Galatians 4 5

Galatians 4:5 kjv

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Galatians 4:5 nkjv

to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:5 niv

to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Galatians 4:5 esv

to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:5 nlt

God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

Galatians 4 verses

Galatians 4 5 meaning

Galatians 4:5 states that God sent His Son into the world, born under the Law, with the specific purpose "to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." This verse encapsulates the core of the Gospel, showing Christ's active role in liberating humanity from the legalistic servitude of the Mosaic Law, which, due to human fallenness, functioned as a master rather than a guide. The ultimate goal of this redemption is not just freedom from something, but freedom for something: the precious status of full-fledged children of God, with all the rights and inheritance due to Him. It's a gracious act of divine elevation from a state of bondage to one of privileged sonship.

Galatians 4 5 Context

Galatians Chapter 4 follows Paul's strong arguments in Chapter 3, establishing that righteousness comes through faith, not by works of the Law. Chapter 4 continues this theme by illustrating the prior condition of those "under the Law" through the analogy of an heir who, though legally possessing a future inheritance, remains under guardians and managers, acting essentially as a slave, until the appointed time (Gal 4:1-2). This describes both the Jew, who was under the tutelage of the Mosaic Law, and by extension, all humanity subjected to religious systems or their own fallen nature.

Galatians 4:4 (which immediately precedes verse 5) states that God sent His Son "when the fullness of time had come," born "of a woman, born under the law." This establishes Jesus' divine timing and His unique qualifications – being truly human and subjecting Himself to the very Law His people were bound by. Verse 5 then articulates the two-fold purpose of Christ's incarnation and earthly life: firstly, to redeem those shackled by the Law, and secondly, to bestow upon them the glorious status of adoption as sons. Historically, the Galatians were being pressured by Judaizers to observe aspects of the Mosaic Law (like circumcision), suggesting it was necessary for full spiritual standing. Paul's forceful argument directly opposes this, asserting that Christ's work alone liberates and elevates believers, making the Law obsolete as a means of justification or identity. His polemic targets the contemporary belief that salvation or full acceptance required adherence to specific Jewish customs, proving instead that these rituals put people back into a state of spiritual slavery rather than divine sonship.

Galatians 4 5 Word analysis

• to redeem (ἵνα ... ἐξαγοράσῃ - hina ... exagorase)
  • ἵνα (hina): A conjunction expressing purpose, meaning "in order that" or "so that." It clearly states the intention and outcome of God sending His Son.
  • ἐξαγοράσῃ (exagorase): An aorist active subjunctive verb, meaning "to buy out," "to redeem," "to ransom." The Greek verb implies purchasing someone's freedom, especially from slavery or from an obligation by paying a price. The prefix "ek-" (ἐκ) meaning "out of" intensifies the verb "agorazo" (to buy), emphasizing a complete purchase out of a situation. It signifies a definitive, once-for-all transaction. In this context, it implies buying out of the legal servitude and condemnation imposed by the Law due to human inability to keep it perfectly. This costly redemption sets captives free.
• those who were under the law (τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον - tous hypo nomon)
  • τοὺς (tous): The masculine plural definite article, serving here as a demonstrative pronoun, "those."
  • ὑπὸ νόμον (hypo nomon): Means "under the Law." The preposition hypo (under) with the accusative case implies subjugation, control, and bondage. It doesn't merely mean "subject to" (as in, existing while the law is there) but suggests being under the Law's authority, demands, and judgment—even its curse (Gal 3:10-13). For Jews, it referred to the Mosaic covenant; for Gentiles seeking righteousness through human effort, it was their self-imposed "law." Paul views this as a form of spiritual immaturity and bondage (Gal 4:3), where one's status before God is contingent upon their (failed) performance, resulting in a state of condemnation rather than freedom.
• so that (ἵνα - hina)
  • ἵνα (hina): Another purpose conjunction, "in order that," "so that." It introduces the second, ultimate purpose for Christ's redemption. This highlights that redemption is not an end in itself, but a means to a greater end—adoption.
• we might receive (ἀπολάβωμεν - apolabomen)
  • ἀπολάβωμεν (apolabomen): An aorist active subjunctive verb, meaning "to receive," "to get back," "to obtain fully." It implies gaining possession of something previously promised or entitled, but not yet possessed. It suggests a gracious impartation from God, resulting in the believer’s full acquisition of a new status and relationship. It's not something earned but bestowed as a rightful possession by God.
• adoption as sons (τὴν υἱοθεσίαν - tēn huiothesian)
  • τὴν (tēn): The feminine singular definite article, "the."
  • υἱοθεσίαν (huiothesian): A noun meaning "adoption," specifically "adoption as a son/child." This is a profoundly significant legal term in Roman and Hellenistic contexts, meaning the legal placement of an individual as an adult heir. An adopted son had full rights and inheritance privileges of a natural-born son and, crucially, had their prior debts or familial obligations cancelled. This term underscores a complete change of status: from slave (under the law, Gal 4:1-3) or alien to a fully recognized and privileged child and heir of God, enjoying intimate access to the Father. This is not just a general sense of being "children of God" (as in creation) but a specific legal and relational status that secures eternal inheritance.

