Galatians 4:31

KJV

So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

KJV (with Strong's)

So then {G686}, brethren {G80}, we are {G2070} not {G3756} children {G5043} of the bondwoman {G3814}, but {G235} of the free {G1658}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So, brothers, we are children not of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

American Standard Version

Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 4:31 serves as a powerful concluding declaration in Paul's allegorical argument, asserting the true spiritual identity of believers. Having contrasted the two covenants represented by Hagar and Sarah—one leading to bondage under the Law, the other to freedom through promise—Paul unequivocally states that those in Christ are not subject to the former, but are heirs of the latter. This verse encapsulates the core message of Galatians: salvation and sonship are by grace through faith, not by adherence to the Mosaic Law.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Galatians 4:31 provides the climactic summary to Paul's extensive allegorical argument spanning [Galatians 4:21-30](/galatians/4-21-30 "Galatians 4:21-30 - The Allegory of Hagar and Sarah"). In this passage, Paul employs the Old Testament narrative of Abraham, Hagar, and Sarah to illustrate the fundamental difference between the covenant of Law (represented by Hagar and Ishmael, born of human effort and leading to slavery) and the covenant of Promise (represented by Sarah and Isaac, born supernaturally and leading to freedom). The preceding verses detail Hagar's expulsion, directly linking it to the spiritual expulsion of those who cling to legalism. Thus, [Galatians 4:31](/galatians/4-31 "Galatians 4:31 - Children of the Free") serves as the decisive theological conclusion, affirming the Galatian believers' status as children of the free woman, Sarah, and by extension, heirs of the promise in Christ.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The epistle to the Galatians was written to churches grappling with the influence of "Judaizers," Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile converts must be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law to be truly saved or fully righteous. This teaching directly undermined the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work and the doctrine of justification by faith alone. The allegory of Hagar and Sarah would have resonated deeply with a Jewish or Jewish-influenced audience familiar with the foundational narratives of Israel. Paul's use of Abraham, a figure revered by both Jews and Christians, allowed him to dismantle the Judaizers' arguments from within their own theological framework, demonstrating that even Abraham's story points to salvation by promise, not by legalistic adherence. The cultural understanding of slavery versus freedom, and the legal implications of one's birth status (bondwoman vs. free woman), provided a powerful metaphor for the spiritual realities Paul was conveying.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent throughout Galatians. Foremost is the theme of **Freedom in Christ versus Bondage to the Law**. Paul consistently argues that Christ has set believers free from the curse and burden of the Law, a freedom that is not license but liberation for true spiritual life (cf. [Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Stand Fast in Liberty")). Closely related is the theme of **Covenant Theology**, highlighting the superiority of the Abrahamic covenant of promise, fulfilled in Christ, over the Mosaic covenant of Law as a means of justification. The Law's purpose was to expose sin and lead to Christ, not to provide salvation. Finally, the verse underscores **Spiritual Identity and Inheritance**. Believers are not defined by their adherence to legal codes but by their adoption as sons and daughters through faith in Christ, making them true heirs of Abraham's spiritual blessings (cf. [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bondwoman (Greek, _paidískē'_):** From G3814, this term refers to a "female slave or servant." In this context, it directly references Hagar, Abraham's slave, whose son Ishmael was born according to the flesh, representing the covenant of Law given at Mount Sinai. Paul uses this word to signify a state of servitude, a life lived under the impossible demands of the Mosaic Law, which ultimately leads to spiritual bondage and condemnation rather than freedom.
* **children (Greek, _téknon'_):** From G5043, meaning "a child (as produced)." This word emphasizes lineage and identity. Paul is asserting that believers derive their spiritual identity and inheritance not from the "bondwoman" (the Law), but from the "free woman" (the promise of grace). It speaks to spiritual sonship, indicating who our spiritual "mother" is—the heavenly Jerusalem, the covenant of grace.
* **free (Greek, _eleútheros'_):** From G1658, meaning "unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e. (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case) exempt (from obligation or liability)." This term is central to Paul's argument, signifying liberation from the oppressive yoke of the Law. It represents the spiritual freedom and privilege that comes through faith in Christ, allowing believers to live as adopted children of God, exempt from the condemnation and demands of legalism.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So then, brethren":** The Greek particle `ára` (G686, "So then") signals a logical conclusion drawn from the preceding argument. Paul, addressing the Galatian believers as "brethren" (G80, _adelphós_), emphasizes their shared spiritual kinship and the implications of the truth he is about to declare for their collective identity in Christ.
* **"we are not children of the bondwoman":** This clause directly applies the allegory to the Galatian believers and, by extension, to all who are in Christ. It declares that their spiritual lineage and identity are not derived from Hagar, who represents the covenant of Law that leads to bondage. This is a definitive negation of legalism as a path to salvation or spiritual standing.
* **"but of the free":** This is the affirmative declaration, completing the contrast. Believers are spiritually born of Sarah, the free woman, who represents the covenant of promise and grace. This signifies their status as those who have received freedom from sin and the Law through faith in Jesus Christ, inheriting the blessings of Abraham through grace.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices in [Galatians 4:31](/galatians/4-31 "Galatians 4:31 - Children of the Free") to drive home his theological point. The most prominent is **Allegory**, where the historical figures of Hagar and Sarah are used to represent abstract theological concepts: the covenant of Law and the covenant of Grace, respectively. This allows Paul to explain complex theological truths through a relatable narrative. He also uses stark **Contrast**, setting "children of the bondwoman" against "children of the free," which vividly highlights the two mutually exclusive spiritual states. This antithesis underscores the absolute choice believers must make between legalism and grace. Finally, the verse functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Declaration**, a definitive statement of truth that leaves no room for ambiguity, serving as a climactic summary of his preceding argument and a call to embrace their true identity in Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 4:31 profoundly articulates the essence of the New Covenant in Christ, emphasizing that our standing before God is not based on human effort or adherence to the Law, but solely on His gracious promise received through faith. This verse underscores the radical freedom found in Christ, a freedom from the curse of the Law, the power of sin, and the burden of earning righteousness. It redefines spiritual identity, moving believers from a status of servitude to one of adopted sonship, heirs of God's rich promises. This truth liberates believers to live in joyful obedience, motivated by love for God rather than fear of condemnation.

