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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 4:7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/4-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/48_Gal_04_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 4:7 - Sons and Heirs" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/4-7.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/4-7.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 7</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/4-6.htm" title="Galatians 4:6">◄</a> Galatians 4:7 <a href="/galatians/4-8.htm" title="Galatians 4:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/galatians/4.htm">New International Version</a> So you are no longer a slave, but God&#8217s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. <a href="/nlt/galatians/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. <a href="/esv/galatians/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. <a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God. <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> So you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, also an heir through God. <a href="/kjv/galatians/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. <a href="/nkjv/galatians/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. <a href="/nasb_/galatians/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. <a href="/nasb/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. <a href="/nasb77/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. <a href="/lsb/galatians/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. <a href="/amp/galatians/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Therefore you are no longer a slave (bond-servant), but a son; and if a son, then also an heir through [the gracious act of] God [through Christ]. <a href="/csb/galatians/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. <a href="/asv/galatians/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. <a href="/cev/galatians/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You are no longer slaves. You are God's children, and you will be given what he has promised. <a href="/erv/galatians/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. <a href="/gwt/galatians/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So you are no longer slaves but God's children. Since you are God's children, God has also made you heirs. <a href="/gnt/galatians/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> So then, you are no longer a slave but a child. And since you are his child, God will give you all that he has for his children. <a href="/isv/galatians/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if you are a child, then you are also an heir because of what God did. <a href="/net/galatians/4.htm">NET Bible</a> So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if you are a son, then you are also an heir through God. <a href="/nheb/galatians/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God. <a href="/wbt/galatians/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir also through God's own act.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/galatians/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir of God through Christ. <a href="/web/galatians/4.htm">World English Bible</a> So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> So that you are no longer a servant, but a son, and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ. <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> So you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, also an heir through God. <a href="/ylt/galatians/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> so that thou art no more a servant, but a son, and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ. <a href="/slt/galatians/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> So that thou art no more a servant, but a son: and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And so now he is not a servant, but a son. But if he is a son, then he is also an heir, through God. <a href="/nabre/galatians/4.htm">New American Bible</a> So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> From now on you are not servants but sons; and if sons, then heirs of God through Jesus Christ. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And therefore you are not Servants but children, and if children, also the heirs of God by Yeshua The Messiah.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> So, then, you are no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, an heir also of God, through Christ.<CM> <a href="/godbey/galatians/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> So you are no longer a servant but a son; and if a son, truly an heir through God. <a href="/haweis/galatians/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Therefore thou art no more a slave, but a son, and if a son, an heir also of God through Christ.<CM> <a href="/mace/galatians/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> so that thou art no longer a bond servant, but a son: and if a son, then an heir of God thro' Christ. <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir also through God's own act. <a href="/worrell/galatians/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> So that you are no longer a slave, but a son; and, if a son, also an heir through God. <a href="/worsley/galatians/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> So that thou art no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, an heir also of God through Christ. <a href="/parallel/galatians/4-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=750" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Sons and Heirs</a> …6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7<a href="/greek/5620.htm" title="5620: hōste (Conj) -- So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore.">So</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ei (V-PIA-2S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">you are</a> <a href="/greek/3765.htm" title="3765: ouketi (Adv) -- No longer, no more. Also ouk eti from ou and eti; not yet, no longer.">no longer</a> <a href="/greek/1401.htm" title="1401: doulos (N-NMS) -- (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.">a slave,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: huios (N-NMS) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">a son;</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">and</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">since you are</a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: huios (N-NMS) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">a son,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">you are also</a> <a href="/greek/2818.htm" title="2818: klēronomos (N-NMS) -- From kleros and the base of nomos (reflexively) getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, i.e. Inheritor; by implication, a possessor.">an heir</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">through</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God.