📖 Galatians — Chapter 4 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Galatians 4:1 Now I say, RThat the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Galatians 4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Galatians 4:3 Even so we, Rwhen we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Galatians 4:4 But when Rthe fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Galatians 4:5 To Rredeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, RGod hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Galatians 4:7 Wherefore Rthou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Galatians 4:8 Howbeit then, Rwhen ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
Galatians 4:9 But now, after that Rye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Galatians 4:10 RYe observe days, and months, and times, and years.
Galatians 4:11 I am afraid of you, Rlest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Galatians 4:12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
Galatians 4:13 Ye know how Rthrough infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
Galatians 4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as Ran angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
Galatians 4:15 Where is then Rthe blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
Galatians 4:16 Am I therefore Rbecome your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Galatians 4:17 They Rzealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.
Galatians 4:18 But Rit is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
Galatians 4:19 My Rlittle children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
Galatians 4:20 I desire Rto be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
Galatians 4:21 Tell me, Rye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
Galatians 4:22 For it is written, Rthat Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
Galatians 4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was Rborn after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Galatians 4:24 Which things are Ran allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
Galatians 4:25 For this Agar is mount RSinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Galatians 4:26 But RJerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Galatians 4:27 For it is written, RRejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Galatians 4:28 RNow we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Galatians 4:29 But as then Rhe that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Galatians 4:30 Nevertheless Rwhat 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 freewoman.
Galatians 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Galatians 4:1–11 — From bondage to adoption
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul describes the Son's coming, redemption, and the Spirit's cry to the Father, warning against returning to bondage.
Key Truth: Live as an adopted child rather than a slave.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Wherefore thou art no more a ____ , but a son; and if a son, then an …” (Galatians 4:7)
Find it in Galatians 4:7 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the ____ of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6)
Find it in Galatians 4:6 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “I am ____ of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in …” (Galatians 4:11)
Find it in Galatians 4:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Galatians 4:12–20 — An appeal from affection
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul recalls the church's earlier welcome and contrasts his concern with rivals' manipulation, longing for Christ to be formed in them.
Key Truth: Receive truth spoken through faithful care.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ , I beseech you, be as I am; for I …” (Galatians 4:12)
Find it in Galatians 4:12 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the ____ ?” (Galatians 4:16)
Find it in Galatians 4:16 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “I ____ to be present with you now, and to change my …” (Galatians 4:20)
Find it in Galatians 4:20 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Galatians 4:21–31 — Two mothers and two conditions
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul uses Hagar and Sarah allegorically to contrast bondage and promise, concluding that believers belong to the freewoman.
Key Truth: Read the illustration in light of God's promise.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Tell me, ye that desire to be under the ____ , do ye not hear the law?” (Galatians 4:21)
Find it in Galatians 4:21 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the ____ of us all.” (Galatians 4:26)
Find it in Galatians 4:26 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the ____ of promise.” (Galatians 4:28)
Find it in Galatians 4:28 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Genesis 21:10 — Paul recalls Sarah's words within his allegorical comparison.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What pressure draws you back toward bondage instead of trusting God's promise?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Galatians 4:1–11 (From bondage to adoption) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Galatians 4:12–20 (An appeal from affection) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Galatians 4:21–31 (Two mothers and two conditions) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What does the Spirit's cry in the heart express?
5. What change in standing is joined with belonging through Christ?
Notes
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