Galatians 4:5

KJV

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

KJV (with Strong's)

To {G2443} redeem {G1805} them that were under {G5259} the law {G3551}, that {G2443} we might receive {G618} the adoption of sons {G5206}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so that he might redeem those in subjection to this legalism and thus enable us to be made God’s sons.

Berean Standard Bible

to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.

American Standard Version

that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 4:5 encapsulates the dual, profound purpose of Christ's advent: to liberate humanity from the bondage and condemnation of the Mosaic Law, and to elevate believers to the full, privileged status of adopted children of God. This verse highlights the radical transformation from legal servitude to intimate familial belonging, made possible solely through divine intervention at the opportune moment in history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Paul's argument in Galatians 4:1-7 employs a powerful analogy of an heir. Before Christ, humanity, particularly those under the Mosaic Law, was likened to a minor heir (Galatians 4:1-2) who, though legally entitled to an inheritance, remained under the supervision of guardians and stewards, effectively no different from a servant. This "childhood" state was characterized by being "enslaved to the elementary principles of the world" (Galatians 4:3). Christ's coming at the "fullness of time" (Galatians 4:4) marks the divinely appointed transition from this state of legal minority and bondage to spiritual maturity and freedom. Galatians 4:5 directly states the *purpose* of Christ's incarnation, elaborating on *how* this transition is achieved, leading into the Spirit's cry of "Abba, Father" in Galatians 4:6 and the declaration of heirship in Galatians 4:7.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of "adoption of sons" (Greek: _huiothesía_) was a significant legal practice in the Greco-Roman world, especially under Roman law. Unlike some modern adoptions, Roman adoption often involved adopting an adult male to secure an heir, perpetuate a family name, or transfer property. This act conferred full legal rights, inheritance, and a new identity, often severing ties with the former family. Paul, a Roman citizen, would have been intimately familiar with this powerful legal metaphor. The "Law" refers primarily to the Mosaic Law, which Jewish believers were born "under" and which some Jewish Christians in Galatia were attempting to impose on Gentile converts. This context highlights the radical shift in status and identity for both Jews and Gentiles who embrace Christ, moving from a system of external rules to an internal, familial relationship with God.
* **Key Themes:** Galatians 4:5 is central to several overarching themes in Paul's letter. It underscores the theme of **Salvation by Grace Through Faith**, contrasting it sharply with attempts to achieve righteousness through adherence to the Law, a concept Paul vigorously defends throughout [Galatians 3](/galatians/3 "Galatians 3 - Justification by Faith"). The verse also develops the theme of **Freedom in Christ**, explaining that Christ's redemptive work liberates believers from the "curse of the law" (as seen in [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse of the Law")) and the bondage it imposed. Most profoundly, it introduces the theme of **Divine Sonship and Inheritance**, revealing that the ultimate goal of redemption is not merely freedom *from* something, but freedom *for* a new, intimate relationship with God as His beloved children and co-heirs with Christ, a status that brings with it the Spirit of adoption ([Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - The Spirit of Adoption")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Redeem (Greek, _exagorázō_):** From Strong's G1805, meaning "to buy up, i.e. ransom; figuratively, to rescue from loss (improve opportunity)." This word implies a marketplace transaction where a price is paid to secure freedom. It signifies liberation from bondage through a costly act, specifically being bought out of the legal obligation and condemnation that the Law imposed.
* **Under (Greek, _hypó_):** From Strong's G5259, meaning "under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through)." In this context, it denotes a state of subjection or authority. To be "under the law" means to be subject to its demands, its judgments, and its inability to provide righteousness, leading to a state of spiritual servitude.
* **Law (Greek, _nómos_):** From Strong's G3551, meaning "law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle)." In Galatians, _nómos_ primarily refers to the Mosaic Law, which, despite its divine origin, could not justify or give life, but rather highlighted sin and brought a curse upon those who failed to perfectly keep it.
* **Receive (Greek, _apolambánō_):** From Strong's G618, meaning "to receive (specially, in full, or as a host); also to take aside." This term emphasizes a full and complete reception, not a partial or temporary one. It signifies the full bestowal of the promised status and benefits of adoption.
* **Adoption of sons (Greek, _huiothesía_):** From Strong's G5206, meaning "the placing as a son, i.e. adoption (figuratively, Christian sonship in respect to God)." This is a legal term signifying the formal act of granting an individual the full legal status, rights, and inheritance of a natural-born son, regardless of biological ties. It denotes a radical change in identity and relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To redeem them that were under the law,"**: This clause states the first, immediate purpose of Christ's coming. The verb "redeem" (Greek: _exagorázō_) carries the strong connotation of buying back or ransoming someone from a state of bondage or slavery. Those "under the law" were not necessarily slaves in a physical sense, but were held captive by its demands, its inability to grant righteousness, and its condemnation of sin. The Law, while revealing God's standard, could not empower obedience or provide forgiveness, thus leaving humanity in a state of spiritual indebtedness and separation from God. Christ's work on the cross paid the ultimate price to liberate humanity from this legal and spiritual predicament.
* **"that we might receive the adoption of sons."**: This clause reveals the ultimate, glorious purpose of Christ's redemption. The "that" (Greek: _hína_) indicates purpose. Freedom from the Law is not an end in itself, but a means to a greater end: the reception of _huiothesía_, "adoption of sons." This legal term signifies a complete change of status, from being a slave or a minor under guardians to becoming a full, legal child of God with all the rights, privileges, and inheritance that accompany such a relationship. It moves believers from a state of external obligation to one of intimate, familial belonging, where God is now truly "Father."

