[3:21] Does this mean that the Law is against God's promises? No, not at all! For if human beings had received a law that could bring life, then everyone could be put right with God by obeying it.
[3:22] But the scripture says that the whole world is under the power of sin; and so the gift which is promised on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ is given to those who believe.
[3:23] But before the time for faith came, the Law kept us all locked up as prisoners until this coming faith should be revealed.
[3:24] And so the Law was in charge of us until Christ came, in order that we might then be put right with God through faith.
[3:25] Now that the time for faith is here, the Law is no longer in charge of us.
[3:26] It is through faith that all of you are God's children in union with Christ Jesus.
[3:27] You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself.
[3:28] So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus.
[3:29] If you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of Abraham and will receive what God has promised.
[4:1] But now to continue—the son who will receive his father's property is treated just like a slave while he is young, even though he really owns everything.
[4:2] While he is young, there are men who take care of him and manage his affairs until the time set by his father.
[4:3] In the same way, we too were slaves of the ruling spirits of the universe before we reached spiritual maturity.
[4:4] But when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son. He came as the son of a human mother and lived under the Jewish Law,
[4:5] to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might become God's children.
[4:6] To show that you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, “Father, my Father.”
[4:7] So then, you are no longer a slave but a child. And since you are his child, God will give you all that he has for his children.