his father.

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible (2011)   .

The Passion Translation        .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

The Spoken English NT         My point is this:^a As long as the heir is a child, there’s no difference between them and a slave-even though they own everything. No, they’re under guardians and caretakers until the moment set by their father.

^a.Lit. “And I say this”.

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Sons or slaves
To proceed, as long as the heir is a child he is no different from a slave, though he is owner of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  .

Analytical-Literal Translation  Now I say, for as much time as [or, while] the heir is a minor, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is lord [or, owner] of all, but he is under guardians and trustees until the appointed time of the father.

Berean Literal Bible                .

Bond Slave Version               Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

C. Thomson updated NT        .

Charles Thomson NT             Now I say, as long as the heir is a minor, he differeth nothing from a bondman, though he be lord of all; but is under governors and guardians till the time prefixed by the Father.

Context Group Version          .

English Standard Version      .

Far Above All Translation       Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he is in no way different to a slave, although he may be lord of all, but he is under guardians and custodians until the day appointed beforehand by the father, so we too, when we were children, were enslaved under the rudiments of the world. V. 3 is included for context.

Green’s Literal Translation    But I say, Over so long a time the heir is an infant, he being lord of all, does not differ from a slave, but is under guardians and housemasters until the term set before by the father.

Literal New Testament           .

Literal Standard Version        .

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  But I am saying inasmuch time as the heir is an infant {Or: a minor. Same in 4:3}, he carries nothing of more-value-than that of a bondservant, though being lord of all; but is under commissioners and stewards till the appointed-day of the father.

Modern KJV                           But I say, Over so long a time the heir is an infant, he does not differ from a slave, though being lord of all; but he is under guardians and housemasters until the term appointed before by the father.

New American Standard B.    .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

NT (Variant Readings)           .

Niobi Study Bible                   Sons and Heirs Through Christ

Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth in nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all.

But he is under tutors (managers, guardians) and governors (administrators, supervisors) until the time appointed by the father.

Revised Young's Lit. Trans.   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      .

Updated Bible Version 2.17   But I say that so long as the heir is a juvenile, he differs nothing from a slave though he is lord of all; but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father.

Webster’s Translation           .

World English Bible                .

Worrell New Testament         .

Young’s Updated LT             .

The gist of this passage: 

1-2

Translation: Now I keep on saying, so long as the heir keeps on being a child,...

There were no chapter breaks in the original text, so what happened in Galatians 3 is continued here. Galatians 3:29 reads: And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

Who are the heirs? The believers in Galatia to whom Paul is writing. They are Abraham’s offspring (seed) and heirs according to promise.

Paul appears to be saying that they are children, if I am understanding this correctly.

Translation: ...he differs not from a servant,...

These heirs, the Galatians, do not differ from the servant, whom I believe refers to the Jewish people. They were God’s people and His servants under the Law.

Translation: ...[despite] being lord of all;...

The heirs of the promise are lords over all.

Galatians 4:1 Now I keep on saying, so long as the heir keeps on being a child, he differs not from a servant, [despite] being lord of all;... (Kukis nearly literal translation)

This appears to be the position of the heirs, as children (which is the stature of the Galatians at this time), they do not appear to be any different from the servants (and, if they chose to follow the Law of Moses, they would be even more like them).

Translation: ...but he keeps on being under guardians and house managers...

The heir keeps on under guardians and house managers, which I would understand to be Paul and those others with spiritual authority over the Galatians.

Translation: ...until the appointed day of his father.

There will come a time when it is more clear that the heir of all things is this new royal family. That time has not yet come.

Galatians 4:2 ...but he keeps on being under guardians and house managers until the appointed day of his father. (Kukis nearly literal translation)

Galatians 4:1–2 Now I keep on saying, so long as the heir keeps on being a child, he differs not from a servant, [despite] being lord of all; but he keeps on being under guardians and house managers until the appointed day of his father. (Kukis nearly literal translation)

It also occurs to me that I might be too exacting here, trying to connect the heirship previously mentioned to the heirship found here.

