Galatians 4 6

Galatians 4:6 kjv

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

Galatians 4:6 nkjv

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"

Galatians 4:6 niv

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."

Galatians 4:6 esv

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

Galatians 4:6 nlt

And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father."

Galatians 4 verses

Galatians 4 6 Meaning

Because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

Galatians 4 6 Context

Chapter 4 of Galatians contrasts the life of believers under the Old Covenant law with their new life in Christ. Paul addresses those who are tempted to return to Jewish legalism. He uses the allegory of Sarah and Hagar to illustrate that true children of God are born through the promise and the Spirit, not by fleshly works or tradition. This verse explains the reality of this new status – that because believers are truly God's children through Christ, they have received the Spirit who testifies to their sonship. The Galatians are urged to stand firm in this freedom and truth, not to revert to bondage under the law.

Galatians 4 6 Word Analysis

• And (καί, kai): A conjunction connecting clauses; indicates addition or transition. Here, it links the cause (being sons) with the effect (God sending the Spirit).
• Because (ὅτι, hoti): Introduces a statement of cause or reason. Explains why God sent His Spirit.
• You (ὑμεῖς, hymeis): Plural "you," referring to the entire community of believers in Galatia.
• Are (ἐστὲ, este): Second person plural present indicative of εἰμί (eimi), "to be." Affirms their present reality and identity as sons.
• Sons (υἱοὶ, huiol): Masculine plural of υἱός (huios). Refers to legitimate, mature male children, carrying connotations of inheritance and full status within the family. This is distinct from τέκνον (teknon), "child," often emphasizing affection and dependence. The emphasis is on their legal standing and inheritance rights in God's family.
• God (ὁ Θεός, ho Theos): The Supreme Being, the Creator and Sustainer of all.
• Sent forth (ἀπέστειλεν, apesteilen): Second aorist active indicative of ἀποστέλλω (apostellō), "to send away," "to commission." Denotes a purposeful and authoritative sending, a definitive act by God.
• The Spirit (τὸ Πνεῦμα, to Pneuma): Refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Emphasizes the divine agent who indwells and empowers believers.
• Of His Son (τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, tou huiou autou): Genitive case, indicating possession or origin. This Spirit belongs to Christ or originates from Christ, highlighting the intimate connection between the Holy Spirit and Jesus.
• Into (εἰς, eis): Preposition indicating motion towards or into a place. Signifies the inward presence of the Spirit.
• Your (ὑμῶν, hymōn): Possessive pronoun, plural "your."
• Hearts (καρδίας, kardias): Accusative plural of καρδία (kardia), "heart." In biblical usage, the heart is the center of a person's inner life, including emotions, intellect, will, and spiritual perception. The Spirit's work is internal and transformative.
• Crying (κράζον, krazon): Present active participle of κράζω (krazō), "to cry out," "to call loudly." Describes the ongoing expression of the Spirit within the believer, testifying to their sonship.
• Abba (Ἀββᾶ, Abba): An Aramaic term of endearment for "father," used by children towards their fathers. It conveys intimacy, familiarity, and a sense of absolute trust and dependence. It's a deeply personal and tender address.
• Father (Πατήρ, Patēr): The Greek word for "Father," used here in conjunction with "Abba." Together, "Abba, Father!" is a powerful, compound expression of intimate relationship.

Word Groups Analysis

• "Spirit of His Son": This phrase signifies the Holy Spirit who is intimately linked to Jesus Christ, either as the Spirit Christ possesses and bestows, or the Spirit who testifies to Christ's identity and work, thereby uniting believers to Him. It emphasizes the Spirit's role in assuring believers of their relationship with God through Christ.
• "Into your hearts": This points to the internal, personal, and transformative work of the Holy Spirit. It is not an external observance but a deep, spiritual reality dwelling within believers.
• "Abba! Father!": This is a cry of filial confidence and intimate access. "Abba" speaks of a childlike trust and closeness, while "Father" formalizes the relationship in Greek, understood by the wider audience. The double address powerfully conveys the depth of adoption. It's the Spirit within prompting this cry, validating their status.

Galatians 4 6 Bonus Section

The juxtaposition of "Abba" (Aramaic) and "Father" (Greek) reflects the cultural and linguistic context of the early church, where believers came from Jewish and Gentile backgrounds. This compound expression ensures the meaning of intimate filial access is understood universally. It signifies that the Father's house welcomes all who come through Christ, with the same tender address, regardless of their original tongue or background. This internalization of "Abba! Father!" is a testament to the Holy Spirit's capacity to unite believers intimately with God.

Galatians 4 6 Commentary

The verse explains the experiential reality of adoption into God's family. Because believers are genuine sons of God, made so by Christ's redemptive work (Galatians 4:4-5), God indisputably proves this reality by sending His Son's Spirit into their hearts. This indwelling Spirit does not cause them to fear God as a slave does a master (contrast with the Mosaic covenant in its legalistic interpretation by some), but rather enables them to cry out to God with the intimate, trusting term, "Abba! Father!" This cry is the Spirit's testimony within their spirit that they are indeed God's children, heirs with Christ. It underscores that true spiritual life is characterized by intimacy and assurance through the Holy Spirit's presence and testimony.

• Practical Usage: When we feel doubt about our standing with God, remember the Spirit crying "Abba! Father!" within you is God's own affirmation of your sonship, secured by Christ. This encourages confidence, prayer, and dependence.