Chapter 4

Christ hath freed us from the servitude of the law: we are the free-born sons of Abraham.

1. 1

   Now I say, As long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all:

2. 2

   But is under tutors and governors, until the time appointed by the father.

3. 3

   So we also, when we were children, were in bondage, under the elements of the world.

4. 4

   But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law:

5. 5

   That he might redeem those who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6. 6

   And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father.

7. 7

   Therefore, now he is no more a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.

8. 8

   But then, indeed, not knowing God, you served them, who, by nature, are no gods.

9. 9

   But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God; how turn you again to the weak and needy elements, which you desire to serve again?

10. 10

    You observe days and months, and times, and years.

11. 11

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

12. 12

    Be ye as I, for I also am as you: brethren, I beseech you; you have not injured me at all.

13. 13

    And you know how, through infirmity of the flesh, I preached the gospel to you heretofore: and your temptation in my flesh

14. 14

    You despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an Angel of God, as Christ Jesus.

15. 15

    Where is then your blessedness? For I bear you witness, that, if it could be done, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and would have given them to me.

16. 16

    Am I then become your enemy in telling you the truth?

17. 17

    They are zealous in your regard not well: but they would exclude you, that you might be zealous for them.

18. 18

    But be zealous for that which is good in a good thing always; and not only when I am present with you.

19. 19

    My little children, of whom I am in labor again, until Christ be formed in you.

20. 20

    And I would willingly be present with you now, and change my voice: because I am ashamed for you.

21. 21

    Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, have you not read the law?

22. 22

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

23. 23

    But he that was by the bond-woman, was born according to the flesh; but he by the free-woman, according to the promise.

24. 24

    Which things are said by an allegory. For these are the two testaments. The one indeed on Mount Sina, bringing forth unto bondage, which is Agar.

25. 25

    For Sina is a mountain in Arabia, which hath an affinity with that Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26. 26

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

27. 27

    For it is written: Rejoice, thou barren, that bearest not; break forth and cry out, thou that travailest not; for many are the children of the desolate, more than of her that hath a husband.

28. 28

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

29. 29

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

30. 30

    But what saith the scripture? Cast out the bond-woman and her son; for the son of the bond-woman shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman.

31. 31

    Therefore, brethren, we are not the children of the bond-woman, but of the free; by the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.