Words-group analysis

• to redeem those who were under the law: This phrase vividly contrasts the action (redemption) with the prior state (under the law). It establishes Christ as the active agent, freeing those trapped in a system that led to spiritual bondage and condemnation due to its impossible demands for human perfection. The emphasis is on freedom from a specific oppressive state.
• so that we might receive adoption as sons: This second clause expresses the glorious outcome and purpose of redemption. Freedom from bondage is not an end in itself, but a pathway to an infinitely superior status: a chosen, full, and rightful membership in God's family, with all the rights and inheritance this entails. This highlights the loving, generous intention of God behind Christ's work, shifting focus from "freedom from" to "freedom for"—for relationship and heirship.

Galatians 4 5 Bonus section

The concept of huiothesia (adoption as sons) was particularly resonant in the Roman world of Paul's audience. In Roman law, adoption was a much more profound and powerful legal act than in many modern societies. An adopted son literally passed into the full legal authority of his new father (paterfamilias), renouncing all claims and obligations to his former family. His old debts were cancelled, and he was fully entitled to all the rights and inheritance of his new family, sometimes even being preferred over natural-born children in the line of succession. This makes Paul's choice of "adoption" extremely vivid: it underscores a complete and irreversible transfer from one household (under the law, as slaves/minors) to God's family, with all former liabilities canceled and full inheritance secured. This deepens the understanding that believers are not merely forgiven but fully transformed in status and relationship to God, having become "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:17). This new identity is foundational to Christian freedom and hope.

Galatians 4 5 Commentary

Galatians 4:5 powerfully encapsulates the redemptive purpose of Christ's incarnation. Having been born under the Mosaic Law (Gal 4:4), Jesus fulfilled all its requirements and perfectly embodied obedience, a feat impossible for humanity. His ultimate act of redemption was paying the divine price on the cross, liberating us from the Law's curse and the bondage it imposed when people attempted to find righteousness through its performance. This freedom is not aimless; its supreme purpose is to grant believers "adoption as sons"—a radical change of status from spiritual slavery, legal debt, or alienage to full, intimate membership in God's family. This legal and relational sonship brings with it direct access to God (Abba, Father!), the Spirit (Gal 4:6), and the inheritance promised to Christ, the true Son. It illustrates God's grace to not merely free, but to elevate and embrace, giving a chosen identity that transforms one's relationship with the Creator from a servant to a beloved heir.For instance, before redemption, one might feel constantly obligated to prove themselves to God through actions or rules. After redemption and adoption, their status is secure not based on their performance, but on God's declaration, fostering a relationship based on love and grace rather than fear and obligation.