How we cite our quotes:
Quote #4
My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; but they remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spirits of the world[…] Now, however, that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits? How can you want to be enslaved to them again? (Galatians 4:1-3, 9, NRSV)
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. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world[…] But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? (Galatians 4:1-3, 9, KJV)
Same idea, different metaphor. This time, humans are little children just waiting to cash in on their inheritance. Now, God has left us riches beyond our wildest dreams, and we don't have to worry about all these earthy concerns. We can focus on God. Yet some people still want to go back to the way things were. Paul just doesn't get it.
Quote #5
But what does the scripture say? "Drive out the slave and her child; for the child of the slave will not share the inheritance with the child of the free woman." So then, friends, we are children, not of the slave but of the free woman. For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 4:30-5:1, NRSV)
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 4:30-5:1, KJV)
This is the end of Paul's little allegory about Hagar and Sarah. He identifies with the children of Sarah—the free woman—and doesn't want anyone to cling to the slave family. After all, even way back in Genesis, God didn't want them hanging around.
Quote #6
You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. (Galatians 5:13, NRSV)
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13, KJV)
Free at last, right? We can do whatever we want!
Whoa. Slow down. Just because we're free from worrying about obeying the law doesn't mean we can go crazy. Paul says we've still got to remember to care for other people.