Study Desk

Now I say, as long as the heir is a ^(F1)child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is ^(F2)owner of everything,

but he is under guardians and ^(F1)managers until the ^(F2)date set by the father.

So we too, when we were children, were held ^(C1)in bondage under the ^(F1)(C2)elementary principles of the world.

But when ^(C1)the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, ^(C2)born of a woman, born ^(C3)under ^(F1)the Law,

so that He might redeem those who were under ^(F1)the Law, that we might receive the adoption as ^(C1)sons and daughters.

Because you are sons, ^(C1)God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, "^(C2)Abba! ^(F1)Father!"

Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and ^(C1)if a son, then an heir ^(F1)through God.

However at that time, ^(C1)when you did not know God, you were ^(C2)slaves to ^(C3)those which by nature are not gods.

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be ^(C1)known by God, ^(C2)how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless ^(F1)(C3)elementary principles, to which you want to be enslaved all over again?

You ^(C1)meticulously observe days and months and seasons and years.

I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored ^(F1)over you in vain.

I beg of you, ^(C1)brothers and sisters, ^(C2)become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;

but you know that it was because of a ^(F1)bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the ^(F2)first time;

and you did not despise that which was a trial to you in my ^(F1)bodily condition, nor express contempt, but ^(C1)you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

Where then is ^(F1)that sense of blessing you had? For I testify about you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

So have I become your enemy ^(C1)by ^(F1)telling you the truth?

They eagerly seek you, not ^(F1)in a commendable way, but they want to shut you out so that you will seek them.

But it is good always to be eagerly sought ^(F1)in a commendable way, and ^(C1)not only when I am present with you.

^(C1)My children, with whom ^(C2)I am again in labor until ^(C3)Christ is formed in you—

but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone of voice, for ^(C1)I am at a loss about you!

Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not ^(C1)listen to the Law?

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, ^(C1)one by the slave woman and ^(C2)one by the free woman.

But ^(C1)the son by the slave woman ^(F1)was born according to the flesh, and ^(C2)the son by the free woman through the promise.

^(F1)(C1)This is speaking allegorically, for these women are two covenants: one coming from ^(C2)Mount Sinai giving birth to children ^(F2)who are to be ^(C3)slaves; ^(F3)she is Hagar.

Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is enslaved with her children.

But ^(C1)the Jerusalem above is free; ^(F1)she is our mother.

For it is written: "^(C1)REJOICE, INFERTILE ONE, YOU WHO DO NOT GIVE BIRTH; BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR; FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE ONE ARE MORE NUMEROUS THAN THOSE OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND."

And you, brothers and sisters, ^(C1)like Isaac, are ^(C2)children of promise.

But as at that time ^(C1)the son who was born according to the flesh ^(C2)persecuted the one who was born according to the Spirit, ^(C3)so it is even now.

But what does the Scripture say? "^(C1)DRIVE OUT THE SLAVE WOMAN AND HER SON, FOR ^(C2)THE SON OF THE SLAVE WOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN."

So then, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave woman, but of the free woman.