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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 4:1 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/4-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/48_Gal_04_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 4:1 - Sons and Heirs" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything." /><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><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/4-1.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/4-1.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 1</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="/ad1.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/3-29.htm" title="Galatians 3:29">◄</a> Galatians 4:1 <a href="/galatians/4-2.htm" title="Galatians 4:2">►</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> What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. <a href="/nlt/galatians/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. <a href="/esv/galatians/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, <a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything. <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now I say, for as long a time as the heir is a child, he differs not from a slave, though being owner of everything. <a href="/kjv/galatians/4.htm">King James Bible</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="/nkjv/galatians/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, <a href="/nasb_/galatians/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is owner of everything, <a href="/nasb/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, <a href="/nasb77/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, <a href="/lsb/galatians/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, <a href="/amp/galatians/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now what I mean [when I talk about children and their guardians] is this: as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave even though he is the [future owner and] master of all [the estate]; <a href="/csb/galatians/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. <a href="/asv/galatians/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all; <a href="/cev/galatians/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Children who are under age are no better off than slaves, even though everything their parents own will someday be theirs. <a href="/erv/galatians/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant, though he is lord of all; <a href="/gwt/galatians/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Let me explain further. As long as an heir is a child, he is no better off than a slave, even though he owns everything. <a href="/gnt/galatians/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> But now to continue--the son who will receive his father's property is treated just like a slave while he is young, even though he really owns everything. <a href="/isv/galatians/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now what I am saying is this: As long as an heir is a child, he is no better off than a slave, even though he owns everything. <a href="/msb/galatians/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything. <a href="/net/galatians/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Now I mean that the heir, as long as he is a minor, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. <a href="/nheb/galatians/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, though he is lord of all; <a href="/wbt/galatians/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he is lord of all; <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now I say that so long as an heir is a child, he in no respect differs from a slave, although he is the owner of everything, <a href="/web/galatians/4.htm">World English Bible</a> But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And I say, now as much time as the heir is a child, he differs nothing from a servant, [though] being lord of all, <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now I say, for as long a time as the heir is a child, he differs not from a slave, though being owner of everything. <a href="/ylt/galatians/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And I say, so long time as the heir is a babe, he differeth nothing from a servant -- being lord of all, <a href="/slt/galatians/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And I say, for as long time as the heir is a child, he differs nothing from a servant, being lord of all;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; <a href="/cpdv/galatians/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But I say that, during the time an heir is a child, he is no different from a servant, even though he is the owner of everything. <a href="/nabre/galatians/4.htm">New American Bible</a> I mean that as long as the heir is not of age, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything, <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> NOW this I say, That the heir as long as he is young, cannot be distinguished from the servants, though he is the lord of them all. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> I say that as long as the heir is a child, he is not distinct from the Servants, though he is Master over all of them;<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But I say, that the heir, as long as he is a minor, differs in no respect from a servant, though he is owner of all; <a href="/godbey/galatians/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But I say, so long as the heir is an infant, he differs not from a slave, being lord of all things, <a href="/haweis/galatians/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> NOW I affirm, that as long as the heir is an infant, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be master of all; <a href="/mace/galatians/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, is in a state of servitude, tho' he is to be lord of all; <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now I say that so long as an heir is a child, he in no respect differs from a slave, although he is the owner of everything, <a href="/worrell/galatians/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But I say that, so long as the heir is a child, he differs in nothing from a slave, though he is lord of all; <a href="/worsley/galatians/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Now as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he is to be lord of all: <a href="/parallel/galatians/4-1.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=704" 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> 1<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">What</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: Legō (V-PIA-1S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">I am saying is that</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: eph’ (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">as long as</a> <a href="/greek/3745.htm" title="3745: hoson (RelPro-AMS) -- How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As."></a> <a href="/greek/5550.htm" title="5550: chronon (N-AMS) -- A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</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.">heir</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3516.htm" title="3516: nēpios (Adj-NMS) -- From an obsolete particle ne- and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant; figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian.">a child,</a> <a href="/greek/1308.htm" title="1308: diapherei (V-PIA-3S) -- From dia and phero; to bear through, i.e. transport; usually to bear apart, i.e. to toss about; subjectively, to differ, or surpass.">he is no different</a> <a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: ouden (Adj-ANS) -- No one, none, nothing. "></a> <a href="/greek/1401.htm" title="1401: doulou (N-GMS) -- (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.">from a slave,</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">although he is</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: kyrios (N-NMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">the owner</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantōn (Adj-GNP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">of everything.