To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

GALATIANS 4:5KJV
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Galatians 4:5 (KJV)

What does Galatians 4:5 mean?

Galatians 4:5 says that Jesus came to set free those who were under the law so that people could be adopted as God’s children. The verse explains that the purpose of Jesus’ coming was both to rescue and to bring people into a new relationship with God as sons and daughters.

Paul is writing to the churches in Galatia, reminding them that before Jesus, people were bound by the requirements of the Jewish law. By using the language of “redemption” and “adoption,” Paul highlights both a release from an old system and the gift of a new status within God’s family. This verse is part of a larger argument showing that faith in Christ, not law-keeping, is what brings people into God’s family.

The Greek behind Galatians 4:5

  • “Redeem” (ἐξαγοράζω, exagorazō): This word means to buy back or set free, often used for freeing slaves. Here, it emphasizes that Jesus’ work was to liberate people from being under the law’s control.
  • “Under” (ὑπό, hypo): This word means being beneath or subject to something. In this verse, it stresses that people were in a position of being ruled or controlled by the law.
  • “Law” (νόμος, nomos): Refers to the Jewish law, the set of rules given to Israel. Paul uses it to describe the old way of relating to God, which Jesus came to fulfill and move people beyond.
  • “Receive” (ἀπολάβωμεν, apolabōmen): This word means to take or get something that is given. It shows that adoption as sons is not earned but received as a gift.
  • “Sons” (υἱοθεσία, huiothesia): This word means adoption as children, specifically as sons with full rights. It underlines the idea that believers are given the same status and privileges as natural-born children in God’s family.

Why Galatians 4:5 matters

  • Galatians 4:5 clarifies that belonging to God’s family is not about following religious rules but about what Jesus has done to bring people in.
  • The verse highlights the shift from being under the law’s demands to being welcomed as children with full rights, which is a major theme in Paul’s letter.
  • By using the image of adoption, Paul connects the experience of believers to a familiar legal process in the ancient world, making the spiritual reality more concrete and personal.

Where else these words appear

“redeem” Greek G1805 · used in 4 verses

  • Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
  • Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
  • Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

“sons” Greek G5206 · used in 5 verses

  • Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
  • Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
  • Romans 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

“receive” Greek G618 · used in 11 verses

  • Mark 7:33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
  • Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
  • Romans 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.