Galatians 4:1-7

What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.

(v1-2, NIV)

Now, the comparison is being made between an heir and a slave. Apparently, an heir to some sort of wealth is similar to a slave. This heir is imprisoned until he or she is released to receive the inheritance. There is no question about whether or not the heir will receive the inheritance. Even though the heir is imprisoned until the appointed time, he or she will eventually receive the inheritance and no longer be imprisoned.

So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.

(v3, NIV)

Paul is of course talking about this in order to make a point about us. We are the heirs. In the same way that the heir is enslaved until the appointed time, we were enslaved when we were children. As children, we were enslaved to the elementary principles of this world.

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,

(v4, NIV)

We were imprisoned as children. However, the appointed time came and the inheritance came. Jesus' death on the cross and redeeming love set us free and we receive the inheritance we were appointed to receive all along.

to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

(v5-7, NIV)

Paul was talking about being imprisoned under the law. This is what we were imprisoned to before receiving the inheritance. The sending of God's son allowed us to be adopted as sons. We weren't children of God until we were able to be adopted. This passage applies to Gentiles. Gentiles now can be adopted as sons of God. Before, they were children imprisoned by the law. All along, it was appointed for them be able to receive adoption as sons. However, at first, they were imprisoned and not sons of God.

This passage can also be directed towards Jews. Jews now can receive an intimate relationship with God. This mentality among the Jews was unheard of. A close relationship as a son has with his father is possible for Jews and the Lord Almighty.