Galatians 4:21-27 (WEL) Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you understand the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a maid servant and the other by a freeborn woman. 23 The one from the maid servant was born by natural means, but the one from the freeborn woman was born by a promise. 24 These things are an allegory, for these are two legal agreements. One corresponds to Mount Sinai, which leads to slavery; this is Hagar. 25 For Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the Jerusalem that is now, and who is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, who is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren who doesn’t bear children, release your emotions and shout, you who never felt birth pains, for the deserted woman has many more children than she who has a husband.” [Isaiah 54:1]
V21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you understand the law?
Being under Mosaic law was important to Israel, but it could not and did not make a person feel free from guilt and the final consequences of sin. See Hebrews 7:18, Galatians 2:16-21, and 2 Corinthians 3:6-11. The law had to be obeyed perfectly. Sacrifices were needed frequently. See Hebrews 9:13-14, Hebrews 10:4, and Hebrews 10:19.
V22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a maid servant and the other by a freeborn woman.
Paul gives an illustration by comparing his two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. Hagar was the mother of Ishmael, and Sarah was the mother of Isaac. Ishmael was the son of the flesh, but Isaac was the son of promise. Hagar was a servant, and Sarah was a freeborn woman.
V23 The one from the maid servant was born by natural means, but the one from the freeborn woman was born by a promise.
Lipscomb comments:
“Abraham and Hagar were united in accordance with natural counsels and with results after the order of nature. Sarah was aware, indeed, of the promise of God to Abraham that he should have a son, but her own name had not yet been mentioned in connection therewith, and assuming that the promise was impossible of fulfillment through herself, she planned to bring it about through Hagar, her handmaid. (Genesis 16:1-2). To Sarah’s device Paul refers. From it sprang evils innumerable, first for Abraham and Sarah, then for Isaac, then for the people of Israel at large. God’s word is settled forever in heaven, and cannot fail of its fulfillment; but God is not to be hindered or hurried in any.”
God’s unconditional promises are always guaranteed.
V24 These things are an allegory, for these are two legal agreements. One corresponds to Mount Sinai, which leads to slavery; this is Hagar.
The allegorical method of Bible interpretation is evil unless it is obviously so. Here, Paul specifically points out that he is making an allegorical interpretation of these two sons and how they were born.
V25 For Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the Jerusalem that is now, and who is in slavery with her children.
The slavery is to the firm observance of the Mosaic Law.
V26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, who is the mother of us all.
This is the heavenly Jerusalem, which is free. It is not a slave city. It had the Temple made without hands that the Lord Jesus entered with His own blood to make atonement for our sins. See Hebrews 9:11. The mother of us all is referring to the analogy since Hagar and Sarai/Sarah are women.
V27 For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren who doesn’t bear children, release your emotions and shout, you who never felt birth pains, for the deserted woman has many more children than she who has a husband.” [Isaiah 54:1]
There is always a remnant who is saved. There was a remnant in Israel who feared the Lord (saved, born again). There is a remnant today of humanity, for though the Gospel is offered to all, only a few accept and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Most reject and suppress the truth because of pride (I am a good person), love of sin, or believe lies (believing in a false gospel).
We learn:
- A principle of Bible interpretation.
- Some differences between salvation by Mosaic Law (salvation is impossible) and the Law of Christ (faith alone in Jesus alone).
Questions:
- What Gospel do you believe and teach?
- Do you add anything to the Gospel that makes it necessary to earn salvation?