</a> 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.…<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/8-17.htm">Romans 8:17</a> 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="/hebrews/1-2.htm">Hebrews 1:2</a> But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. <a href="/ephesians/1-11.htm">Ephesians 1:11</a> In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, <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="/1_corinthians/3-21.htm">1 Corinthians 3:21-23</a> Therefore, stop boasting in men. All things are yours, / whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you, / and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Romans 4:13-14</a> For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. / For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless, <a href="/hebrews/9-15.htm">Hebrews 9:15</a> Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. <a href="/1_peter/1-4.htm">1 Peter 1:4</a> and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, <a href="/john/8-35.htm">John 8:35</a> A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever. <a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Romans 8:15</a> 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="/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="/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38</a> But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’ <a href="/luke/15-31.htm">Luke 15:31</a> ‘Son, you are always with me,’ the father said, ‘and all that is mine is yours. <a href="/genesis/21-10.htm">Genesis 21:10</a> and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!” <a href="/genesis/25-5.htm">Genesis 25:5-6</a> Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. / But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;That.<a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Galatians 4:23,29</a> But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise… <a href="/genesis/24-2.htm">Genesis 24:2,3</a> And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: … <a href="/2_kings/10-1.htm">2 Kings 10:1,2</a> And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab's children, saying, … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/2-3.htm">Although</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-11.htm">Babe</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-16.htm">Better</a> <a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/galatians/1-10.htm">Bondservant</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-8.htm">Child</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-41.htm">Differ</a> <a href="/galatians/1-9.htm">Different</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-41.htm">Differeth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-41.htm">Differs</a> <a href="/romans/12-16.htm">Estate</a> <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Heir</a> <a href="/galatians/3-17.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/acts/27-11.htm">Owner</a> <a href="/acts/21-11.htm">Owns</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-13.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/galatians/2-1.htm">Time</a> <a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ephesians/3-8.htm">Although</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-15.htm">Babe</a> <a href="/galatians/5-20.htm">Better</a> <a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">Bondservant</a> <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Child</a> <a href="/philippians/1-9.htm">Differ</a> <a href="/philippians/3-15.htm">Different</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-41.htm">Differeth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-40.htm">Differs</a> <a href="/colossians/4-8.htm">Estate</a> <a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">Heir</a> <a href="/galatians/5-16.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/exodus/21-3.htm">Owner</a> <a href="/genesis/23-9.htm">Owns</a> <a href="/galatians/4-12.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/galatians/4-2.htm">Time</a> <a href="/galatians/4-17.htm">Way</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>What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child In this passage, Paul uses the metaphor of an heir to illustrate the spiritual condition of believers before coming to faith in Christ. The concept of an heir is rooted in the legal and cultural practices of the time, where a child, though destined to inherit, had no authority or control over the estate until reaching maturity. This reflects the Jewish understanding of coming of age, where a child transitions to adulthood and assumes full rights and responsibilities. Theologically, this represents the period before the coming of Christ, when the law served as a guardian.he is no different from a slave Paul emphasizes the lack of freedom and authority a child heir has, equating it to the status of a slave. In Roman and Jewish cultures, slaves had no legal rights or inheritance. This analogy highlights the limitations and bondage under the law, where individuals were bound by its requirements without the full realization of their inheritance in Christ. The comparison underscores the transformative power of the gospel, which liberates believers from the constraints of the law.although he is the owner of everything Despite the child's current status, he is the rightful owner of the estate. This points to the potential and future promise inherent in the heir. Spiritually, it signifies the believer's position in Christ, who, though once under the law, is now an heir to the promises of God through faith. This echoes the biblical theme of inheritance found in passages like <a href="/romans/8-17.htm">Romans 8:17</a>, where believers are described as co-heirs with Christ, highlighting the fullness of the spiritual blessings available to them.<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. 2. <a href="/topical/h/heir.htm">Heir</a> Represents believers who are promised an inheritance in Christ but are still under the law as children. 3. <a href="/topical/c/child.htm">Child</a> Symbolizes immaturity and lack of full rights, akin to believers before coming into the fullness of their inheritance in Christ. 4. <a href="/topical/s/slave.htm">Slave</a> Used metaphorically to describe the condition of being under the law, lacking freedom and full rights. 5. <a href="/topical/g/galatia.htm">Galatia</a> A region in Asia Minor where the churches addressed in this letter were located.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_maturity.htm">Understanding Spiritual Maturity</a> Just as a child is not ready to manage an inheritance, believers must grow in their faith to fully embrace their identity in Christ. <a href="/topical/f/freedom_from_the_law.htm">Freedom from the Law</a> The metaphor of a child as a slave underlines the limitations of living under the law, pointing to the freedom found in Christ. <a href="/topical/i/identity_in_christ.htm">Identity in Christ</a> Recognize that as believers, we are heirs with Christ, and our identity is rooted in Him, not in our past or the law. <a href="/topical/g/growth_in_faith.htm">Growth in Faith</a> Encourage spiritual growth and maturity, moving from a childlike understanding to a deeper, more mature faith. <a href="/topical/l/living_as_heirs.htm">Living as Heirs</a> Live with the confidence and responsibility of being heirs to God's promises, reflecting His kingdom in our daily lives.