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Galatians 4:1 — King James Version← Study notes

Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;


Galatians 4:1Greek Interlinear

Greek · Galatians 4:115 words
GreekMeaning
ΛέγωLegō
I sayverbG3004
δέde
nowwordG1161
ἐφ’eph’
forprepositionG1909
ὅσονhoson
as long asrelative pronounG3745
χρόνονchronon
timenounG5550
ho
thearticleG3588
κληρονόμοςklēronomos
heirnounG2818
νήπιόςnēpios
a childadjectiveG3516
ἐστινestin
isverbG1510
οὐδὲνouden
in nothingadjectiveG3762
διαφέρειdiapherei
he differsverbG1308
δούλουdoulou
from a slavenounG1401
κύριοςkyrios
though ownernounG2962
πάντωνpantōn
of everythingadjectiveG3956
ὤνōn
beingverbG1510
Greek text from the SBL Greek New Testament (SBLGNT). Transliteration follows SBL Academic conventions.

Church Fathers on Galatians 4:1

The word “child” in this place denotes not age but understanding; meaning that God had from the beginning designed for us these gifts, but, as we yet continued childish, He let us be under the elements of the world, that is, new moons and sabbaths, for these days are regulated by the course of sun and moon. If then also now they bring you under law they do nothing else but lead you backward now in the time of your perfect age and maturity. And see what is the consequence of…

Chrysostom · 4th century · Commentary on Galatians, Chapter 4
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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Amara OseiNote3mo ago
The Heir Who Remains in Bondage
Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. The heir owns ...
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Mary PatelNote3mo ago
God's faithfulness through history - Galatians 4
I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. The contrast between human weakness and divine strength is so vivid in this passage. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. God is fa...
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