Galatians 4:7
What does Galatians 4:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 4:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 4:7 means
Paul draws the conclusion: you are no longer a bondservant but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. The gospel changes relationship and future. Sonship displaces servitude; inheritance replaces insecurity. This is not earned but given “through God,” showing divine origin and guarantee. The verse invites believers to live out what they are, not to work to become what God already made them in Christ. It presses the contrast between the old bondage under the Law and the new freedom of family belonging. To return to servile status would deny the privilege and certainty that the Father has bestowed.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that you are no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, then the heritage of God is yours.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862so that thou art no more a servant, but a son, and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore, now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890So thou art no longer bondman, but son; but if son, heir also throughGod.
Context
Verses 4–6 described God’s timing, Christ’s redeeming work, and the Spirit’s witness. Verse 7 states the result in simple, powerful terms, concluding the first argument of the chapter. With identity secured, Paul will now pivot (vv. 8–11) to warn the Galatians against turning back to bondage, and then appeal to their past relationship with him (vv. 12–20). The flow moves from theological foundation to pastoral concern, grounded in the reality of heirship.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 32:38
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
- Galatians 3:29
And if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.
- Psalms 73:26
My flesh and my heart faileth; ButGod is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
- Lamentations 3:24
Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
- 2 Corinthians 6:16
And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
- Galatians 3:26
For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.
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