Study Desk

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. It doesn't say "descendants," referring to many, but "your descendant,"Genesis 12:7">[fn] referring to one person, who is Christ.Genesis 12:3,7; 17:7; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 3:8;">[xr]

For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by the promise. But it was by a promise that God so graciously gave it to Abraham.Romans 4:14; 8:17;">[xr]

Now an intermediary involves more than one party, but God has acted on his own.God is one">[fn]Romans 3:29-30;">[xr]

But the Scripture has put everything under the power of sin, so that what was promised by the faithfulness of Christby faith in Christ">[fn] might be given to those who believe.Romans 3:9,19, 23; 11:32; Galatians 3:8;">[xr]

But now that this faith has come, we are no longer under the control of a guardian.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,Genesis 3:15; 49:10; Isaiah 7:14; Daniel 9:24; Micah 5:3; Matthew 1:23; 5:17; Mark 1:15; Luke 1:31; John 1:14; Romans 1:3; Ephesians 1:10; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14;">[xr]

So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if you are a child, then you are also an heir through God.Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 3:29;">[xr]

But now that you know God, or rather have been known by God, how can you turn back again to those powerless and bankrupt basic principles?elemental spirits">[fn] Why do you want to become their slaves all over again?Romans 8:3; 1 Corinthians 8:3; 13:12; Galatians 3:3; Colossians 2:20; 2 Timothy 2:19; Hebrews 7:18;">[xr]

These peopleThey">[fn] are devoted to you, but not in a good way. They want you to avoid me so that you will be devoted to them.Romans 10:2; 1 Corinthians 11:2;">[xr]

Now the son of the slave woman was conceived according to the flesh, but the son of the free woman was conceived through a promise.Genesis 18:10,14; 21:1-2; Romans 9:7-8; Hebrews 11:11;">[xr]

But the heavenly Jerusalem is the free woman, and she is our mother.the mother of us all">[fn]Isaiah 2:2; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 3:12;">[xr]

But just as then the son who was conceived according to the flesh persecuted the son who was conceived according to the Spirit, so it is now.Genesis 21:9; Galatians 5:11; 6:12;">[xr]

But what does the Scripture say? "Drive out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman must never share the inheritance with the son of the free woman."Genesis 21:10">[fn]Genesis 21:10,12; John 8:35; Galatians 3:8,22, 12;">[xr]

So then, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman.John 8:36; Galatians 5:1,13;">[xr]

For you, brothers, were called to freedom. Only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity to gratify your flesh, but through love make it your habit to serve one another.1 Corinthians 8:9; 9:19; Galatians 6:2; 1 Peter 2:16; 2 Peter 2:19; Jude 1:4;">[xr]

But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you are not destroyed by each other.

But if you are being led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.Romans 6:14; 8:2;">[xr]

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,faith">[fn]John 15:2; Romans 15:14; 1 Corinthians 13:7; Ephesians 5:9; Colossians 3:12; James 3:17;">[xr]

For the person who plants in his flesh will harvest decay from the flesh, but the person who plants in the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit.Job 1:4:8; Proverbs 11:18; 22:8; Hosea 8:7; 10:12; Romans 8:13; James 3:18;">[xr]

But may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 3:3,7-8;">[xr]