* [Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")
* [John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - True Freedom in the Son")
* [Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22-24 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - The Heavenly Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 4:31 is not merely a theological statement but a profound call to live out our true identity in Christ. It compels us to embrace the glorious freedom that is ours, recognizing that our salvation, acceptance, and inheritance are entirely gifts of grace, not earned by our performance. This truth should liberate us from the subtle (or overt) legalism that often creeps into Christian life, whether it's seeking validation through religious duties, comparing ourselves to others, or feeling condemned when we fail. Living as children of the free means resting in Christ's finished work, walking in the Spirit, and serving God out of love and gratitude, not out of a desperate need to prove ourselves worthy. It calls us to resist any teaching or pressure that would place us back under a yoke of bondage, reminding us that Christ has truly set us free.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I still subtly try to earn God's favor or acceptance through my own efforts, rather than resting in His grace?**
* **How does understanding my identity as a "child of the free" impact my daily walk with God and my interactions with others?**
* **What specific "bondages" (e.g., fear of failure, people-pleasing, striving for perfection) might this verse call me to release in light of my freedom in Christ?**

### FAQ

**What is the "bondwoman" and "free" referring to in Galatians 4:31?**

Answer: In [Galatians 4:31](/galatians/4-31 "Galatians 4:31 - Children of the Free"), Paul is referring to an allegory he developed in [Galatians 4:21-30](/galatians/4-21-30 "Galatians 4:21-30 - The Allegory of Hagar and Sarah"). The "bondwoman" is Hagar, Abraham's slave, whose son Ishmael was born by natural means and represents the Mosaic covenant given at Mount Sinai, which leads to spiritual bondage and condemnation for those who try to earn righteousness through it. The "free" refers to Sarah, Abraham's free wife, whose son Isaac was born by supernatural promise and represents the covenant of grace, which brings spiritual freedom and sonship through faith in Christ. Paul's point is that believers are not under the Law (like Hagar's children) but are heirs of the promise (like Sarah's children).

**Does this verse mean Christians are free to sin?**

Answer: Absolutely not. While [Galatians 4:31](/galatians/4-31 "Galatians 4:31 - Children of the Free") declares freedom from the Law as a means of salvation, this freedom is not a license for immorality. Paul explicitly addresses this in [Galatians 5:13](/galatians/5-13 "Galatians 5:13 - Freedom for Service"), stating, "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." True freedom in Christ is freedom *from* the power of sin, enabling us to live righteously by the power of the Holy Spirit, not freedom *to* sin. Our liberation from the Law's condemnation leads to a joyful and Spirit-empowered obedience, not lawlessness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 4:31 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the one through whom the promise to Abraham is finally realized and the Law's demands are perfectly met. Christ is the true "seed" of Abraham, through whom all nations are blessed, as foretold in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed is Christ"). He is the one who was "born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might receive adoption as sons" ([Galatians 4:4-5](/galatians/4-4-5 "Galatians 4:4-5 - Christ's Incarnation and Our Adoption")). By His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, Jesus fully satisfied the righteous requirements of the Law, liberating us from its curse and condemnation ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). Therefore, our identity as "children of the free" is entirely dependent on our union with Christ. He is the "free" one who bestows His freedom upon us, making us co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")) and enabling us to live in the glorious liberty of the children of God ([Romans 8:21](/romans/8-21 "Romans 8:21 - The Glorious Liberty")). Our freedom is not merely a legal status but a spiritual reality, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of adoption, crying out "Abba! Father!" ([Galatians 4:6](/galatians/4-6 "Galatians 4:6 - Spirit of Adoption")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 8:36

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Galatians 5:1

¶ Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:13

¶ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

John 1:12

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:

John 1:13

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

1 John 3:1

¶ Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

1 John 3:2

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.