Sons and Heirs

(Genesis 21:1-8; Romans 8:12-17)

1Now I say, As long as the heir is a child, he differs nothing from a bondman, though he be lord of all; 2but he is under guardians and stewards until the period fixed by the father. 3So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the principles of the world; 4but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, come of woman, come under law, 5that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive sonship. 6But because ye are sons, God has sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7So thou art no longer bondman, but son; but if son, heir also through God.

Paul's Concern for the Galatians

8But then indeed, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods; 9but now, knowing God, but rather being known by God, how do ye turn again to the weak and beggarly principles to which ye desire to be again anew in bondage? 10Ye observe days and months and times and years. 11I am afraid of you, lest indeed I have laboured in vain as to you.

12Be as I [am], for I also [am] as ye, brethren, I beseech you: ye have not at all wronged me. 13But ye know that in weakness of the flesh I announced the glad tidings to you at the first; 14and my temptation, which [was] in my flesh, ye did not slight nor reject with contempt; but ye received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15What then [was] your blessedness? for I bear you witness that, if possible, plucking out your own eyes ye would have given [them] to me. 16So I have become your enemy in speaking the truth to you? 17They are not rightly zealous after you, but desire to shut you out [from us], that ye may be zealous after them. 18But [it is] right to be zealous at all times in what is right, and not only when I am present with you -- 19my children, of whom I again travail in birth until Christ shall have been formed in you: 20and I should wish to be present with you now, and change my voice, for I am perplexed as to you.

Hagar and Sarah

21Tell me, ye who are desirous of being under law, do ye not listen to the law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons; one of the maid servant, and one of the free woman. 23But he [that was] of the maid servant was born according to flesh, and he [that was] of the free woman through the promise. 24Which things have an allegorical sense; for these are two covenants: one from mount Sinai, gendering to bondage, which is Hagar. 25For Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which [is] now, for she is in bondage with her children; 26but the Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother.

27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break out and cry, thou that travailest not; because the children of the desolate are more numerous than [those] of her that has a husband.

28But ye, brethren, after the pattern of Isaac, are children of promise. 29But as then he that was born according to flesh persecuted him [that was born] according to Spirit, so also [it is] now.

30But what says the scripture? Cast out the maid servant and her son; for the son of the maid servant shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.

31So then, brethren, we are not maid servant's children, but [children] of the free woman.