Les Feldick Bible Study

What does Galatians 4:7 say about being a slave versus a son and an heir?

Galatians 4:7 declares that the believer is no longer a slave but a son, one in full heirship, an heir of God through Christ. This agrees with Romans 8, confirming that saving faith makes believers true sons and heirs, not servants.

Les explains that if we are children of God and true sons by saving faith, then we are heirs—not of some rich grandfather or corporation president, but heirs of God. He tightens it further: we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Just as joint owners of property both have rights, so the believer shares heirship with Christ, which may mean suffering with Him and also experiencing glorification with Him. Verse 7 in Galatians agrees with Romans 8: no more a slave, but a son, one in full heirship, an heir of God through Christ.

Galatians 4:7

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Romans 8:17

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

More Questions

What does Galatians 4:7 say you are now instead of a servant?

Because of all Paul unveiled in the previous chapters, verse 7 says you are no more a servant or slave, nor even a little child under tutors, but a full-blown son in full partnership with the Father.