Let’s at least address the concept of the ancient heir here:

From Benjamin Brodie: In Greek civil law, the heir had about as much liberty as a common slave. He had no legal or property rights. His guardian kept him under discipline. He was told when to wake up, when to go to school, what to wear, how to behave, and when to go to bed. He also had a trustee to manage his property, especially if his father was deceased. Until he came of age he was called “the young master” – “master” because one day he would inherit the estate, but “young” to keep him firmly in his place. Under this system, the young master sometimes felt more like a slave than a son.

Paul may be establishing a different sort of parallel here. We will see how this progresses.

Galatians 4:1–2 This is what I am trying to say to you: as long as an heir is a child, he differs very little from the servant, despite the fact that he is lord over all. In his youth, he continues to be under guardians and house managers until the time predetermined by his father. (Kukis paraphrase)

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Here is how others have translated this passage:

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    Thus even we when we were (very young) children under the principles of the cosmos were being enslaved. Now when came in the fullness of the time, sent forth the God the Son of His, being out from a woman, being under the Law; that the ones under Law He may redeem that the (Roman) adoption (as sons) we might receive.

Complete Apostles Bible        Even so we, when we were minors, were enslaved by the elements of the world.

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

so that He might redeem those under the law, so that we might receive the adoption.

Revised Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world.

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law:

That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons.

V. Alexander’s Aramaic         .

Eastern Aramaic Manuscript  .

James Murdock’s Syriac NT So also we, while we were children, were in subordination under the elements of the world.

But when the consummation of the time arrived, God sent forth his Son; and he was from a woman, and was under the law;

that he might redeem them that were under the law; and that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Original Aramaic NT              In this way also when we were children, we were enslaved under the principles of the world.

But when the end of time arrived, God sent his Son and he was from a woman and was under The Written Law,

That he would redeem those who were under The Written Law, and that we would receive the position of children.

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         .

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             So we, when we were young, were kept under the first rules of the world; 

But when the time had come, God sent out his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 

That he might make them free who were under the law, and that we might be given the place of sons.

Bible in Worldwide English     So it is with us. Before we were grown up, we were like servants. We were just beginning to learn about the things of this world.

But when the right time came, God sent his Son to make us free. He was born by a woman during the time when men had to obey the law.

God sent him to set the people free who were under the law. God sent him so that we would receive our rights as sons of God.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  It is the same for us. We were once like children, slaves to the useless rules of this world. But when the right time came, God sent his Son, who was born from a woman and lived under the law. God did this so that he could buy the freedom of those who were under the law. God's purpose was to make us his children.

God’s Word™                         It was the same way with us. When we were children, we were slaves to the principles of this world. But when the right time came, God sent his Son into the world. A woman gave birth to him, and he came under the control of God's laws. God sent him to pay for the freedom of those who were controlled by these laws so that we would be adopted as his children.

Good News Bible (TEV)         In the same way, we too were slaves of the ruling spirits of the universe before we reached spiritual maturity. But when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son. He came as the son of a human mother and lived under the Jewish Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might become God's children.

The Message                         .

NIRV                                      .

New Life Version                    .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Contemporary English V.       That is how it was with us. We were like children ruled by the powers of this world. But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law, so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God's children.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Century Version             .

New Living Translation           .

The Passion Translation        So it is with us. When we were juveniles we were enslaved under the hostile spirits of the world.  But when that era came to an end and the time of fulfillment had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the written law.  Yet all of this was so that he would redeem and set free all those held hostage to the written law so that we would receive our freedom and a full legal adoption as his children.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  Likewise, when we were like young children, we were under the evil rules that everyone in this world lives by. Those rules controlled us like masters control their slaves. But when the time that God had determined arrived, he sent Jesus, his Son, into the world. Jesus was born to a human mother, and he had to obey the law. God sent Jesus to rescue us from the law controlling us. He did this to adopt us as his own children.

Williams’ New Testament      So when we were spiritually under age, we were slaves to the world's crude notions, but when the proper time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to law, to ransom those who were subject to law, so that we might be adopted as sons.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            In this way also, we, when we were infants, were people who had been enslaved under the world's conventional practices. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent off His Son, who became from a woman, who became under the law, so that He might purchase the people under the law so that we might receive the adoption.

Common English Bible           .

Len Gane Paraphrase           So we also, when we were children were in bondage to the principles of the world. But when the fullness of time came, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born subject to the law, to redeem those who were subject to The Law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles So, also, we, whilst we were minors, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

NT for Everyone                     .