</a> 8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/8-16.htm">Romans 8:16-17</a> The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. / And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. <a href="/john/1-12.htm">John 1:12-13</a> But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— / children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. <a href="/ephesians/1-5.htm">Ephesians 1:5</a> He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, <a href="/1_john/3-1.htm">1 John 3:1-2</a> Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. / Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. <a href="/romans/8-14.htm">Romans 8:14-15</a> For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. / For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” <a href="/2_corinthians/6-18.htm">2 Corinthians 6:18</a> And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” <a href="/hebrews/2-10.htm">Hebrews 2:10-11</a> In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. / For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. <a href="/1_peter/1-3.htm">1 Peter 1:3-4</a> Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, / and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, <a href="/titus/3-7.htm">Titus 3:7</a> so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life. <a href="/colossians/1-12.htm">Colossians 1:12</a> giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. <a href="/matthew/5-9.htm">Matthew 5:9</a> Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. <a href="/revelation/21-7.htm">Revelation 21:7</a> The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. <a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Genesis 15:1-6</a> After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” / But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” / Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.” ... <a href="/exodus/4-22.htm">Exodus 4:22-23</a> Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son, / and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’” <a href="/deuteronomy/14-1.htm">Deuteronomy 14:1-2</a> You are sons of the LORD your God; do not cut yourselves or shave your foreheads on behalf of the dead, / for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Why you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.thou.<a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">Galatians 4:1,2,5,6,31</a> Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; … <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a> Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.but.<a href="/galatians/3-26.htm">Galatians 3:26</a> For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.if.<a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a> And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.<a href="/romans/8-16.htm">Romans 8:16,17</a> The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: … heir.<a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Genesis 15:1</a> After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.<a href="/genesis/17-7.htm">Genesis 17:7,8</a> And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee… <a href="/psalms/16-5.htm">Psalm 16:5</a> The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_corinthians/13-10.htm">Act</a> <a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">Bondservant</a> <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">God's</a> <a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">Heir</a> <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/galatians/3-25.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ephesians/2-10.htm">Act</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-24.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/philippians/2-7.htm">Bondservant</a> <a href="/galatians/4-14.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/galatians/5-21.htm">God's</a> <a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Heir</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-11.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/galatians/4-16.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/galatians/4-31.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 4</div>1. <a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">We were under the law till Christ came, as the heir is under the guardian till he be of age.</a> 5. <a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">But Christ freed us from the law;</a> 7. <a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">therefore we are servants no longer to it.</a> 14. <a href="/galatians/4-14.htm">Paul remembers the Galatians' good will to him, and his to them;</a> 22. <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">and shows that we are the sons of Abraham by the freewoman.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/galatians/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So you are no longer a slave In the context of Galatians, Paul addresses the Galatian believers who were being influenced by Judaizers to adhere to the Mosaic Law for salvation. The term "slave" here refers to being under the bondage of the law and sin. In the Roman world, slavery was a common institution, and slaves had no legal rights or inheritance. Paul uses this imagery to contrast the believer's former state under the law with their new status in Christ. This echoes Jesus' teaching in <a href="/john/8-34.htm">John 8:34-36</a>, where He speaks of setting people free from the slavery of sin.but a son The transition from slavery to sonship signifies a profound change in relationship and status. In Roman culture, adoption was a legal practice that granted the adopted child full rights and privileges of a biological son, including inheritance. This concept is mirrored in the spiritual adoption believers receive through faith in Christ, as seen in <a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Romans 8:15-17</a>. The term "son" implies intimacy, belonging, and a personal relationship with God, contrasting with the impersonal nature of slavery.and since you are a son This phrase