Galatians 4:31

Galatians 4:31 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
• New International Version (NIV)Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
• New King James Version (NKJV)So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Context of Galatians 4:31

29But as then he that was born according to flesh persecuted him [that was born] according to Spirit, so also [it is] now. 30But what says the scripture? Cast out the maid servant and her son; for the son of the maid servant shall not inherit with the son of the free woman. So then, brethren, we are not maid servant's children, but [children] of the free woman.

Galatians 4:31 word by word

διό, ἀδελφοί, οὐκ ἐσμὲν παιδίσκης τέκνα ἀλλὰ τῆς ἐλευθέρας·Read the interlinear

• areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• childrenτέκνονteknon · childG5043
• freeἐλεύθεροςeleutheros · free/freedomG1658

Cross-references for Galatians 4:31

• Galatians 5:1Christ has set us free in freedom; stand fast therefore, and be not held again in a yoke of bondage.
• John 1:12but as many as received him, to them gave he [the] right to be children of God, to those that believe on his name;
• John 8:36If therefore the Son shall set you free, ye shall be really free.
• Hebrews 2:14Since therefore the children partake of blood and flesh, he also, in like manner, took part in the same, that through death he might annul him who has the might of death, that is, the devil;
• 1 John 3:1See what love the Father has given to us, that we should be called [the] children of God. For this reason the world knows us not, because it knew him not.

Commentaries on Galatians 4:31

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 31So then - We - Jews and Gentiles, who believe on the Lord Jesus, are not children of the bond woman - are not in subjection to the Jewish law, but of the free; and, consequently, are delivered from all its bondage, obligation, and curse. Thus the apostle, from their own Scripture, explained by their own allegory, proves that it is only by Jesus Christ that they can have redemption; and because they have not believed in him, therefore they continue to be…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 31So then, brethren - It follows from all this. Not from the allegory regarded as an argument - for Paul does not use it thus - but from the considerations suggested on the whole subject. Since the Christian religion is so superior to the Jewish; since we are by it freed from degrading servitude, and are not in bondage to rites and ceremonies; since it was designed to make us truly free, and since by that religion we are admitted to the privileges of sons…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 28-31Verses 28-31 The history thus explained is applied. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free. If the privileges of all believers were so great, according to the new covenant, how absurd for the Gentile converts to be under that law, which could not deliver the unbelieving Jews from bondage or condemnation! We should not have found out this allegory in the history of Sarah and Hagar, if it had not been shown to us, yet we…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 30-31Sarah's demand about Ishmael in Genesis 21:10 becomes a guideline (see Genesis 21:12) for dealing with the current son of the slave woman (anyone who refuses to abandon slavery to the law). God does not let those who try to be righteous through their own efforts share in his inheritance (see Romans 9:30–33). Those who come to God through Jesus Christ alone, by faith and not by following the law, are children of the free woman who inherit God's blessings.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3131. So then--The oldest manuscripts read, "Wherefore." This is the conclusion inferred from what precedes. In Ga 3:29 and Ga 4:7, it was established that we, New Testament believers, are "heirs." If, then, we are heirs, "we are not children of the bond woman (whose son, according to Scripture, was 'not to be heir,' Ga 4:30), but of the free woman (whose son was, according to Scripture, to be heir). For we are not "cast out" as Ishmael, but accepted as…Read the comment

Topics related to Galatians 4:31

• Abraham
• Justification
• Law
• Parables

In the dictionaries

• Doubt
• Flesh
• Observe
• Sarah
• Zealously
• Abraham
• Allegory
• Freewoman
• Galatians, Epistle to the
• Pauline Theology

Commentaries on Galatians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings