υἱοθεσία, -ας, ἡ (cf. the cl. phrases, υἱὸν τίθεσθαι, θετὸς υἱός), frequently in Inscr. (see Deiss, BS, 239), adoption of a son (or daughter); metaphorically, of God's relation established (a)
with Israel: Rom.9:4; (b)
with Christians: Rom.8:15, Gal.4:5, Eph.1:5; of its consummation, Rom.8:23. (
AS)