emphasizes the certainty and permanence of the believer's new identity. The use of "since" indicates a logical conclusion based on the previous statement. The assurance of sonship is rooted in the work of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in <a href="/galatians/4-6.htm">Galatians 4:6</a>. This assurance is not based on human effort or adherence to the law but on God's grace and promise.you are also an heir through God Being an heir implies receiving an inheritance, which in biblical terms includes eternal life, the kingdom of God, and all spiritual blessings in Christ (<a href="/ephesians/1-3.htm">Ephesians 1:3-14</a>). The inheritance is not earned but given through God's promise, as seen in the Abrahamic covenant (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a>). This inheritance is secure and guaranteed by the Holy Spirit, as stated in <a href="/ephesians/1-13.htm">Ephesians 1:13-14</a>. The phrase "through God" underscores that this inheritance is made possible by God's initiative and grace, not by human merit.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the letter to the Galatians, addressing the churches in the region of Galatia. Paul is emphasizing the transition from the old covenant of the law to the new covenant of grace through faith in Christ. 2. <a href="/topical/g/galatians.htm">Galatians</a> The recipients of the letter, who were being influenced by Judaizers to adhere to Jewish law in addition to their faith in Christ. 3. <a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a> A group of Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile converts must follow the Mosaic Law, including circumcision, to be true Christians. 4. <a href="/topical/s/sonship.htm">Sonship</a> The concept of believers being adopted as sons of God, which is central to Paul's argument in Galatians. This reflects a change in status from slaves to sons and heirs. 5. <a href="/topical/h/heir.htm">Heir</a> In the context of this passage, an heir is someone who inherits the promises of God, including eternal life and the blessings of being part of God's family.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/i/identity_in_christ.htm">Identity in Christ</a> As believers, our identity is transformed from slaves to sons. This change in status is not based on our works but on our faith in Christ and God's grace. <a href="/topical/f/freedom_from_the_law.htm">Freedom from the Law</a> We are no longer bound by the law as a means of justification. Our relationship with God is based on grace, freeing us from the burden of legalism. <a href="/topical/i/inheritance_through_faith.htm">Inheritance through Faith</a> As heirs, we have a guaranteed inheritance in Christ, which includes eternal life and the blessings of being part of God's family. This should give us hope and assurance in our daily lives. <a href="/topical/l/living_as_sons_and_heirs.htm">Living as Sons and Heirs</a> Our status as sons and heirs should influence how we live, encouraging us to walk in the Spirit and reflect the character of our Heavenly Father. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_the_body_of_christ.htm">Unity in the Body of Christ</a> Understanding our shared sonship should foster unity among believers, breaking down barriers of race, culture, and social status.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 4</a> <a href="/q/what_is_an_heir_in_the_bible.htm">What does being an heir mean in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_blessing_and_birthright_differ.htm">How do a blessing and a birthright differ?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_galatians_4_22-23_and_genesis_differ.htm">Why does Galatians 4:22-23, referring to Abraham's two sons, contradict other accounts of their significance in Genesis?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_muscular_christianity.htm">What is the meaning of Galatians 3:28?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) Thus, by your redemption, adoption, and the gift of the Spirit, it is distinctly proved that the old state of servitude and minority is past. You have entered upon the full privileges of the adult son. And the son is also called to the Messianic inheritance.Thou.--The singular is used in order to individualise the expression and bring it home pointedly to each of the readers.No more.--Since the coming of Christ, and your own acceptance of Christianity.If a son, then an heir . . .--The Roman law (which the Apostle seems to be following) treated all the sons as heirs, and provided for an equal division of the property between them.Of God through Christ.--The true reading here appears to be, through God--a somewhat unusual expression. The Christian is admitted as an heir, not through any merits of his own, but through the process of redemption and adoption wrought for him by God.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 7. - Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son (ὥστε οὐκ ἔτι εῖ δοῦλος ἀλλ υἱός); so then, no longer art thou a bondservant, but a son. "Ωστε, properly "so that," is frequently used by St. Paul for" so then" or "wherefore," to state a final conclusion (cf. ver. 16, below; <a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a>; <a href="/romans/7-4.htm">Romans 7:4</a>, etc.). It here marks the conclusion resulting from the statements of the preceding six verses, viz. of God having sent forth his Son to do away with the Law, subjection to which had marked the nonage of his people, and to raise them to their complete filial position, and of his then sending forth his Spirit into their hearts loudly protesting their sonship. "No longer art thou;" by this individualizing address the apostle strives to awaken each individual believer to the consciousness of the filial position belonging to him in particular. Believe it: in Christ Jesus, thou, thine own very self, art a son! The phrase, "no longer," marks the position of God's servant new, as compared with what it would have been before Christ had wrought his emancipating work and the Holy Spirit had been sent forth as the Spirit of adoption; then he would have still been a bond-servant; he is not that now. This abrupt singling out one individual as a sample of all the members of a class is an instance of the δεινότης of St. Paul's style (comp. <a href="/romans/11-17.htm">Romans 11:17</a>; <a href="/romans/12-20.htm">Romans 12:20</a>; <a href="/romans/13-4.htm">Romans 13:4</a>; <a href="/romans/14-4.htm">Romans 14:4</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/4-7.htm">1 Corinthians 4:7</a>). The individual cited by the "thou" is neither a