Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Galatians 4:7

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

Therefore, when we are children and heirs not of a simple inheritance, but of a divine one, and co-heirs with the Only-Begotten, why then do we again become slaves and, holding to the law, reject the faith that granted us adoption?

Commentary on Galatians ↗

Clement of Alexandria

"So also we, when we were children, were in bondage under the rudiments of the world: but when the fulness of the time was came, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons" by Him. …

The Instructor Book 1 ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

So then, you are no longer a slave but a son. And if a son, then an heir through Christ. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Ask of me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession (Psalm 2:7-8). …

Commentary on Galatians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, "Therefore, now he is not a servant, but a son," he mentions the fruit of this gift. First, as to removing all evil, from which we are freed through adoption by the Holy Spirit. This is freedom from bondage. With respect to this he says: "Therefore," i.e., because the Spirit cries "Father" in us, "now," from the time of grace, "he," i.e., each one of us who believes in Christ, "is not a servant," i.e., serving in fear—"I will not now call you servants but friends" (Jn 15:15); "You have not received the spirit of …

Commentary on Galatians ↗