4:31a–b

Therefore, brothers: Verse 4:31 is the conclusion to this section. The Greek introduces this conclusion with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore.

Some other ways to translate this conjunction are:

So, brothers, (English Standard Version)
-or-
In conclusion, fellow believers

we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman: In this clause, Paul concluded this section by repeating the main point of his illustration. His main point is the contrast between the two branches of Abraham’s family and who they are.

The slave woman and her slave children represent the Jewish law and those who are slaves to the law. The free woman represents righteousness by faith apart from the law. Her children are free through faith in Christ. The Galatian believers are children of the free woman.

In some languages, it may be necessary to make parts of this explicit. For example:

we are not children of the slave woman ?and slaves to the law? . We are children of the free woman, ?and sons of God by faith? .
-or-
we are not children of the slave woman, obligated to the law. We are children of the free woman, acceptable to God because of our faith. (New Living Translation (1996))

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