Bible / Galatians
Galatians 4
World English Bible, Catholic edition, in plain modern English. About the translations
Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision, the traditional Catholic English Bible. About the translations
1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all, CCC
2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father. CCC
3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. CCC
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, CCC · Fathers
5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children. CCC · Fathers
6 And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” CCC
7 So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. CCC
8 However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.
9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again?
10 You observe days, months, seasons, and years.
11 I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
12 I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong,
13 but you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time.
14 That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15 What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them.
18 But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you – CCC
20 but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
21 Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman.
23 However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.
24 These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.
25 For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children.
26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. CCC
27 For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break out and shout, you who don’t travail. For the desolate women have more children than her who has a husband.” CCC
28 Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise. CCC · Fathers
29 But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
30 However, what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant and her son, for the son of the servant will not inherit with the son of the free woman.”
31 So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman.
1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all, CCC
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father. CCC
3 So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world. CCC
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law: CCC · Fathers
5 That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons. CCC · Fathers
6 And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father. CCC
7 Therefore, now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God. CCC
8 But then indeed, not knowing God, you served them who, by nature, are not gods.
9 But 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?
10 You observe days and months and times, and years.
11 I am afraid of you, lest perhaps I have laboured in vain among you.
12 Be ye as I, because I also am as you brethren, I beseech you. You have not injured me at all.
13 And you know how, through infirmity of the flesh, I preached the gospel to you heretofore: and your temptation in my flesh.
14 You despised not, nor rejected: but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15 Where 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.
16 Am I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
17 They are zealous in your regard not well: but they would exclude you, that you might be zealous for them.
18 But be zealous for that which is good in a good thing always: and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, of whom I am in labour again, until Christ be formed in you. CCC
20 And I would willingly be present with you now and change my voice: because I am ashamed for you.
21 Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, have you not read the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman and the other by a free woman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh: but he of the free woman was by promise.
24 Which things are said by an allegory. For these are the two testaments. The one from Mount Sina, engendering unto bondage, which is Agar.
25 For Sina is a mountain in Arabia, which hath affinity to that Jerusalem which now is: and is in bondage with her children.
26 But that Jerusalem which is above is free: which is our mother. CCC
27 For 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. CCC
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. CCC · Fathers
29 But as then he that was born according to the flesh persecuted him that was after the spirit: so also it is now.
30 But 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.
31 So then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman but of the free: by the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.
This chapter in the Catechism and the early Church
Where the Catechism of the Catholic Church cites these verses (from its footnotes on vatican.va), and where the earliest Church Fathers quote them (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, public domain). Short quotes only; follow the links for the full text.
Read the Catechism
- CCC 1972 “The New Law is called a law of love because it makes us act out of the love infused by the Holy…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 1972 “The New Law is called a law of love because it makes us act out of the love infused by the Holy…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 1972 “The New Law is called a law of love because it makes us act out of the love infused by the Holy…”
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 422 “But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem…”
- CCC 484 “The Annunciation to Mary inaugurates "the fullness of time", The time of the fulfilment of God's promises and preparations. Mary was invited…”
- CCC 488 “God sent forth his Son", but to prepare a body for him, he wanted the free co-operation of a creature. For this,…”
- CCC 527 “Jesus' circumcision, on the eighth day after his birth, is the sign of his incorporation into Abraham's descendants, into the people of…”
- CCC 531 “During the greater part of his life Jesus shared the condition of the vast majority of human beings: a daily life spent…”
- CCC 580 “The perfect fulfilment of the Law could be the work of none but the divine legislator, born subject to the Law in…”
“… And again, in his Epistle to the Galatians, he says: "But when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption;”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XVI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
“… shalt be known when the years have drawn nigh; Thou shalt be set forth when the time comes; because my soul is disturbed by anger, Thou shalt remember Thy mercy." Paul also says: "But when the fulness of time came, God sent forth His Son.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XVI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
“… until the seed should come to whom the promise was made." This fact is exhibited in a still clearer light in the same Epistle, where he thus speaks: "But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book V, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 422 “But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem…”
- CCC 1265 “Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte "a new creature," an adopted son of God, who has…”
- CCC 1972 “The New Law is called a law of love because it makes us act out of the love infused by the Holy…”
“… And again, in his Epistle to the Galatians, he says: "But when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption;”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XVI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism
- CCC 683 “No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit." "God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our…”
- CCC 689 “The One whom the Father has sent into our hearts, the Spirit of his Son, is truly God. Consubstantial with the Father…”
- CCC 693 “Besides the proper name of "Holy Spirit," which is most frequently used in the Acts of the Apostles and in the Epistles,…”
- CCC 1265 “Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte "a new creature," an adopted son of God, who has…”
- CCC 1695 “Justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God," "sanctified . . . (and) called…”
- CCC 1972 “The New Law is called a law of love because it makes us act out of the love infused by the Holy…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 723 “In Mary, the Holy Spirit fulfills the plan of the Father's loving goodness. With and through the Holy Spirit, the Virgin conceives…”
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 723 “In Mary, the Holy Spirit fulfills the plan of the Father's loving goodness. With and through the Holy Spirit, the Virgin conceives…”
“As Paul does also testify, saying that we are children of Abraham because of the similarity of our faith, and the promise of inheritance.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter VII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
“… God through the Lord, as John the Baptist said: "For God is able from the stones to raise up children to Abraham." Thus also the apostle says in the Epistle to the Galatians: "But ye, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of the promise.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book V, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1