20^th Century New Testament And so is it with us; when we were under age, as it were, we were slaves to the puerile teaching of this world; But, when the full time came, God sent his Son--born a woman's child, born subject to Law--To ransom those who were subject to Law, so that we might take our position as sons.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

An Understandable Version   .

Berean Study Bible                So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.  But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    .

Evangelical Heritage V.          .

Revised Ferrar-Fenton Bible  .

Free Bible Version                 It’s just the same for us. When we were children, we were slaves subject to the basic rules* of the law. But at the appropriate time God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the rule of law, so that he could rescue those who were kept under the rule of law, so that we could receive the inheritance of adopted children.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

Holman Christian Standard    .

International Standard V        It was the same way with us. While we were children, we were slaves to the basic principles of the world. [Or the elemental spirits of the universe] But when the appropriate time had come, God sent his Son, born by a woman, born under the Law, in order to redeem those who were under the Law, and thus to adopt them as his children.

Lexham Bible                         So also we, when we were children, we were enslaved under the elemental spirits of the world. But when the fullness of time came, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order that he might redeem those under the law, in order that we might receive the adoption.

Montgomery NT                     So we Jews also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the empty externalities of the world. But when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem from captivity those under law, in order that we might receive our sonship.

NIV, ©2011                             .

Riverside New Testament      .

Leicester A. Sawyer’s NT      .

The Spoken English NT         .

UnfoldingWord Literal Text    .

Urim-Thummim Version         Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the cosmos: But when the fullness of the time was come, Elohim sent forth his Son, appearing in history from a woman, coming into existence under the Law, to ransom them that were under the Law so that we might receive the Adoption as sons.

Weymouth New Testament    So we also, when spiritually we were children, were subject to the world's rudimentary notions, and were enslaved. But, when the time was fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born subject to Law, in order to purchase the freedom of all who were subject to Law, so that we might receive recognition as sons.

Wikipedia Bible Project          So we also were children, enslaved to our natural instincts; so when the time was right, God sent forth his son to be born of a woman and under the law, so that he might redeem those under the law and adopt us.

Worsley’s New Testament    .

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  .

The Heritage Bible                 .

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible (2011)   .

New English Bible–1970        .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

New RSV                               .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

Hebraic Roots Bible               So we also, when we were young, we were under the elements of the world, being enslaved. But when the fullness of the time came, YAHWEH sent forth His Son, having come into being out of a woman, being subject to the Torah, that He might redeem the ones under (the penalty of breaking) the Torah, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    It is the same for us. We were once like little children, slaves to the standards of this world but, when the right time came, God sent His Son. God’s Son was born from a woman; he lived under the law. God did this so that He could buy back the freedom of those who were under the law. God’s purpose was to make us His children.

The Scriptures 2009              So we also, when we were children, were under the elementary matters of the world, being enslaved.  But when the completion of the time came, Elohim sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under Torah, to redeem those who were under Torah, in order to receive the adoption as sons.

Tree of Life Version                So also, when we were underage, we were subservient to the basic principles of the world. But when the fullness of time came, God sent out His Son, born of a woman and born under law—to free those under law, so we might receive adoption as sons.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...so and We when were Young under the elements [of] the world [We] were Having Been Enslaved when but comes The Completion [of] the time sends The God the son [of] him becoming from woman becoming under law that the [men] under law [He] may redeem that the adoption [We] may receive...

Alpha & Omega Bible            SO ALSO WE, WHILE WE WERE CHILDREN, WERE HELD IN BONDAGE UNDER THE PHYSICAL THINGS OF THE WORLD.

BUT WHEN THE FULLNESS OF THE TIME CAME, THEOS (The Alpha & Omega) SENT FORTH HIS SON, BORN OF A WOMAN, BORN COVERED BY THE LAW,

SO THAT HE MIGHT REDEEM THOSE WHO WERE COVERED BY THE LAW, THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION AS SONS. †(In the Old Covenant, the keeping of the law was the best they could do to atone for sin. Animal sacrifices only temporarily atoned for sins, but only the blood of Jesus can give us sufficent insurance coverage that we will not die in the second death in the Lake of Fire. But if we do not grow & mature & bear good fruits, or if we practice a lifestyle of sin, the blood of Jesus will no longer cover us. John 15, Heb. 10:26; 1Jn. 3:4 to 1Jn. 3:10) [The Alpha & Omega Bible is an interesting translation at times, but so much of their commentary misses the mark.]

