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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 4:21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/4-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/48_Gal_04_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 4:21 - Hagar and Sarah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says?" /><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/4-21.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/4-21.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 21</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/4-20.htm" title="Galatians 4:20">◄</a> Galatians 4:21 <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm" title="Galatians 4:22">►</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> Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? <a href="/nlt/galatians/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> Tell me, you who want to live under the law, do you know what the law actually says? <a href="/esv/galatians/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? <a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says? <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Tell me, those wishing to be under the Law, do you do not listen to the Law? <a href="/kjv/galatians/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? <a href="/nkjv/galatians/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? <a href="/nasb_/galatians/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law? <a href="/nasb/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? <a href="/nasb77/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? <a href="/lsb/galatians/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law? <a href="/amp/galatians/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Tell me, you who are bent on being under the Law, do you not listen to [what] the Law [really says]? <a href="/csb/galatians/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? <a href="/hcsb/galatians/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Tell me, those of you who want to be under the law, don&#8217t you hear the law? <a href="/asv/galatians/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? <a href="/cev/galatians/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Some of you would like to be under the rule of the Law of Moses. But do you know what the Law says? <a href="/erv/galatians/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? <a href="/gwt/galatians/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Those who want to be controlled by Moses' laws should tell me something. Are you really listening to what Moses' Teachings say? <a href="/gnt/galatians/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> Let me ask those of you who want to be subject to the Law: do you not hear what the Law says? <a href="/isv/galatians/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Tell me, those of you who want to live under the Law: Are you really listening to what the Law says? <a href="/msb/galatians/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says? <a href="/net/galatians/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand the law? <a href="/nheb/galatians/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? <a href="/wbt/galatians/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Tell me--you who want to continue to be subject to Law--will you not listen to the Law? <a href="/web/galatians/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Tell me, you who are willing to be under law, do you not hear the Law? <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Tell me, those wishing to be under the Law, do you do not listen to the Law? <a href="/ylt/galatians/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Tell me, ye who are willing to be under law, the law do ye not hear? <a href="/slt/galatians/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Tell me, those wishing to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, have you not read the law? <a href="/cpdv/galatians/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, have you not read the law? <a href="/nabre/galatians/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Tell me, you who desire to be subject to the law, will you not listen to the law?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Tell me, you who wish to be under The Written Law, do you not hear The Written Law?<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not understand the law? <a href="/godbey/galatians/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Tell me, you wish to be under law, do you not hear the law? <a href="/haweis/galatians/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? <a href="/mace/galatians/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> But tell me, you that are so willing to be under the law, why don't you consider the law? <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Tell me--you who want to continue to be subject to Law--will you not listen to the Law? <a href="/worrell/galatians/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Tell me, ye who are wishing to be under law, do ye not hear the law? <a href="/worsley/galatians/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Tell me, you that are so desirous to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? <a href="/parallel/galatians/4-21.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=869" 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">Hagar and Sarah</a> 20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you. 21<a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: Legete (V-PMA-2P) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">Tell</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: moi (PPro-D1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">me,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-VMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">you who</a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelontes (V-PPA-VMP) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">want</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: einai (V-PNA) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">to be</a> <a href="/greek/5259.htm" title="5259: hypo (Prep) -- A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).">under</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomon (N-AMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">the law,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: akouete (V-PIA-2P) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">do you not understand what</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- 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/3551.htm" title="3551: nomon (N-AMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">law says?</a> 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.…<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="/genesis/21-10.htm">Genesis 21:10-12</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!” / Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael. / But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7-9</a> Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. / For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” <a href="/hebrews/11-17.htm">Hebrews 11:17-19</a> By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, / even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death. <a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Genesis 16:1-4</a> Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. / So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. / So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years, his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife. ... <a href="/genesis/17-15.htm">Genesis 17:15-19</a> Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai, for her name is to be Sarah. / And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.” / Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?” ... <a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Genesis 