Galatians 3:15–4:11

15 Brothers and sisters, I’m using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to a validated human will.O 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed,P,at who is Christ. 17 My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later,au does not invalidate a covenant previously established by GodQ and thus cancel the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise; but God has graciously given it to Abraham through the promise.

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

19 Why, then, was the law given?a It was added for the sake of transgressionsA until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angelsb by means of a mediator.c 20 Now a mediator is not just for one person alone, but God is one.d 21 Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if the law had been granted with the ability to give life, then righteousness would certainly be on the basis of the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin’s power,B,e so that the promise might be given on the basis of faithf in Jesus Christ to those who believe.g 23 Before this faithh came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed.i 24 The law, then, was our guardian until Christ,j so that we could be justified by faith. 25 But since that faithk has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus.

SONS AND HEIRS

27 For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.l 28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free,m male and female;n since you are all oneo in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirsp according to the promise.q 4 Now I say that as long as the heirr is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owners of everything. 2 Instead, he is under guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elementsC of the world.t 4 When the time came to completion, God sent his Son,u born of a woman,v born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.w 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Sonx into ourD hearts, crying, “Abba,E Father!”y 7 So you are no longer a slavez but a son,aa and if a son, then God has made you an heir.ab

PAUL’S CONCERN FOR THE GALATIANS

8 But in the past, since you didn’t know God,ac you were enslaved to thingsF that by nature are not gods. 9 But now, since you know God,ad or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthlessae elements?af Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? 10 You are observing special days, months, seasons, and years.ag 11 I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.