Awful Scroll Bible                   And the same-as-this, as-when we were un-taught, we were having been enslaved under the linings up of the world,

but as-when the fulfillment of the time came, God segregates-out His Son, coming to be out of a woman, coming to be under the Law,

in order that He should bring- them -from under the Law, in order that we may receive-of the putting-to-son.

Concordant Literal Version    Thus we also, when we were minors, were enslaved under the elements of the world."

Now when the full time came, God delegates His Son, come of a woman, come under law, "

that He should be reclaiming those under law, that we may be getting the place of a son."

exeGeses companion Bible   Even so thus we, when we were babies,

were subservient under the elements of the cosmos:

but when the fulness/shalom of the time came

Elohim apostolized his Son

- become of a woman - become under the torah

to market them who were under the torah

so that we take the sonship.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           So also we, when we were immature, had been enslaved under the yesodot (rudiments) of the Olam Hazeh.

But when the fullness of time had come, Hashem sent forth his Ben HaElohim [Moshiach, 2Sm 7:14; Ps 2:7; 89:27], born of an isha (Gn 3:15; Isa 7:14; Mic 5:2), born under the Torah,

That Moshiach might bring the Geulah (Redemption) to the ones under the Torah, that we might receive the Ma'amad HaBanim (the standing as sons), the bechirah adoption.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

An Understandable Version   So also, when we [Jews] were like children, we were under bondage to the basic worldly rules [of the Law of Moses]. But, when [God’s] timing fully arrived, He sent His Son, born to a woman [i.e., Mary], born during [the time when] the Law [of Moses was still in effect], so that He could buy back [from Satan] those who were [still] under [obligation to] the Law of Moses, and that we could become adopted children.

Benjamin Brodie’s trans.       In this manner, we [Jews] also, when we were infants [spiritual babes], were in a state of permanent bondage under the control of the basic precepts [fundamentals of the Mosaic Law] of the world [Jewish system].

But when the fullness of time arrived [the precise moment in God’s plan], God sent forth His Son [Jesus Christ] on a specific mission [to redeem Jews from the law, adopt Gentiles, and give both the Holy Spirit as sons], born out from a woman [emphasis on His humanity], established under the authority of the law [so He could fulfill the requirements of the legal dispensation],

In order that He might redeem those [Jews] under the authority of the law, in order that we [Gentiles] might receive the adoption,...

The Expanded Bible              .

Jonathan Mitchell NT             Thus also we ourselves, when we were progressing from infants to minors, we continued being folks having been enslaved under (or: by) the System's elementary principles (the rows, ranks and series of the organized system of culture, economy, government in secular society and religion, as well as of the world and universe; or: the rudimentary things pertaining to the cosmos).

Yet when the effect of the filling of the time came (or: that which was filled up by time reached full term), forth from out of a mission (or: from out of the midst of [Himself]), God sent-off His Son, being Himself come to be born from out of a woman, being Himself come to be born under [the rules, authority and influence of] Law,

to the end that He could (or: would) buy out (ransom; redeem; reclaim [from slavery]) those under [the] Law – so that we could and would receive and take away into possession the placing in the condition of a son (or: the deposit of the Son; the setting in place which is the Son; the constituting as a son; the placing in the Son).

P. Kretzmann Commentary    .

Syndein/Thieme                     .

Translation for Translators     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         .

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible (2011)   .

The Passion Translation        .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

The Spoken English NT         In the same way, when we were children, we were kept in slavery by the ruling spirits of the world.^b

But when the time was exactly right,^c God sent God’s own Son. He was born to a woman, and born under the Law.

That way he could pay the price to set free the people who were under the Law-so that we could receive adoption as children.

^b.Lit. “by the elements of the world”. I’m not sure, but I think Paul is saying that all nations—both the Jews and Gentiles—have been under the spiritual custody of angelic beings until the coming of Christ.

^c.Lit. “when the fullness of time came”.

