Christmas · The First Sunday after Christmas
Galatians 4:1-7
Sons of God
December 28, 2025
Overview & Insights
“God sent forth his Son, born of woman... so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)
The basis upon which Paul makes the previous statement in verse 25 is his conviction that the Galatians are all sons of God by virtue of their being in Christ Jesus . Paul continues to work with the metaphor of inheritance to underscore that all of his readers are inheritors of God’s promise. Paul emphasizes that the Galatians already are “sons” or inheritors of God’s promise. (Paul’s use of “sons” is meant not to exclude the female members of the Galatian churches, but to work with the inheritance metaphor. In the ancient world it was generally sons and not daughters who could expect to be inheritors.) For the benefit of both his Gentile Galatian converts and the Jewish Christian troublemakers who would have eventually heard his words, Paul says that “all” receive the inheritance through the faith of Jesus Christ.
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Galatians 4 - Sons and Heirs Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on redemption from law-guardianship and adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-7 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed reading of God sending the Son, born under the law, to redeem and adopt (overlaps the one-year 4:1-7).
Galatians 4 Commentary Precept Austin
Evangelical verse-level commentary gathering sources on heirs, the fullness of time, and the Spirit of adoption.
Galatians 4:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators on the heir who is no different from a slave until the appointed time.
Background & Word Study
Galatians Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary introduction to Galatians and Paul's argument about law and freedom.
Book of Galatians Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the whole letter that sets up the adoption argument of chapter 4.
Galatians 4:1 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word-by-word text for study of huiothesia (adoption) and Abba.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why is Galatians 4 a Christmas reading?
It gives the theology of Christmas in one sentence: in the fullness of time God sent his Son, born of a woman, to redeem us and make us sons and heirs who cry, “Abba, Father.”
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on Luke 2:(22-32) 33-40
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.