Galatians 4:1-7

Lexham Theological Wordbook υἱός

υἱός (huios). n. masc. son. Refers to a son, or more broadly a male descendant.

This word primarily refers to an immediate male descendant (Matt 1:21; Rom 9:9). It may also refer to a distant human descendant (e.g., Matt 1:20; 27:9), or a group of descendants (Acts 13:26). It can be used figuratively to refer to a group of people who share a common belief (e.g., Gal 3:7 refers to all who believe as the “sons [huios] of Abraham”).

Galatians: An Introduction and Commentary Galatians 4:7

7. Yet the use of this intimate word is, to Paul, the proof that we have the ‘inner witness’ of the Spirit within our hearts; that in itself convinces us that we are children, not slaves.

Sometimes you may feel burdened by rules and expectations at home, overwhelmed by the pressure to be perfect. Remember that being under the law means striving for perfection on your own, which leads to

Lexham Theological Wordbook νόμος

νόμος (nomos). n. masc. law, principle, custom. Can refer to the law of Moses as a text or as a system.

exhaustion. Instead, focus on extending grace and forgiveness to yourself and others in your household.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Galatians 4:5

those under Law. This is not a redemption from the curse of the Law (as in 3:13), but from a slavery to the entire Mosaic system. The emphasis is not on the penalty of