2:3

In 2:3, Paul gave some evidence that he had not run in vain. He gave some evidence that the leaders in Jerusalem approved the gospel that he preached. Paul did not state this explicitly, but he showed that they agreed by telling the Galatians that the leaders did not force Titus to be circumcised.

2:3a

Yet: There is a contrast between 2:2 and 2:3. The contrast is between what Paul feared might happen and what actually happened. He was concerned that the leaders would not agree with him. He was concerned that he had “run in vain” (2:2). But the leaders did agree with him and his message. Paul did not directly state that they agreed. He showed that they agreed with him by telling about Titus.

Some English versions, such the Berean Standard Bible and New International Version, indicate this contrast with the conjunction Yet. Other English versions, such the English Standard Version and New American Standard Bible, indicate this contrast with the conjunction “but.”

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

But I was not running in vain.
-or-
And they did agree (New Living Translation (1996))

not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised: The words not even focus attention on the proof that the church leaders agreed with Paul’s message. The proof was that they did not even require a Gentile to be circumcised. If the church leaders had not agreed with Paul, they would have required that Titus be circumcised. He was right there when they made the decision. But they did not require him to be circumcised. This proved that they agreed with Paul that God accepted Gentile Christians even if they were not circumcised.

Another way to translate this clause is:

They did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised (New Living Translation (1996))

Titus, who was with me: The clause who was with me is a relative clause. It describes Titus. In some languages, using this type of relative clause here would imply that there was another Titus, a Titus who was not with Paul. Even though there were certainly other men with that name, that is not the point here. In those languages, it would be better to translate these words without using a relative clause. For example:

Titus was with me (God’s Word)
-or-
my companion Titus (New Living Translation (2004))

was compelled: The phrase was compelled is passive.

Some ways to translate this phrase are:

• Use a passive clause. For example:

he was not forced (New Century Version)

• Use an active clause. For example:

no one forced (God’s Word)
-or-
they did not require/demand
-or-
they did not insist

circumcised: The word circumcised means “cut off the loose skin at the end of a boy’s penis.” Jews circumcised their sons as an act of obedience to the law.

In some cultures, it may be acceptable to use an explicit expression that means “cut off the loose skin at the end of a boy’s penis.” In other cultures, it may be necessary to use a euphemism to describe this event. Some examples are:

cut off some of the skin
-or-
receive the mark
-or-
ritual cutting
-or-
a mark of cutting

This is the first time that Paul mentioned circumcision in Galatians.

2:3b

even though he was a Greek: The fact that Titus was a Greek implies that he was not a Jew. So he had never been circumcised. (Most of the first Christians were Jews and had already been circumcised.) Nevertheless, the church leaders did not require Titus to be circumcised in order to be accepted as a believer.

In some languages, it may be clearer to put this clause earlier in the verse. For example:

3a Titus went to Jerusalem with me. 3b He was a Greek, 3a but still he wasn’t forced to be circumcised. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

3a Titus was with me, 3b and although he is Greek, 3a no one forced him to be circumcised. (God’s Word)

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

3:14a

in order that: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in order that indicates that 3:14a is the purpose of 3:13a. He means that Christ became a curse for us and redeemed us from the curse of the law (3:13a) so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles (3:14a).

3:14b

the blessing promised to Abraham: This phrase refers to the blessing that God gave to Abraham. This blessing was that Abraham could be put right (justified) with God by trusting in him. God did not require him to obey laws to be justified. That was his blessing.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the blessing given to Abraham (New International Version)
-or-
the blessing which God promised to Abraham (Good News Translation)

In some languages, it may be more natural to translate blessing as a verb. For example:

God blessed Abraham

See bless, Meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information.

would come to the Gentiles: This phrase means that the Gentiles would have/receive the same blessing as Abraham. The meaning is very similar to 3:9a–b, “those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham.”

You should use a verb in your language that is natural to use with the word “blessing.” In some languages, blessings do not come to people. They are “given” or “received.” For example:

might be received by the Gentiles
-or-
God might give the same blessing to the Gentiles
-or-
God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham (New Living Translation (2004))

Gentiles: The word Gentiles refers to all people who were not Jews.

