Articles
Are You My Mother - Galatians 4
Are You My Mother - Galatians 4
Paul uses an extended allegory here in Galatians 4 as he compares the two women and the two sons – Hagar / Sarah and Isaac and Ishmael. The comparison is to show the status of those under two different covenants: the old/first/Mosaical and the new/2nd/Christ.
Sarah Hagar
FREE Slave
Isaac Ishmael
Son of Free Son of Slave
New Covenant OLD Covenant
Disciples of Jesus are FREE: free from the Law and free from condemnation of sin. The problem is aligning this with the two covenants (vs. 24). We almost automatically connect Abraham, Sarah, and their offspring through Isaac with the Jewish people and the LAW of Moses (the 1st covenant here). Yet, this first covenant was not given during the time of the Patriarchs – not until the coming of Moses. So, in this allegory, those who are under the LAW are the children of HAGAR, even though they are Jews and physically descended through Sarah/Isaac! If you just let Paul explain his own allegory here, you will do well.
WE that are Disciples are the true children of Abraham (Gal. 3:7, 9, 26-29). As children of Abraham, we are heirs of THE promise of blessing through the Messiah. As such, we are under the covenant of the Messiah, the NEW/2nd covenant. This status of heir applies to BOTH believing Gentiles AND believing Jews!
The conclusion is stated in verse 1 of chapter 5: “1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery: (Galatians 5:1).
SO, who is YOUR mother?
Hugh DeLong
