Bible Study - Galatians 4
S - And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 4:6–7 ESV
O - Commentary:
God the Father not only "sent His Son"; He also sent the Spirit. Thus the full Trinity is involved in the work of salvation. The Holy Spirit is a gift of God to every believer because of sonship. No sons or daughters lack the Spirit. Further, He is present within each believer's heart to give evidence of that one's position in God's family. The Spirit moves the believer to pray to God, addressing Him as Abba, Father (cf. Rom. 8:15). The word "Abba" is the Aramaic word for "Father." It is the diminutive form used by small children in addressing their fathers. It is appropriate to see its similarity to the English word "Daddy." Used by Christ (cf. Mark 14:36), this familiar form indicates intimacy and trust as opposed to the formalism of legalism.
4:7. To conclude, Paul declared that the Galatians were no longer slaves, but were sons and heirs
Donald K. Campbell, "Galatians," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 601–602.
A - Intimacy with the Creator of all things — including us. That's what this is. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer for one reason: to remind us whose we are. Think about a small child reaching up to their father, arms out, expecting to be lifted. That's the picture. That's the access we have. Not formal. Not distant. Close. When you remember you're a son or daughter of God, you're not just claiming a title — you're stepping into everything that comes with it. This is what family with God looks like.
R - Heavenly Father, You are Father, Son, and Spirit. We're grateful for all three — for who You are and how close You've made Yourself to us. In each Person, we have intimacy with the One who created, holds, and has purpose for all things. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for wanting relationship with us.