Some ways to translate this word are:

the people who are not Jews
-or-
non-Jews

See Gentiles, Meaning 1 in the Glossary.

in Christ Jesus: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in Christ Jesus is the means by which God blessed the Gentiles. He blessed them “by” or “through” Christ Jesus.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

by believing in Christ Jesus
-or-
through that which Christ Jesus has done

In some languages, it will be more natural to put this phrase earlier in 3:14b. For example:

in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles (English Standard Version)

Christ Jesus: In the phrase Christ Jesus, Christ is his title and Jesus is his personal name.

One way to show this is:

the Christ/Messiah Jesus

Most English versions follow the Greek order here and translate these two words as Christ Jesus. However, in 1:1c, Paul used the phrase “Jesus Christ.” Both Christ Jesus and “Jesus Christ” refer to the same person. So here it is also possible to put Jesus before Christ. For example:

Jesus Christ (Contemporary English Version)

3:14c

so that: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that introduces the second purpose for which Christ redeemed us (in 3:14d).

13a He redeemed us

14a in order that

14b we might receive the blessing promised to Abraham

14c
and so that

14d we might receive the Spirit.

Some ways to connect this part of the verse to the rest of the verse are:

and so that
-or-

He also redeemed us so that

3:14d

by faith: This phrase refers to the way a person receives the Spirit. He receives it by/through believing.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

through faith (English Standard Version)
-or-
because of our faith
-or-
because we believe in Jesus
-or-

We receive this Spirit because we have believed.

See faith, Meaning 1 in the Glossary.

we might receive the promise of the Spirit: The phrase the promise of the Spirit refers to the Holy Spirit. God promised to give the Holy Spirit to those who believe. The promise referred to is probably the passage from Joel 2:28–29 that is quoted in Acts 2:17–18.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

we could receive the Spirit that God promised (New Century Version)
-or-
we might receive the Spirit whom God promised to give us

The Spirit is another blessing of justification by faith. The Galatians received the Spirit by faith. Paul had already said this in 3:2 and 3:5.

we: The pronoun we includes all Christians, both Jews and Gentiles.

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

3:25a

There is a contrast between 3:24 and 3:25. The contrast is between needing a guardian and no longer needing a guardian. Paul introduced this contrast with a Greek conjunction that most English versions translate as “but.” Another way to begin this clause is:

And (New Living Translation (2004))

The Berean Standard Bible has not translated this conjunction, and some other versions, such as the New International Version and Good News Translation, also do not translate it. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either. Connect 3:25a to 3:24b in a way that is natural in your language.

Now that faith has come: This clause refers to the fact that the period of time has arrived when people have faith/belief in Jesus Christ to be justified. The time of the law is finished.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Now the way of faith has come (New Century Version)
-or-
now that the time for believing in Christ has come
-or-
now that the time for faith is here (Good News Translation)
-or-
now Christ has come, and people believe in him to be justified

3:25b

we are no longer under a guardian: This clause indicates that we are no longer under the control/power of the law. The role of the law as our guardian has come to an end. The law was a temporary guardian.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

we are no longer under the control of a guardian (God’s Word)
-or-
the Law is no longer in charge of us (Good News Translation)
-or-
the law is finished being like someone who watches over us

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Paragraph 4:28–31

In this paragraph, Paul showed the Galatians how the allegory about the free woman and the slave woman applied to their situation.

4:28a

Now: In this verse, Paul began to apply his allegory of the previous paragraph. Begin this verse in a way that shows that Paul is going to make an application. For example:

And so
-or-
So then
-or-
Here is the point

In some languages, you may not need to use a connecting word or phrase.

you, brothers: Paul used the pronoun you and the word brothers to directly address the Galatians. He wanted them to pay attention to what he was about to say.

Some ways to translate these words are:

you, my dear fellow believers
-or-
you, fellow believers in Christ
-or-
you, my dear friends

you: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts have you. For example:

you (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, NET Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Good News Translation)

(2) Other Greek manuscripts have we. For example:

we (Revised Standard Version)

(Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, King James Version, Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), with the majority of English versions.

4:28b

like Isaac: Isaac was the name of the son of Abraham and Sarah, the free woman whom Paul spoke of in 4:22–23. He was free. Paul compared the Galatian believers to Isaac.

