Chapter 4

Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the master of all;

but he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father.

So we too, when we were children, were enslaved under the elements of the world.

But when the fullness of time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,

that he might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father."

So that he is no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, an heir also through God. No Return to Slavery

But then indeed, not knowing God, you served those who really are not gods.

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, which you desire to serve again?

You are observing days and months and seasons and years.

I fear for you, lest perhaps I have labored among you in vain.

Become like me, because I also have become like you, brethren, I beseech you! You have done me no wrong.

And you know that on account of a physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you formerly; and though I was a trial to you in my flesh,

you did not reject or despise me; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Where then is your self-congratulation? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your very eyes and given them to me.

Have I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

They court you from no good motive; but they would estrange you, that you may court them.

But court the good from a good motive always, and not only when I am present with you,

my dear children, with whom I am in labor again, until Christ is formed in you!

But I wish I could be with you now, and change my tone, because I do not know what to make of you. Ismael and Isaac

Tell me, you who desire to be under the Law, have you not read the Law?

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a slave-girl and the other by a free woman.

And the son of the slave-girl was born according to the flesh, but the son of the free woman in virtue of the promise.

This is said by way of allegory. For these are the two covenants: one indeed from Mount Sinai, bringing forth children unto bondage, which is Agar.

For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia, which corresponds to the present Jerusalem, and is in slavery with her children.

But that Jerusalem which is above is free, which is our mother.

For it is written, "Rejoice thou barren, that dost not bear; break forth and cry, thou that dost not travail; For many are the children of the desolate, more than of her that has a husband."

Now we, brethren, are the children of promise, as Isaac was.

But as then he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the spirit, so also it is now.

But what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the slave-girl and her son, for the son of the slave-girl shall not be heir with the son of the free woman."

Therefore, brethren, we are not children of a slave-girl, but of the free woman---in virtue of the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.