Live Like a Child of God – Galatians 3:26-4:20
3 (26) You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus; (27) for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, and with regard to the promise you are heirs.
4 Now I tell you that as long as the heir is a minor, he is no different than a slave, even though he is lord of all; (2) but he is under various guardians and trustees until the date appointed by his father. (3) So we, too, when we were minors, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world. (4) But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth his Son, born by means of a woman, born under the law, (5) so that he might redeem those who were under the law and so that we might be adopted as sons. (6) Now because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, and he is crying out to God, Abba, Father. (7) So then, you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir—this is through God.
(8) At that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those spirits* who by nature are not gods. (9) But now that you know God—or, rather, are known by God—how is it that you are reverting back again to the weak and worthless rudiments all over again? (10) You are observing days and months and seasons and years. (11) I have fears concerning you, that somehow I have labored among you in vain.
(12) Become as I am, because I also became as you are. Brothers, I plead this of you. In no way have you treated me unjustly. (13) You know that it was because of a physical malady that I preached the gospel to you the first time. (14) Even though my physical condition was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. On the contrary, you received me as though I were an angel from God, as though I were Christ Jesus himself. (15) What has happened to your sense of blessing? for I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. (16) Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
(17) They are zealously courting you; but not for your benefit. On the contrary, they desire to exclude you, so that you will zealously court them. (18) Now it is always good to be zealously courted for a good purpose—and not only when I am present with you.
(19) My little children—with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—(20) I wish I could be present with you now and change my language, because I am disturbed about you.
*Literally, “to those”
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
