"Adoption as Sons"

In Romans 8:15, the phrase “adoption as sons” is best understood within the historical context in which it was written. Adoption in the Roman world was much different than adoption in our day. In step 1 of adoption, the Mancipatio, there was a symbolic sale in which, using a scale and copper coins, the father would twice sell his child and them buy him back. He would then sell his child a third time, at which point the sale was final. In step 2, the Vidicatio, the father would make his case for making a legal adoption before the Roman magistrate. In step 3, seven witnesses bore witness to the entire procedure. The results of the adoption were that all of the rights to the old family were severed. All of the rights of the child would then be held by the new family. Here the adopted son was made a full heir to his new father’s estate. The new adoptee was regarded as a new person. And he became the son of the new father in the eyes of the law.

Praise be to God! "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"