Galatians 4:1–20: From Slaves to Sons

Paul speaks not as a distant theologian but as a spiritual father pleading with his children. In Christ, they are no longer slaves but sons, adopted by God and filled with the Spirit. So why go back? Paul’s love and anguish come through clearly as he longs to see Christ formed in them once again.

The Rev. Gem Gabriel, pastor of St. Peter in Norwalk, CT, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Galatians 4:1–20.

There’s urgency in Paul’s voice. No warm greetings. No slow build. Just a sharp rebuke: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you.” The stakes are that high.

Galatians is Paul’s bold stand for the pure Gospel message: Christ crucified and risen, apart from works of the law. When freedom in Christ is threatened by legalism or confused with license, Paul doesn’t hold back. He calls the Church back to the cross, to the promise, and to the Spirit. In this series on Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through one of the most foundational and explosive letters in the New Testament. The message is clear: You are justified by faith, not by what you do.