<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/bible's_view_on_women's_rights.htm">What does the Bible say about women's rights?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_synod.htm">What is Kingdom Race Theology?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_muscular_christianity.htm">What is the meaning of Galatians 3:28?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_an_heir_in_the_bible.htm">What does being an heir mean in the Bible?</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>(1-7) A further description, continued from the last chapter, of the state of wardship, with its restraints and servitude, compared with that Christian freedom--the freedom of sons--to which the Galatians had been admitted through their adoption into the Messianic family by adhesion to Christ.It may be observed that the allusions to the condition of minors are not in strict accordance either with Jewish or Roman law. It has been suggested that they have reference to a special code current in Galatia. It is, however, far more probable that the Apostle is referring exclusively to neither, but has in his mind a sort of abstraction of the law of minority, such as would present itself to one who had not himself had a legal education.(1) Now I say.--This phrase introduces a further and fuller explanation of what is involved in the state of nonage, as compared with that of adult freedom.A child--i.e., an infant, a minor; though the term is not technically chosen.Differeth nothing from a servant.--Both the child and the slave were incapable of any valid act in a legal sense; the guardian was as entirely the representative of the one as the master of the other. Both the child and the slave were subject to the same restraint, discipline, correction.Though he be lord of all.--Strictly speaking, the inference from this would be that the father was dead. This, however, is a point that does not really enter into the Apostle's thoughts. The illustration does not hold good in all particulars, but in the chief particulars--viz., the state of constraint and subordination in which the minor is placed so long as he is a minor.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - Now I say (λέγω δέ). A form of expression usual with the apostle when introducing a new statement designed either to explain or elucidate something before said (cf. <a href="/galatians/3-17.htm">Galatians 3:17</a>; <a href="/galatians/5-16.htm">Galatians 5:16</a>; <a href="/romans/15-8.htm">Romans 15:8</a>, according to the Received Text; <a href="/1_corinthians/1-12.htm">1 Corinthians 1:12</a>. So τοῦτο δέ φημι, <a href="/1_corinthians/7-29.htm">1 Corinthians 7:29</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/15-50.htm">1 Corinthians 15:50</a>). It is intended apparently to quicken attention: "Now I wish to say this." In the present case the apostle designs to throw further light upon the position taken in <a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a>, that God's people, while under the Law, were under a bondage from which they have now been emancipated. Compare the somewhat similar process of illustration adopted in <a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Romans 7:2-4</a>. In both passages it is not a logical demonstration that is put forward, but an illustratively analogous case in human experience. A metaphor, though not strictly an argument, yet frequently helps the reader to an intuitive perception of the justness of the position laid down. That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all (ἐφ ὅσον χρόνονὁ κληρονόμος νήπιός ἐστιν οὐδὲν διαφέερει δόλου κύριος πάντων ὤν); so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant, though he is lord of all. The article before κληρονόμος, heir, is the class article, as before μεσίτης, mediator (<a href="/galatians/3-20.htm">Galatians 3:20</a>) - "an heir." In the word νήπιος the apostle evidently has in view one who as yet is in his nonage - as in English law phrase, "an infant." In Roman law language, infans is a child under seven, the period of minority reaching to twenty-five. In Attic Greek, the correlate to one registered amongst "men" was a παῖς. It does not appear that the apostle means to use a technical legal expression. He contrasts νήπιος with ἀνὴρ in <a href="/1_corinthians/13-11.htm">1 Corinthians 13:11</a>; <a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm">Ephesians 4:13, 14</a>. "Differeth nothing from a bond-servant;" i.e. is nothing better than a bond-servant, as <a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Matthew 6:26</a>; <a href="/matthew/10-31.htm">Matthew 10:31</a>; <a href="/matthew/12-12.htm">Matthew 12:12</a>. The verb διαφέρειν seems used only in the sense of your differing from another to your advantage, so that τὰ διαφέροντα are things that are more excellent. "Lord," "proprietor;" the title to the property inheres in him, though he is not yet fit to handle it. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/4-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[What] δέ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. I am saying [is that] Λέγω (Legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. as long as ἐφ’ (eph’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. 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. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd 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. a child, νήπιός (nēpios) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3516.htm">Strong's 3516: </a> From an obsolete particle ne- and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant; figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian. he is no different διαφέρει (diapherei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1308.htm">Strong's 1308: </a> From dia and phero; to bear through, i.e. transport; usually to bear apart, i.e. to toss about; subjectively, to 'differ', or surpass. from a slave, δούλου (doulou) Noun - Genitive 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. [although] he is ὤν (ōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine 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. the owner κύριος (kyrios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. of everything. πάντων (pantōn) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/4-1.htm">Galatians 4:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/4-1.htm">Galatians 4:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/4-1.htm">Galatians 4:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/4-1.htm">Galatians 4:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/4-1.htm">Galatians 4:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/4-1.htm">Galatians 4:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/4-1.htm">Galatians 4:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/4-1.htm">Galatians 4:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/4-1.htm">Galatians 4:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/4-1.htm">Galatians 4:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 4:1 But I say that so long as (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/3-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 3:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 3:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/4-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 4:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 4:2" /></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>