Galatians 4:5
What does Galatians 4:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 4:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 4:5 means
Christ’s mission had a twofold purpose: to redeem those under the Law and to bestow adoption as sons. Redemption means buying out of slavery—Jesus pays the price to free those bound by the Law’s curse and demands. Adoption means more than release from bondage; it is elevation into the family with full rights. We are not merely pardoned servants but recognized sons and heirs. This is grace beyond justice. The verse clarifies that the end goal of Christ’s coming is relational and legal: a new status before God. It also underscores that salvation is God’s gift in Christ, not our compliance with regulations, and that our identity is now defined by sonship.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
KJV
King James Version · 1611To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949That he might make them free who were under the law, and that we might be given the place of sons.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that those under law he may redeem, that the adoption of sons we may receive;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive sonship.
Context
Having announced the sending of the Son, Paul now states why: to redeem and to adopt. This directly answers the problem of bondage described earlier. Verse 5 links Christ’s work to the believer’s status change, paving the way for verse 6, where the Spirit confirms that status experientially. The flow moves from historical action (God sent His Son), to its redemptive purpose (adoption), to subjective assurance (the Spirit’s cry), culminating in verse 7’s declaration of heirship.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 1:18
knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers;
- Matthew 20:28
even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
- Romans 8:23
And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
- Hebrews 9:12
nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption.
- Romans 9:4
who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
- Titus 2:14
who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.
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