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Similarly, when we were children we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.¹

But at just the right time God sent out His Son, born of a woman, born under law,

so that He might redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

(1) The only true freedom available in this life is to be a slave of Jesus Christ. In John 8:34 the Lord Jesus said, “whoever commits sin is a slave of sin”, and in verse 36, “if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed”. Sin gives Satan an entrance, and he has various instruments for binding people (see verse 8 below).

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  In the same way, when we were children, we were held in bondage under the elements of the world.  But when the time for the fulfillment came, God sent forth His own Son, born of a woman, born under law, In order that He might redeem those who are under law, so that we might receive the gift of sonship from God.

Analytical-Literal Translation  In the same way we also, when we were minors, we were under the rudimentary elements [or, basic teachings] of the world, having been enslaved. But when the fullness [or, completion] of the time came, God sent forth His Son, having been born of a woman, having been born under [the] Law, so that He should redeem [or, set free] the [ones] under [the] Law, so that we shall receive the adoption [or, the formal and legal declaration that we are His children].

Berean Literal Bible                So also, we when we were children, were held in bondage under the principles of the world.  But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, having been born of a woman, having been born under the Law, that He might redeem those under the Law, so that we might receive the divine adoption as sons.

Bond Slave Version               .

C. Thomson updated NT        .

Charles Thomson NT             .

Context Group Version          In the same way we also, when we were children, were being made slaves under the rudiments of the world: but when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born from a woman, born under the law, that he might ransom those that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

English Standard Version      .

Far Above All Translation       .

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Literal New Testament           .

Literal Standard Version        And I say, now as much time as the heir is a child, he differs nothing from a servant, [though] being lord of all,

but is under tutors and stewards until the time appointed of the father,

so we also, when we were children, were in servitude under the elements of the world,

and when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, come of a woman, come under law,

that He may redeem those under law, that we may receive the adoption as sons;

and because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

So that you are no longer a servant, but a son, and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ. Vv. 1–2 & 6–7 are included for context.

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  So also, when we were infants, having been enslaved under the elemental principles of the world, but when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born out-of a woman, born under the law, in-order-that he might buy the ones up who were under the law, in-order-that we might receive the sonship.

Modern KJV                           .

New American Standard        .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

NT (Variant Readings)           .

Niobi Study Bible                   .

Revised Young's Lit. Trans.   .

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      .

Webster’s Translation           .

World English Bible                .

Worrell New Testament         .

Young’s Updated LT             .

The gist of this passage: 

3-5

Translation: Thus, even when we were (very young) children,...

I do not believe that Paul is speaking of himself or of the Galatians at this point. I don’t think that he is looking back to when all of them were 8 or 14 or whatever. Paul is looking back on a young nation Israel, younger than Israel is today.

He is using the editorial we, even though the Galatians would not have been considered Israelites in any way. However, Paul will appear to have things which apply to the Galatians in the past and things which apply to the Israelites in the past.

Translation: ...under the fundamental principles of cosmos [Diabolicos] were enslaved [in the past with continued repercussions].

The Galatians, as a people, have been under the fundamental principles of the cosmos; we may want to call it the world, the cosmic system, or Cosmos Diabolicos. This describes a people who are removed from the truth.

Now, there is truth out there, for all groups of people, known as the laws of divine establishment. These are laws which may be fetched from the Old Testament and applied to any nation at any time. However, if these laws are rejected (as we see happening in the United States), then virtually anything goes; virtually anything is reasonable, no matter how flipping crazy it is.

You think that your 4 year old son is certain that he is a little girl, so you think it is appropriate to give the kid hormone blockers—30 years ago, this would have been universally recognized as insane, and any parent who tried to do this would have that child taken from their home. But not today. Doctors will even participate in this fiction.

You think that homosexuality is exactly like heterosexuality, except that there is simply a different attraction. Apart from that, everything else is the same? Again, 30 years ago, this would have been seen as flipping crazy. Today, large number of Americans accept this as true. And, when gay characters are written into television programs, nearly all of the time, the relationship between two gay men, or two lesbians or a male and a female are presented almost exactly the same. They aren’t; not even close to the same. And it is a fiction to assert that they are. Nevertheless, easily a third of Americans and even more see these relationships as being equivalent relationships.

