King James Bible
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
Paul contrasts the believers' current state with their former condition under the law, which produced fear of judgment and punishment. The word 'again' suggests a return to slavery would be regression, emphasizing that the Spirit brings freedom rather than the terrifying constraint of trying to earn righteousness. Roman adoption was irrevocable and granted full inheritance rights, making the adoptee legally equal to natural-born children. This Spirit transforms believers from slaves to sons, marking a fundamental change in their relationship to God from servitude to family membership. The Aramaic 'Abba' paired with Greek 'Father' reflects both Jesus' own prayer language and the church's diverse composition. This intimate cry emerges spontaneously from the Spirit's work, demonstrating that adoption is not merely legal but deeply personal, granting believers the same filial access Jesus had.