18:10-14</a> Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent. / And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. / So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” ... <a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Genesis 21:1-3</a> Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. / And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him. <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Romans 4:13-16</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, / because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. ... <a href="/romans/4-22.htm">Romans 4:22-24</a> This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” / Now the words “it was credited to him” were written not only for Abraham, / but also for us, to whom righteousness will be credited—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. <a href="/john/8-33.htm">John 8:33-36</a> “We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?” / Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. / A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever. ... <a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Romans 8:15-17</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!” / 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="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28-30</a> And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. / For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. / And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. <a href="/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18-24</a> For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; / to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. / For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” ... <a href="/isaiah/54-1.htm">Isaiah 54:1</a> “Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD. <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.” ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?ye that.<a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Galatians 4:9</a> But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?<a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10,23,24</a> For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them… <a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Romans 6:14</a> For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.do.<a href="/matthew/21-42.htm">Matthew 21:42-44</a> Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? … <a href="/matthew/22-29.htm">Matthew 22:29-32</a> Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God… <a href="/john/5-46.htm">John 5:46,47</a> For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me… the law.<a href="/john/10-34.htm">John 10:34</a> Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?<a href="/john/12-34.htm">John 12:34</a> The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?<a href="/john/15-25.htm">John 15:25</a> But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">Aware</a> <a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/galatians/4-20.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-32.htm">Desirous</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-17.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-2.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">Law</a> <a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">Subject</a> <a href="/galatians/4-17.htm">Want</a> <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Willing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-5.htm">Aware</a> <a href="/philippians/1-18.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/galatians/5-4.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/galatians/5-26.htm">Desirous</a> <a href="/galatians/5-7.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-2.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/galatians/5-3.htm">Law</a> <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Subject</a> <a href="/galatians/5-17.htm">Want</a> <a href="/philippians/2-13.htm">Willing</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>Tell me, This phrase indicates a direct and personal address from Paul to the Galatians. It suggests an appeal to reason and understanding, emphasizing the importance of the message that follows. Paul often uses direct questions to engage his audience and provoke thought.you who want to be under the law, The "law" here refers to the Mosaic Law, which includes the commandments and regulations given to Israel. Some Galatians were being influenced by Judaizers who insisted that Gentile Christians must observe the Jewish law to be truly saved. This reflects a broader conflict in the early church regarding the role of the law in the life of a believer, as seen in <a href="/acts/15.htm">Acts 15</a> and the Jerusalem Council.do you not understand Paul challenges the Galatians' comprehension of the law's true purpose. This rhetorical question implies that their desire to adhere to the law stems from a misunderstanding. Paul often contrasts the law with faith in Christ, as seen in <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20-22</a>, where he explains that righteousness comes through faith, not the law.what the law says? Paul is likely referring to the deeper, spiritual meaning of the law, which points to Christ and the promise of salvation through faith. The law serves as a tutor leading to Christ (<a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a>). In the context of <a href="/galatians/4.htm">Galatians 4</a>, Paul will go on to use the allegory of Hagar and Sarah to illustrate the difference between living under the law and living under the promise of grace. This reflects the broader biblical theme that the law reveals human sinfulness and the need for a savior, as seen in <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Romans 7:7-12</a>.<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 issue of legalism and the Judaizers who were influencing the Galatian church. 2. <a href="/topical/g/galatians.htm">Galatians</a> The recipients of the letter, a group of early Christians in the region of Galatia who were being swayed by teachings that emphasized adherence to the Jewish law. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a> Refers to the Mosaic Law, which includes the commandments and regulations given to the Israelites in the Old Testament. 4. <a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a> A group within the early church advocating that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law, including circumcision, to be true Christians. 5. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> While not directly mentioned in this verse, he is central to the argument in the surrounding passages, representing faith and the promise of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_law's_purpose.htm">Understanding the Law's Purpose</a> The law was given to reveal sin and point to the need for a Savior. It was never intended as a means of salvation. <a href="/topical/f/freedom_in_christ.htm">Freedom in Christ</a> Believers are called to live in the freedom that Christ provides, not under the bondage of the law. <a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_doctrine.htm">Discernment in Doctrine</a> Christians must be discerning about teachings that add to the gospel of grace, ensuring that they align with the truth of Scripture. <a href="/topical/f/faith_over_works.htm">Faith Over Works</a> Salvation is by faith alone, not by works of the law. This truth should guide our relationship with God and others. <a href="/topical/l/living_by_the_spirit.htm">Living by the Spirit</a> Embrace the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live righteously apart from the law.<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_lessons_from_sarah_and_hagar.htm">What lessons does the Sarah and Hagar story teach?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_bible_story's_allegory.htm">What is the allegorical meaning of a Bible story?</a> <a href="/q/why_ignore_diet_laws_but_condemn_sex_sins.htm">Why do Christians often ignore biblical dietary laws but still condemn sexual sins?