Galatians 4:7 kjv
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Galatians 4:7 nkjv
Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Galatians 4:7 niv
So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Galatians 4:7 esv
So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 4:7 nlt
Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Galatians 4 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gal 4:7 | ... no longer a slave, but a son... | Inheritance confirmed |
| Rom 8:15 | ... “Abba, Father.” | Spirit of adoption |
| Eph 1:5 | ... predestined us for adoption... | God's eternal plan |
| John 1:12 | ... to all who did receive him, to them he gave the right to become children of God... | Believing brings sonship |
| 1 Pet 1:18 | ... not redeemed with perishable things... but with the precious blood of Christ... | Redemption from bondage |
| Titus 3:7 | ... so that by grace we might be justified... and be heirs according to the hope of eternal life. | Justification leads to heirship |
| Heb 1:2 | ... by whom also he appointed him the heir of all things... | Christ as heir |
| Gen 15:1 | ... “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward is very great.” | God's promise to Abraham |
| Isa 63:16 | ... you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. | God as Father and Redeemer |
| Mal 1:6 | ... a son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is the fear due to me? says the LORD of hosts... | Distinction between son and servant |
| 1 Cor 7:22 | For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was called free in the Lord is a slave of Christ. | Spiritual freedom vs. status |
| Gal 5:1 | For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. | Christ's work of liberation |
| Rom 6:18 | And being made free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. | Freedom leads to new servitude |
| 2 Cor 5:20 | So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. | Representatives of Christ |
| Eph 2:19 | So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, | Fellow heirs in God's household |
| 1 Tim 6:2 | ...those who have believing masters should not show them less respect because they are brothers. Rather they should serve them even better, because those who are receiving the benefit of their service are faithful and beloved brothers. | Mutual respect in Christ |
| Phil 2:7 | ... emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant... | Christ's humility as servant |
| Acts 20:32 | And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. | Inheritance through grace |
| Heb 9:15 | Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, as a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant. | Mediator of inheritance |
| Rev 5:10 | and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” | Royal priesthood |
| John 8:36 | So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. | Freedom in the Son |
Galatians 4 verses
Galatians 4 7 Meaning
Through Christ, believers are no longer slaves but are recognized as beloved sons and heirs, inheriting all the promises of God. This is not a state earned but freely given through divine adoption.
Galatians 4 7 Context
This verse is found in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Galatians. The Galatian churches were a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers. Judaizers were troubling them, insisting that Gentile believers needed to be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law to be truly accepted by God. Paul is strongly refuting this, emphasizing that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law. In the preceding verses (Galatians 4:1-6), Paul uses the analogy of a minor heir under a guardian to illustrate that the Israelites, under the Law, were not so different from a child. However, with the coming of Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, believers have entered a new stage. Galatians 4:7 then proclaims the resulting identity and inheritance for those who are in Christ.
Galatians 4 7 Word analysis
οὕτως (houtōs): "Thus," "so," "in this way." This adverb introduces the conclusion Paul draws from the preceding analogy and the reality of the Spirit's work. It emphasizes the direct consequence of God sending His Son and the indwelling Spirit.
σὺ (su): "You." Singular or plural. Paul addresses the individual believer directly, personalizing the truth of their new status.
οὐκέτι (ouketi): "No longer." A strong negation, signifying a definitive break from a previous condition. It highlights the complete change of status from the one described before.
δοῦλος (doulos): "Slave," "servant." This refers to a state of bondage or servitude, often involuntary, indicating a lack of freedom and ownership. In the Old Testament context, slaves were possessions.
ἀλλά (alla): "But." A conjunction that introduces a contrast, marking the essential shift in identity Paul is asserting.
υἱός (huios): "Son." This is a crucial term in Greek. It not only means offspring but also implies heirship, rightful place within the family, and the privileges associated with that position. It’s a term of deep honor and belonging.
εἰ (ei): "If," "since." Here, it introduces the reason for this new status.
τοῦ θεοῦ (tou theou): "Of God." The source and authority behind this transition.
διὰ (dia): "Through," "by." Indicates the means or agency.
Χριστοῦ (Christou): "Christ." The instrumental agent through whom this adoption and sonship are accomplished. It points to the work and identity of Jesus Christ.
"No longer a slave, but a son": This antithesis powerfully contrasts the former state of bondage (perhaps under the Law, or sin) with the present reality of sonship in God's family through Christ. It signifies freedom from a system of law and condemnation and entry into a relationship of privilege and inheritance.
"Son of God": This title signifies a unique relationship of intimacy, authority, and heirship, not mere servitude or client status. It mirrors the unique sonship of Christ Himself (Hebrews 1:1-3).
"Through Christ": This phrase emphasizes that this status is not achieved by human effort but is a gift made possible by Christ's redemptive work.
Galatians 4 7 Bonus section
The concept of "sonship" in the ancient Greco-Roman world often involved inheritance, legal rights, and a position of authority within the family, even for adopted sons. Paul leverages this understanding to convey the profound privilege and full legal standing that believers gain in God's family through Christ. The Holy Spirit, as mentioned in the previous verses, serves as the seal or confirmation of this adoption, allowing believers to cry out "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15). This inner assurance from the Spirit validates their new identity as God's children and heirs. This truth serves as a direct counter-argument to any teaching that would impose legalistic burdens on believers for acceptance, asserting that true acceptance and inheritance come through grace and faith in Christ alone.
Galatians 4 7 Commentary
Paul states that because of Christ's work, believers have moved from a position of servitude to one of dignified sonship. They are no longer bound by the rules and regulations of a slave under the old covenant, nor are they under the dominion of sin. Instead, through faith in Jesus Christ, they have been adopted into God's family. This adoption is not just a change of status but an inheritance of all God's promises. It's a testament to God's grace that He would elevate former slaves and Gentiles into the position of cherished sons, a privilege historically reserved for natural-born sons in ancient cultures. This divine sonship grants access to God as "Abba, Father," intimacy, and the assurance of inheriting His kingdom. It underscores that freedom in Christ is a freedom into belonging and purpose as God's own children.