When the apostle Paul describes the relationship between God and those who belong to him, he uses different concepts, one of which is "adoption" (huoithesia). He uses it five times: Romans 8:15, 23, Romans 9:4, Galatians 4:5, and Ephesians 1:5. The article explores the origin of the metaphor and then the different aspects of the life with God that it entails.