διό. Always of practical result rather than argumentative inference (οὖν); a deduction from the preceding Galatians 4:21-30, which must be carried out in daily life (thus forming the transition to the next section); we are therefore free.

ἀδελφοί. Once more, see Galatians 4:28 note.

παιδίσκης, “a mere bondmaid.”

τῆς ἐλευθέρας. The absence of the article before παιδίσκης, and its insertion here, rhetorically direct attention (see Milligan on 1 Thessalonians 4:8) and also suggest the unique character of the Jerusalem above, cf. Galatians 1:10 (τὸν θεόν). This is our true and proper position, to be and behave as—children of the free!

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Old Testament