Some ways to translate this phrase are:

just like Isaac, the son of the free woman
-or-
in the same way as Isaac

are children of promise: Isaac was born because of God’s promise to give Abraham a son. In the same way, the Gentiles have been born spiritually because of God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham. The Gentiles are Abraham’s spiritual children. They are free.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

are counted as Abraham’s children because of God’s promise
-or-
you have become Abraham’s children because of the promise that God made

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

6:3a

In this verse, Paul described the basis for the three warnings/commands that precede it. He introduced this basis with a Greek conjunction that most English versions translate as “for.”

(a) This is the basis for the warning not to be conceited in 5:26a. In other words:

5:26a Do not become conceited…6:3a for/because if you think that you are something…, 6:3b you deceive yourself.

(b) This is the basis for the warning to watch yourself lest you be tempted in 6:1c–d. In other words:

6:1c–d Do not think that you are above being tempted…6:3a for/because if you think that you are something…6:3b you deceive yourself and can be tempted .

(c) This is the basis for the warning to bear one another’s burdens in 6:2a. In other words:

6:2a Bear one another’s burdens, 6:3 for/because you are not more important than other people.

Some other ways to begin this verse are:

I say these things because
-or-

Follow these commands, because

The Berean Standard Bible has not translated this conjunction, and some other versions, such as the New International Version and New Living Translation (2004), also do not translate it. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either. Connect 3:16a to these preceding warnings/commands in a way that is natural in your language.

If anyone thinks he is something: This clause means “if anyone thinks that he is important.” He thinks that he is more important than other people

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

If anyone thinks he is important (New Century Version)
-or-
Someone who thinks himself important (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
If you think that you are an important/big person

when he is nothing: This clause means “when he is not an important person.” Some other ways to translate this clause are:

when he is not (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
but he is not important/big
-or-
but/when you are not an important person

6:3b

he deceives himself: Some other ways to translate this clause are:

he is only fooling himself (New Century Version)
-or-
you are wrong (Contemporary English Version)

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Section 1:6–10

Paul rebuked the Galatians for turning away from the true gospel

In this section, Paul began his plea with the Galatians to turn back to the true gospel. He did this in several ways:

(a) He rebuked them for turning away from the true gospel.

(b) He condemned anyone who proclaimed any other gospel.

At this point in most of Paul’s other letters, he thanked God for his readers. The fact that he does not do that in Galatians shows how concerned and upset he was.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Do not follow false teaching
-or-
Do not turn away from the true gospel
-or-
Follow the Good News We Gave You (God’s Word)
-or-
There Is No Other Gospel (New Revised Standard Version)

Paragraph 1:6–9

1:6a–c

In some languages, it will be more natural to put parts of 1:6a and 1:6c together. In order to do this, the order of some of the clauses in 1:6 will have to be changed. For example:

a I am very surprised at you. b God called you to live in the grace of Christ. a But you quickly started to desert him c and started to follow another gospel.

1:6a–b

the One who: The words the One who refer to God the Father. Paul claimed that the Galatians were not only deserting the true gospel. They were deserting God himself.

Some other ways to translate these words are:

him who
-or-
God who
-or-
God. He

1:6a

I am amazed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as amazed means “astonished” or “surprised.” The context determines whether the reaction is favorable or unfavorable. In this context it is unfavorable.

Paul had expected the Galatian believers to remain faithful to the true gospel. It was hard for him to believe that they were deserting the gospel. Translate this verb in a way that expresses a bad surprise. For example:

I am dismayed/disappointed
-or-
I am shocked (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I am very surprised

how quickly you are deserting: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deserting here refers to switching from one side/team to another. Here it refers to a change of religious belief and practice. It indicates that the Galatians had started “turning away from” or “abandoning” the true gospel. The Greek tense of this verb indicates that the “turning away” was not yet complete.

The phrase how quickly indicates that the Galatians started to turn away from the gospel soon after Paul had taught it to them.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

that you are turning away so soon (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
that you are so soon turning your backs on
-or-
that you are so quickly changing your minds and abandoning/leaving

1:6b

who called you by the grace of Christ:
There are at least two ways to interpret the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as by the grace of Christ.