This is what happens when a nation rejects Jesus Christ; and then rejects the laws of divine establishment. After that, no matter how crazy it is, it might be accepted as absolute truth. I write this in 2022, and many of us have had the experience of seeing something occur that is crazy—and being generally accepted as okay. And we think, “Well, that is it; they can’t take it any farther than that.” And then the next day, whatever crazy was before, it is doubled, overnight.

Galatians 4:3 Thus, even when we were (very young) children, under the fundamental principles of cosmos [Diabolicos] were enslaved [in the past with continued repercussions]. (Kukis nearly literal translation)

For the most part, Paul is describing the Galatians and their past, and how they were under the strong influence of the cosmic system (or of satanically influenced, human viewpoint).

Translation: Now, when the fullness of time had come,...

However, despite what was happening in Galatia before Christianity; and what was happening in Israel, which was so terrifically anti-God, God determined that the time was perfect; the time was right.

Translation: ...the God sent forth His Son,...

At that point, God sent His Son into the world. If you are reading and studying this, you realize that this is Jesus. Paul is speaking about Jesus coming into world history at just the right time and just the right place.

Translation: ...being out from a woman...

Jesus was of a woman. Now, from the beginning, the Messiah was portrayed as coming from a woman. All the way back to Genesis 3, the Messiah was to be the seed of the woman. In Isaiah, Jesus is portrayed as born of a virgin. What is this all about?

Translation: ...[and] being under the Law;...

At the time that Jesus came on the scene, He was under the Law. He lived during the dispensation of Israel; and therefore, was subject to the Mosaic Law.

Obviously Jesus never offered up an animal sacrifice because He had never sinned.

Galatians 4:4 Now, when the fullness of time had come, the God sent forth His Son, being out from a woman [and] being under the Law;... (Kukis nearly literal translation)

Translation: ...that He might redeem those under [the] Law...

Jesus’ purpose was to purchase those who were under the Law, which is all Israel. And that the Lord did when the sins of all mankind was poured out upon Him while He was on the Roman cross.

Translation: ...that we might receive adoption (as sons).

It is through what Jesus did for us that we receive adoption as sons.

The concept of Roman adoption is much different than our idea of adoption. A Roman of means or a Roman with power might look at his own sons and think, “I don’t want to leave money to those useless sons. And he may be aware of a young slave under him or even the son of someone else who is noble and hardworking. The Roman would adopt that person as his son, and whatever he was able to pass down to that son, he does.

Now God, as a Father, views many of the Jews—who ought to be His sons—and yet they did not believe in Jesus. So He will look elsewhere—outside of Israel—to find sons to adopt. The way Roman adoption works, is the father looks for a worthy young man to adopt; but we (gentiles who have believed in Jesus) are worthy because we have put on Christ. We have nothing inherently worthy in ourselves, but after believing in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit baptizes us into Him. This is how we becomes sons of God, because we are in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 4:5 ...that He might redeem those under [the] Law that we might receive adoption (as sons). (Kukis nearly literal translation)

Galatians 4:3–5 Thus, even when we were (very young) children, under the fundamental principles of cosmos [Diabolicos] were enslaved [in the past with continued repercussions]. Now, when the fullness of time had come, the God sent forth His Son, being out from a woman [and] being under the Law; that He might redeem those under [the] Law that we might receive adoption (as sons). (Kukis nearly literal translation)

At the beginning of this chapter, it was difficult to determine, now, just exactly where is Paul going with this? How should we interpret this approach? His reasoning here and in the following two verses is very clear in both the Greek and the Hebrew.

Paul, using the editorial we, says that, when we were very young children, we fell under the thinking of the cosmic system. Now, we can understand quite easily how this was true of the Galatians because, for a very long time, they were under the thinking of an heathen culture. This would refer not only to those to whom Paul was writing, but to their ancestors as well. But how does this apply to Paul? Paul also was under the thinking of an heathen culture, but his culture was a religious heathen culture—those under the false traditions of Judaism were no better off than the heathen. Both were false systems; but exhited the false thinking of the world.

However, when the time was right, God sent forth His Son. How exactly was the time right? Well, for the Galatians, they, despite being heathen, would become open to the gospel message. Now, as for the religious Jews, they had taken God’s truth and had turned it all into a lie. They were presenting a works-based religion to all Israel and to all the Jewish people. The right time means, Jesus would both expose the cosmic thinking of the religious Jews and He would, simultaneously, appeal to the gentiles, who are ready to respond to His message of truth and hope (which is, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved).

