Galatians 4:6
What does Galatians 4:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 4:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 4:6 means
Because believers are sons, God sends the Spirit of His Son into their hearts, producing the intimate cry, “Abba, Father.” This is the inward witness and experience of adoption. It is Trinitarian: the Father sends the Spirit of the Son, uniting us to Christ’s own filial relationship. The cry is not formalism but heartfelt dependence and trust. Assurance does not rest on external badges but on the Spirit’s work within. This verse means that Christian identity is not only a legal status but also a living communion with God, characterized by confidence and nearness. The Spirit’s presence evidences that we belong to God’s family now, not only in the future.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And because you are sons, God has sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, saying, Abba, Father.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and because ye are sons, God did send forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, `Abba, Father!'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But because ye are sons,God has sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Context
After redemption and adoption (v. 5), Paul shows the experiential seal: the Spirit sent into hearts. The sequence mirrors salvation history applied personally. Verse 6 explains how sonship is known and felt, which leads naturally to verse 7’s conclusion about no longer being a bondservant but an heir. The frame is vital: status (v. 5) and assurance (v. 6) go together, countering the Galatians’ temptation to seek assurance in legal observances. Next, Paul will sum up the new identity and its implications.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 44:3
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
- Hebrews 4:14
Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
- Ephesians 6:18
with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
- Ephesians 2:18
for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father.
- Jude 1:20
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
- 2 Corinthians 1:22
who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
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