Galatians 3:26
26 For [gar] ye are [este] all [pas] the children [huios] of God [theos] by [dia] faith [pistis] in [en] Christ [Christos] Jesus [Iesous]. KJV-Interlinear
26 For you are all sons of God
through faith in Christ Jesus. NASB
Children of God is a reference to not just any
child, but to sons, and not just any son, but the first born son.
The whole point of Pauls subject here is that as a
child, as in this example from these previous verses, the child is under the
watch of another, under the scrutiny of another, subject to the constraints and
restraints and punishments that are imposed on him while he is growing up and
while he is under the watch and control of his guardian.
But, when a child comes of age, then he advances
out from under the constraints and control of a guardian, and enters into the
privileges of an heir.
This is a new period of freedom under which the
child is no longer under the requirements or restraints or demands of the
former guardian.
The guardian is of course the Law, which restrains and
imposes severe punishments if not followed to the letter. And no one can come even close to compliance
with the Law.
The Law, which is the Mosaic Law, sets forth the
requirements of a godlike perfect life.
No one can do that. And since all
fail in perfection, then imperfection is imposed and imperfection is not compatible
with God, thus the Lake of Fire, or eternal separation from God and heaven.
However, faith provides a way out of that dilemma.
With faith, we are not only, no longer children of
corruption, but we are children of God.
And not only children of God, but first born sons, as it were.
Historically, the first born son would receive the
inheritance and even a double portion of an inheritance. The first born son is
first in line for inheritance and privilege within the family structure.
Now, there is no longer a distinction of race, or color,
or gender, or culture, or anything of a worldly nature. We, who have believed in Christ, are all
first born sons, family of God.
And this is by means of faith which is the result
of Gods work, not ours
