Sons and Heirs

(Genesis 21:1-8; Romans 8:12-17)

1As long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all, 2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father. 3So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world. 4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law: 5That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father. 7Therefore, now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.

Paul's Concern for the Galatians

8But then indeed, not knowing God, you served them who, by nature, are not gods. 9But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known by God: how turn you again to the weak and needy elements which you desire to serve again? 10You observe days and months and times, and years. 11I am afraid of you, lest perhaps I have laboured in vain among you.

12Be ye as I, because I also am as you brethren, I beseech you. You have not injured me at all. 13And you know how, through infirmity of the flesh, I preached the gospel to you heretofore: and your temptation in my flesh 14You despised not, nor rejected: but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15Where is then your blessedness? For I bear you witness that, if it could be done, you would have plucked out your own eyes and would have given them to me. 16Am I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 17They are zealous in your regard not well: but they would exclude you, that you might be zealous for them. 18But be zealous for that which is good in a good thing always: and not only when I am present with you. 19My little children, of whom I am in labour again, until Christ be formed in you. 20And I would willingly be present with you now and change my voice: because I am ashamed for you.

Hagar and Sarah

21Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, have you not read the law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman and the other by a free woman. 23But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh: but he of the free woman was by promise. 24Which things are said by an allegory. For these are the two testaments. The one from Mount Sina, engendering unto bondage, which is Agar. 25For Sina is a mountain in Arabia, which hath affinity to that Jerusalem which now is: and is in bondage with her children. 26But that Jerusalem which is above is free: which is our mother.

27For it is written: Rejoice, thou barren, that bearest not: break forth and cry thou that travailest not: for many are the children of the desolate, more than of her that hath a husband.

28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29But as then he that was born according to the flesh persecuted him that was after the spirit: so also it is now.

30But what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.

31So then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman but of the free: by the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.