Galatians 4:1–2

Memory Verse

But I say, until as long a time as the heir is an inarticulate babbler, he does not differ from a slave, being lord of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the appointment by the Father (Galatians 4:1–2).

An inarticulate babbler is a person—often an adult—who speaks without coherent understanding, maturity, or reasoned discourse; one who utters words or expresses ideas in an immature, confused, or nonsensical manner due to lack of spiritual or intellectual discernment.

In Roman culture, the master’s son was placed under the household’s stewards to train him to maturity in thinking, reasoning, and understanding, so that he could run the household properly. The child was treated no differently from a slave while he was being trained. When the father determined that his child was ready, he would appoint him to the position of a son. This position is that of someone who is mature, no longer an inarticulate babbler.

Christians are all, both male and female, appointed to the placement of sons. Therefore, the grace believer is not under the Mosaic law, which served as guard and steward for the Israelites until faith in Christ came (Galatians 3:22–25). Sonship does not refer to a person’s sex; rather, it pertains to maturity. As sons, all Christians are able to mature in their thinking, reasoning, and understanding by training their senses to properly discern what is wrong and what is proper in their conduct, so that they are living out the righteousness they possess in Christ.