</a> <a href="/q/address_abram's_moral_dilemma_in_genesis.htm">How do we address the moral dilemma of Abram fathering a child with his wife's servant (Genesis 16:1–4)? </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>(21-31) The next eleven verses contain an elaborate argument from the history of the two sons of Abraham, as types of the two covenants, in further proof that freedom is the essential character of the Christian dispensation.We have seen that St. Paul applies the history of the natural Israel allegorically to the spiritual Israel; and not only does he do this with reference to the history of the formed theocracy, but he goes back to its origin in the time of the patriarchs, and traces there the first beginnings of the separation between the Law and the promise. The same history had been already allegorically treated by Philo. The treatment of it by St. Paul is, however, quite different, and in keeping with the line of argument followed in the context.The points of parallelism, which are drawn out in much detail, may be exhibited thus:--Jewish Church.Christian Church.The bondwoman, Hagar.The freewoman, Sarah.Son of the bondwoman, Ishmael.Son of the freewoman, Isaac.Natural birth (the flesh).Supernatural birth (the promise).Mount Sinai. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 21. - Tell me, ye that desire to be under the Law (λέγετέ μοι οἱ ὑπὸ νόμον θέλοντες εϊναι). After the outburst of affectionate earnestness expressed in the last four verses, the apostle seems to have paused, reflecting in what way he could the most effectually convince these Galatian legalists of their error. At length, a consideration occurs to him, which he impetuously so to speak hastens to abruptly sot before them. He has before (<a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a>) shown to the Galatian believers that they were "Abraham's seed." He now means to show that, as children of Abraham through faith in Christ, they stood on a far higher footing than the children of the Sinai covenant did - a position which, by subjecting themselves afresh to the Law, they would forego. The verb "desire" (θέλοντες), as here introduced, intimates that this aspiration of theirs was a mere freak of self-will, there being nothing in the circumstances to prompt it. So in ver. 9, "Ye desire to be in bondage." In consequence of there being no article with νόμον, some would render ὑπὸ νόμον "under Law," that is, Law viewed in genere, as in <a href="/romans/4-15.htm">Romans 4:15</a>. But the whole scope of the Epistle resists this view. The apostle's contention with the Galatian perverters of the truth is not concerning Christians being subject to Law absolutely, but concerning their being subject to a Law of outward ceremonial observance; that is, to the Law of Moses; for there was no other system of positive ordinances by which, as of Divine authority, they could imagine themselves to be bound. The noun νόμος is used without the article, like other monadic nouns with an understood specific reference (for examples, Θεός, Κύριος Ξριστός Πνεῦμα διάβολος κόσμος); as it is also <a href="/romans/2-23.htm">Romans 2:23</a>; <a href="/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31</a>; <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Romans 4:13, 14</a>; <a href="/romans/5-13.htm">Romans 5:13</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/9-20.htm">1 Corinthians 9:20</a>; <a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Galatians 2:21</a>; <a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">Galatians 4:5</a>; <a href="/philippians/3-5.htm">Philippians 3:5, 6</a>. Do ye not hear the Law? (to\n no/mon οὐκ ἀκούετε;); to that Law give ye no heed? The article is here prefixed to νόμον to make the repetition of the noun the more telling; just as it is in <a href="/romans/2-23.htm">Romans 2:23</a>, Ος ἐν νόμῳ καυχᾶσαι διὰ τῆς παραβάσεως τοῦ νόμου τὸν Θεὸν ἀτιμάζεις; The verb ἀκούετε, hear, like our "listen to," means "take to heart what it says;" as in <a href="/matthew/10-14.htm">Matthew 10:14</a>; <a href="/luke/16-29.htm">Luke 16:29, 31</a>. There is no reason for attributing to the verb such a sense of listening to an oral utterance as should warrant us in supposing, that the apostle is thinking in particular of the Galatian Christians as in the habit of "hearing" the Pentateuch and ether Old Testament Scriptures read, whether in Jewish synagogues (cf. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-14.htm">2 Corinthians 3:14, 15</a>; <a href="/acts/15-21.htm">Acts 15:21</a>) or in Christian assemblages. That such Scriptures in the Septuagint Version were customarily read aloud when Christians assembled for united worship, especially in the absence or dearth of other inspired writings, is more than probable: we know from Justin Martyr ('Apol.,' 1. p. 83) that such was the custom from Sunday to Sunday in his days, when there were ἀποστολικὰ ὑπμνημονεύματα also available for such use. Moreover, the existence of such a custom helps us to understand how it was that the apostle could here, as in <a href="/romans/7-1.htm">Romans 7:1</a>, presuppose with Christian believers an acquaintance with the contents of the Pentateuch. But we require more here than the thought, "Are ye not wont to hear the Law read?" It is rather an acquaintance with its contents, and taking due account of them, that he demands of his readers. Some uncial manuscripts have ἀναγινώσκετε, read, instead of ἀκούετε. This reading of the text would only imply, not without a touch of sarcasm, the sense which the more accredited reading, ἀκούετε, may be understood as directly denoting. The use of the word "Law" to denote at once the system of Mosaic legislation and the historical record in which it is embedded, is remarkable. The Jews were accustomed to designate the Pentateuch by this term (comp. <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>; <a href="/luke/16-16.htm">Luke 16:16</a>; <a href="/luke/24-44.htm">Luke 24:44</a>); and whoever would fain subject themselves to the positive enactments of the Mosaic Law as possessing Divine authority, would of course feel themselves bound also to accept the teaching of the historical record as clothed with the like authority. The apostle himself also accepted both as alike coming from God; only he required that the Divine purpose in both should be clearly understood and be suitably complied with. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/4-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Tell Λέγετέ (Legete) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <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. me, μοι (moi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [you] who οἱ (hoi) Article - Vocative Masculine Plural <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. want θέλοντες (thelontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. to be εἶναι (einai) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <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. under ὑπὸ (hypo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_5259.htm">Strong's 5259: </a> A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when). [the] Law, νόμον (nomon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. do you not understand [what] ἀκούετε (akouete) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative 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. Law [says]? νόμον (nomon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/4-21.htm">Galatians 4:21 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/4-21.htm">Galatians 4:21 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/4-21.htm">Galatians 4:21 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/4-21.htm">Galatians 4:21 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/4-21.htm">Galatians 4:21 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/4-21.htm">Galatians 4:21 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/4-21.htm">Galatians 4:21 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/4-21.htm">Galatians 4:21 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/4-21.htm">Galatians 4:21 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/4-21.htm">Galatians 4:21 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/4-21.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 4:21 Tell me you that desire to be (Gal. 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