(1) It refers to the purpose for which God called us. God called us so that we should live in the grace of Christ. In other words, God called the Galatians to experience Christ’s kindness. For example:

called you to live in the grace of Christ (New International Version (2011))

(New International Version (2011), King James Version)

(2) It refers to the means by which God called us. God called us through/by the grace of Christ. For example:

called you by the grace of Christ (New International Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Interpretation (1) has more commentary support than interpretation (2). Many English versions literally translate this phrase as “in the grace of Christ.” So they may also be following interpretation (1), but that is not certain.

When you translate 1:6b, you may want to use the New International Version (2011) as your source text. It says:

called you to live in the grace of Christ (New International Version (2011))

Here the word “live” is used in a figurative sense. Some languages can translate this figurative sense as something like “experience the grace of Christ.” In other languages, this idea is expressed by one of the verbs related to the senses. For example: see, hear, touch, smell, taste/drink, or know the grace of Christ.

Some other ways to translate 1:6b are:

called you to live/experience/know the kindness of Christ
-or-
called you to experience/feel/taste the good that Christ does for us
-or-
invited you to know that Christ helps us
-or-
invited you to receive Christ’s kindness/help

called you: Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

invited you
-or-
summoned you

the grace of Christ: The phrase grace of Christ means “Christ’s kindness, generosity, or favor.” Christ shows his kindness to people who do not deserve it.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Christ’s kindness
-or-
the kind/good things that Christ does for you

See also grace, Meaning 2 in the Glossary.

1:6c

and are turning to a different gospel: This phrase further explains what the Galatians were doing when they started to desert God. They started turning to a different gospel. This means that they started to believe, accept, and follow a message that was different from the true gospel.

The Berean Standard Bible uses two verbs, “deserting” (in 1:6a) and turning (here), to translate one Greek verb. Most English versions also use two verbs.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and are accepting another gospel (Good News Translation)
-or-
and are following a different gospel (NET Bible)
-or-
You have believed another message (Contemporary English Version)

a different gospel: This phrase refers to a false gospel or false message. It contrasts with the true good news that Paul taught.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

a different kind of good news (God’s Word)
-or-
a different way that pretends to be the Good News (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
a different teaching that you think is good news

See also gospel in the Glossary.

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Paragraph 2:14–21

In this paragraph, Paul asked Peter and the other Jewish believers to live according to the true gospel. This meant that they had to reject the idea that they were justified by obeying the law. Paul emphasized that justification is by faith in Christ alone. Peter’s actions had implied that it was also necessary to keep the law. That would make Christ’s death meaningless and nullify the grace of God.

In 2:14c, Paul began to speak directly to Peter. There are at least three ways to interpret where Paul’s direct speech to Peter ends:

(1) It ends after verse 21.

(New International Version, New American Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version)

(2) It ends after verse 14. In verses 15–21, what Paul said to Peter is indirect speech.

(3) It ends after verse 16.

It is recommended that you follow option (1). In 2:15, it is possible that Paul began to also talk to the other people who were there. But he was still also talking to Peter. So Paul’s speech does not end until verse 21.

If you choose option (2), your translation should still show that Paul is indirectly speaking to Peter in 2:15–21. For example, at the beginning of 2:15, the Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English says:

And then I went on to explain that (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

2:14a

This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that is often translated as “but.” Most English versions translate it that way in order to show that there is a contrast between 2:11–13 and 2:14–21. The contrast is between Peter’s wrong way to think and act and the right way. Here is another way to show this contrast:

However

The Berean Standard Bible has not translated this conjunction, and some other versions, such as the New International Version and New Living Translation (2004), also do not translate it. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either. Connect 2:14a to 2:13b in a way that is natural in your language.

When I saw: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I saw includes the meaning of “discovered” or “found out.” Paul discovered that Peter was acting hypocritically and rebuked him.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

When I discovered
-or-
When I noticed/observed

that they were not walking in line with: In Greek, this verb phrase is more literally “they were not walking straight to.” It means that “they did not act/live rightly.” When Peter, Barnabas, and other Jewish believers at Antioch separated themselves from the Gentile believers, they were not living according to the truth of the gospel.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

they were not walking a straight path in line with (Good News Translation)
-or-
that they were not following (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
that they were not really obeying (Contemporary English Version)

they were not walking: This phrase refers to the actions of Peter, Barnabas, and the other Jewish believers who had separated themselves from the Gentile believers.

the truth of the gospel: This phrase means “the message of the true gospel” or “the truth that is the gospel.”