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in this concise verse. The primary device is **Metaphor**, specifically the **legal metaphor** of "redemption" and "adoption." "Redeem" (exagorázō) draws on the imagery of a marketplace transaction, where a person or item is bought out of a state of bondage or possession, emphasizing the costly price involved in securing freedom. This is complemented by the **legal metaphor** of "adoption of sons" (huiothesía), which was a well-understood legal practice in the Greco-Roman world, signifying a formal change of status, identity, and inheritance rights. This metaphor vividly conveys the profound shift from being an outsider or a servant to becoming a full, legitimate heir. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, implicitly contrasting the former state of being "under the law" (a state of bondage and minority) with the new state of "adoption of sons" (a state of freedom, maturity, and full heirship), thereby highlighting the radical transformation wrought by Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 4:5 stands as a foundational statement of Pauline theology, articulating the core of the gospel: Christ's work is not merely to forgive sins, but to fundamentally alter humanity's relationship with God. It moves believers from a covenant of works, where righteousness was sought through adherence to a legal code, to a covenant of grace, where righteousness and sonship are freely bestowed through faith in Christ. This transition is from an external, conditional relationship to an internal, familial, and unconditional one. The Law, while holy, served to expose sin and demonstrate humanity's need for a Savior, ultimately leading to Christ. Christ's redemption liberates us from the Law's condemnation and its inability to justify, opening the door to a new identity as God's beloved children, co-heirs with Christ, and recipients of the Holy Spirit who testifies to this new relationship.
* [Romans 3:23-24](/romans/3-23-24 "Romans 3:23-24 - Justification by Grace")
* [Ephesians 1:5](/ephesians/1-5 "Ephesians 1:5 - Predestined for Adoption")
* [John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Power to Become Children of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 4:5 offers profound comfort and assurance to every believer. It reminds us that our standing before God is not based on our performance or our ability to perfectly adhere to a set of rules, but entirely on the finished work of Christ. We are not merely forgiven, but we are brought into the most intimate of relationships, becoming God's own children. This truth should liberate us from the burden of striving for acceptance and empower us to live from a place of secure identity and belovedness. Knowing we are adopted sons and daughters means we have full access to our Heavenly Father, His resources, and His love. It transforms our understanding of prayer from a duty to a privilege, and our obedience from a legal obligation to a joyful response of love. This verse calls us to embrace the freedom and security of our new identity in Christ, living as beloved children rather than striving servants.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding your adoption as a child of God change your perception of your relationship with Him?**
* **In what areas of your life might you still be living "under the law" instead of in the freedom of adoption?**
* **What practical implications does the truth of your divine sonship/daughtership have for your daily walk, prayer life, and sense of security?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to be "under the law"?**

Answer: To be "under the law" refers to being subject to the Mosaic Law, particularly its demands for perfect obedience and its consequences for failure. It implies a state of legal obligation and condemnation, as the Law, though holy, could not provide the power to perfectly obey or the means of forgiveness, thus holding humanity in a state of spiritual bondage and revealing sin. Paul argues that no one can be justified by perfectly keeping the Law ([Galatians 3:11](/galatians/3-11 "Galatians 3:11 - No One is Justified by the Law")).

**How does "redeem" relate to Christ's work?**

Answer: The Greek word _exagorázō_ (redeem) means to "buy out" or "ransom." It signifies that Christ paid a price – His own life on the cross – to free humanity from the bondage of sin and the curse of the Law. Just as a slave might be bought out of the marketplace, believers are bought out of their former state of legal and spiritual servitude, securing their freedom and new identity in Christ ([1 Corinthians 6:20](/1_corinthians/6-20 "1 Corinthians 6:20 - Bought with a Price")).

**What is the significance of "adoption of sons" in this context?**

Answer: "Adoption of sons" (Greek: _huiothesía_) is a powerful legal metaphor from the Greco-Roman world. It means being formally placed into the position of a full, legal son or heir, with all the accompanying rights, privileges, and inheritance. In the New Testament, it signifies that believers, regardless of their past status, are granted a new, intimate, and secure relationship with God as His beloved children, no longer slaves or minors, but full heirs to His spiritual blessings and eternal kingdom ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 4:5 powerfully articulates the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The "fullness of time" (Galatians 4:4) was precisely when God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to accomplish what the Law could never do. Jesus, born "under the law" Himself, perfectly fulfilled its requirements and bore its curse on the cross, becoming a "curse for us" to redeem us from it ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse of the Law")). His redemptive work, the ultimate act of ransom, was not an end in itself, but the means by which humanity could be reconciled to God and brought into an entirely new relationship. Through His death and resurrection, Christ made it possible for us to "receive the adoption of sons," transforming our status from alienated sinners or legal minors into beloved children and co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). This divine adoption, secured by Christ, is confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit, who enables us to cry out "Abba, Father!" ([Galatians 4:6](/galatians/4-6 "Galatians 4:6 - The Spirit Cries Abba, Father")), testifying to our new, intimate, and eternal familial bond with God through Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son.

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

Hebrews 9:15

¶ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Ephesians 1:5

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

1 Peter 1:18

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;

1 Peter 1:20

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Hebrews 9:12

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].

Revelation 5:9

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;