sons of God: In the Old Testament, this phrase referred to Israel, the people God called to be his own (see especially Exodus 4:22; Jeremiah 3:19; 31:9; Hosea 11:1). Paul uses it to remind believers that they have a close relationship with God and that they will inherit many of the promises and blessings given to Israel. Christians are no longer minors or slaves, but mature children with full rights (see Galatians 4:1–7).