41 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

Other Translations of Galatians 4:1

New International Version

41 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate.

English Standard Version

41 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave,Greek bondservant; also verse 7 though he is the owner of everything,

The Message

41 Let me show you the implications of this. As long as the heir is a minor, he has no advantage over the slave. Though legally he owns the entire inheritance,

New King James Version

41 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,

New Living Translation

41 Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Galatians 4:1

Commentary on Galatians 4:1-7

(Read Galatians 4:1-7)

The apostle deals plainly with those who urged the law of Moses together with the gospel of Christ, and endeavoured to bring believers under its bondage. They could not fully understand the meaning of the law as given by Moses. And as that was a dispensation of darkness, so of bondage; they were tied to many burdensome rites and observances, by which they were taught and kept subject like a child under tutors and governors. We learn the happier state of Christians under the gospel dispensation. From these verses see the wonders of Divine love and mercy; particularly of God the Father, in sending his Son into the world to redeem and save us; of the Son of God, in submitting so low, and suffering so much for us; and of the Holy Spirit, in condescending to dwell in the hearts of believers, for such gracious purposes. Also, the advantages Christians enjoy under the gospel. Although by nature children of wrath and disobedience, they become by grace children of love, and partake of the nature of the children of God; for he will have all his children resemble him. Among men the eldest son is heir; but all God's children shall have the inheritance of eldest sons. May the temper and conduct of sons ever show our adoption; and may the Holy Spirit witness with our spirits that we are children and heirs of God.