Christ would redeem those who placed themselves under the Law. By placing themselves under the Law, the Jewish people were saying, in effect, “Condemn us, O God, under your perfect Law!” So, for Jews and gentiles both, Christ came at the right time.

Galatians 4:3–5 Therefore, when we were very young children, living under the fundamental principles of the cosmic system, we found ourselves enslaved to this system with repercussions that continued into the future. Nevertheless, when it was the right time in human history, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman and born under the confines of the Law, so that He might redeem those under the Law and also so that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Kukis paraphrase)

We are not, by nature, the sons of God. We must be adopted into the family of God. For a moment in time, God’s sovereignty must line up with coincide with man’s volition. We believe in Jesus; and God simultaneously calls us to Himself. This is illustrated in parallel with the concept of Roman adoption. The wealthy man or the sovereign chooses a young man to call his son and to receive his wealth and/or position at some point in time. This man looks at his own sons and decides, “I cannot leave a lifetime of work and dedication to these idiots” and he finds someone else, whom he adopts as a son. The parallel is, God the Father looks upon the religious Jews—the very ones who persecuted Jesus and forced Rome’s hand to place Him on the Roman cross—and He cannot given them His inheritance.

The Jews were bringing the filthy works of their hands to God, and saying, “Accept these, God.” And God cannot accept the works of man; God cannot accept human good as the basis for salvation. God can only accept of perfect offering of His Son, Who not only kept the Law and lived a life without sin, but then paid for the sins of all through His blood (and by blood, I mean the judgment for sins which Jesus endured while on the Roman cross).

——————————

At this point, we get really easy text to translate, which is Paul’s conclusion, based upon what he has been saying.

Here is how others have translated this passage:

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    Now, because you (all) keep on being sons, has sent forth the God the Spirit of the Son of Him to the hearts of us, crying aloud, “Abba, the Father!” So that no more you are a slave, but a son; now if a son, then an heir through God [Byzantine Greek text: ...of God through Christ].

Complete Apostles Bible        And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"

Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.

Revised Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father.

Therefore, now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.

V. Alexander’s Aramaic         .

Eastern Aramaic Manuscript  .

James Murdock’s Syriac NT And, because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, who crieth, Father, our Father.

Wherefore, ye are no longer servants, but sons; and if sons, then heirs of God; through Jesus the Messiah.

Original Aramaic NT              But because you are children, God has sent The Spirit of his Son into your hearts, who cries, "Father, our Father".*

And therefore you are not Servants but children, and if children, also the heirs of God by Yeshua The Messiah.

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         .

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             And because you are sons, God has sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, saying, Abba, Father. 

So that you are no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, then the heritage of God is yours.

Bible in Worldwide English     Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts. The Spirit calls out, Father!

So then, because of what God has done, you are no longer a slave but you are a son. And because you are a son, you will receive what he promised.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  Since you are now God's children, he has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts. The Spirit cries out, "Abba, Father."

Now you are not slaves like before. You are God's children, and you will receive everything he promised his children.

God’s Word™                         Because you are God's children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into us to call out, "Abba! Father!"

So you are no longer slaves but God's children. Since you are God's children, God has also made you heirs.

Good News Bible (TEV)         To show that you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, "Father, my Father."

So then, you are no longer a slave but a child. And since you are his child, God will give you all that he has for his children.

The Message                         .

NIRV                                      .

New Life Version                    .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Contemporary English V.       Now that we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And his Spirit tells us that God is our Father.

You are no longer slaves. You are God's children, and you will be given what he has promised.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Century Version             .

New Living Translation           .

The Passion Translation        And so that we would know for sure that we are his true children, God released the Spirit of Sonship into our hearts—moving us to cry out intimately, “My Father! You’re our true Father!” 

Now we’re no longer living like slaves under the law, but we enjoy being God’s very own sons and daughters! And because we’re his, we can access everything our Father has—for we are heirs of God through Jesus, the Messiah!.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  Because you are now God's sons, he sent the Spirit of his Son to live in each of us. It is his Spirit who enables us to call God, "Father, our dear Father!" This shows that we are God's sons.