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the true gospel
-or-
the true Good News
-or-
the true message from God

Paul used this same phrase in 2:5b.

2:14b

I said to Cephas in front of them all: This clause introduces Paul’s words of rebuke to Cephas (Peter). One way to make it clear that Paul was rebuking Peter is:

I rebuked Peter in front of everyone and said

in front of them all: This phrase indicates that Paul rebuked Peter where everyone in the Antioch church would also hear what he said.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

publicly
-or-
so that everyone could hear (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

Peter’s actions had affected the whole church in Antioch. It was a serious problem. Paul had to rebuke Peter publicly.

2:14c

If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew: In this “if” clause, there is an embedded phrase who are a Jew. In some languages, it will be easier to put this embedded phrase first. For example:

You are a Jew. But if you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew

The clause If you…live like a Gentile was true. Peter was living like a Gentile in the sense that he was eating with Gentiles. He was not separating himself from Gentiles during meals like Jews were supposed to do. He was probably eating food that was not acceptable to Jews.

In some languages, it will be easier to translate this clause without using “if.” For example:

Even though you are a Jew, you are behaving like a Gentile and not like a Jew.
-or-

Peter, you are a Jew, but you live/act like a person who is not a Jew. You do not live/act like a Jew.

Notice that the phrase a Jew is repeated. In some languages, it is not necessary to repeat it. For example:

Peter, you are a Jew, but you live like a Gentile. (Contemporary English Version)

2:14d

how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?: This is a rhetorical question. It is a rebuke. When Peter stopped eating with the Gentile Christians, his actions implied (falsely) that believers needed to follow Jewish laws. In that way, he was forcing the Gentiles to obey those laws and thus to live like Jews. So Paul rebuked him for his behavior.

Some ways to translate this rebuke are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

How can you require Gentile believers to live like Jews?
-or-
So why do you now try to force those who are not Jewish to live like Jews? (New Century Version)

• As a statement. For example:

It’s wrong for you to force Gentile believers to live like Jews.

• As a command. For example:

You must not force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs!

Translate this rebuke in a natural way in your language.

compel: The word compel means “require.” It is the same word that Paul used in 2:3a.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

force
-or-
push

the Gentiles: In this clause the word Gentiles refers to non-Jewish Christians.

to live like Jews: The Greek word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as live like Jews refers to becoming Jewish.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

to become Jews
-or-
to follow Jewish customs (New International Version)

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

4:7a

So: Verse 4:7 is the conclusion of this paragraph: Believers are no longer slaves, but are sons and heirs. The Greek introduces this conclusion with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So.

Some other ways to connect this verse are:

Therefore (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
So then

you are no longer a slave, but a son: In this clause Paul stated that the believer’s status has changed. The believer is no longer a slave to the law. He is a son.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

You are no longer a slave but instead you are a child of God
-or-
You are not a slave anymore, rather you are a son
-or-
You are a son. You are no longer a slave.

you: In Greek, the pronoun you is singular. This form emphasizes that each believer is a son. In some languages, it may be more natural to use “we” or “you” plural. For example:

we are no longer slaves
-or-
you(plur) are no longer slaves

4:7b

and: The conjunction and introduces a second part of the conclusion. Not only are believers sons, they are also heirs.

Some other ways to connect this clause are:

also
-or-
So

since you are a son, you are also an heir through God: This sentence declares a truth and the consequence of that truth. The truth is that we are sons. There is no doubt about that. The consequence of that truth is that we are also heirs.

Some other ways to translate this sentence are:

since you are his child, God has made you his heir (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
because you are a son/child, God has made you his heir

an heir through God: The phrase an heir through God indicates that God is the one who made you his heir.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

God has made you his heir (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
everything he has belongs to you (New Living Translation (1996))

heir: This is the same word that Paul used in 3:29c. It refers to those who will receive an inheritance.

Some ways to translate this word are:

one who receives the inheritance
-or-
the person who receives the blessing

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.