Gentile convert only nor a Jewish believer only; it is any member of God's kingdom. "A son," a member of God's family, an οἰκεῖος τοῦ Θεοῦ (<a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Ephesians 2:19</a>), one free of all law of bondage and in full possession of a son's privileges; no sinner, now, under his Father's frown; but accepted, beloved, cherished, honoured with his Father's confidence. And if a son, then an heir of God through Christ (ei) de\ ui(o/ kai\ κληρονόμος διὰ Θεοῦ [Receptus, κληρονόμος Θεοῦ διὰ Ξριστοῦ; and if a son, an heir also through God. So <a href="/romans/8-17.htm">Romans 8:17</a>, "And if children (τέκνα), heirs also; heirs of God, joint-heirs with Christ." The inheritance here meant is the possession of every blessing which the theocratic kingdom entitles its members to look forward to. And the point of this added clause is that no further qualification is needed for our having a vested right in that inheritance, than that which is supplied by faith in Christ, uniting us to him and making us sharers with him; no such qualification, for example, as the Mosaizing reactionaries insisted upon (see <a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Acts 15:1</a>); no observance of ceremonial rites, whether of the Law or of such freaks of heretical" will-worship" as are referred to in <a href="/colossians/2-23.htm">Colossians 2:23</a>. Thy faith in Christ (says in effect the apostle) gives thee now for good and all an assured place in whatever inheritance God designs to give his people. The manuscripts 'rod other authorities for the text present considerable variety in the reading of the last words of this clause. The reading adopted by L. T. Tr., Meyer, Alford, Lightfoot, and Hort and Westcott, namely, κληρονόμος διὰ Θεοῦ, is that found in the three oldest uncials, and presents a form of expression which was likely so greatly to surprise the copyist as to set him naturally upon the work of revision; whereas that of the Received Text, κληρονόμος Θεοῦ διὰ Ξριστοῦ, would have seemed to him so perfectly natural and easy that he would never have thought of altering it. The words, "heir through God," taken in connection with the foregoing context, insist upon the especial appointment of the supreme God himself; his intervention displayed in the most conspicuous manner conceivable, through the incarnated Son and the sent-forth Spirit. The believer is here said to be a son and an heir "through God," in the same sense as St. Paul affirms himself to be an apostle "through Jesus Christ and God the Father," and "through the will of God" (<a href="/galatians/1-1.htm">Galatians 1:1</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/1-1.htm">1 Corinthians 1:1</a>); for "of him and through him and unto him are all things," and most manifestedly so, the things composing the economy of grace which the gospel announces (<a href="/romans/11-36.htm">Romans 11:36</a>). The apostle has thus brought back his discourse to the same point which it had reached before in <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a>. The reader will do well to carefully compare this section of the Epistle (vers. 3-7) with <a href="/romans/7-25.htm">Romans 7:25-8:4</a> and Romans 8:14-17. With great similarity in the forms of expression, the difference of the apostle's object in the two Epistles is clearly discerned. There he is discoursing the more prominently of the believer's emancipation from the controlling power of a sinful nature, which, under the Law, viewed under its moral aspect rather than its ceremonial, was rather fretted into yet more aggravated disobedience than quelled or overpowered. Here his subject is more prominently the believer's emancipation from the thraldom of the Law's cere-monialism, which in the present Epistle, relative to the troubles in the Galatian Churches, he has more occasion to deal with. Both the one deliverance, however, and the other was necessary for the believer's full consciousness of adoptive sonship; and each was, in fact, involved in the other. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/4-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>So ὥστε (hōste) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_5620.htm">Strong's 5620: </a> So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore. you are εἶ (ei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. no longer οὐκέτι (ouketi) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3765.htm">Strong's 3765: </a> No longer, no more. Also ouk eti from ou and eti; not yet, no longer. a slave, δοῦλος (doulos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1401.htm">Strong's 1401: </a> (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. a son; υἱός (huios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship. and δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. since [you are] εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. a son, υἱός (huios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship. [you are] also καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. an heir κληρονόμος (klēronomos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2818.htm">Strong's 2818: </a> From kleros and the base of nomos (reflexively) getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, i.e. Inheritor; by implication, a possessor. through διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. God. Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/4-7.htm">Galatians 4:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/4-7.htm">Galatians 4:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/4-7.htm">Galatians 4:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/4-7.htm">Galatians 4:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/4-7.htm">Galatians 4:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/4-7.htm">Galatians 4:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/4-7.htm">Galatians 4:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/4-7.htm">Galatians 4:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/4-7.htm">Galatians 4:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/4-7.htm">Galatians 4:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 4:7 So you are no longer a bondservant (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/4-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 4:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 4:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/4-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 4:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 4:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>