Deepen

Paul continues to press the truth of justification by faith into the letter to the Galatians to bring them back to the heart of the gospel. He uses the example of Abraham, Hagar and Sarah to prove his point about works based and faith-based righteousness.

Isaac came as a child through the promise from God, thus representing being born by faith. Ishmael was the child that came through Abraham and Sarah’s lack of faith in God. They wanted their promise fulfilled on their timing, so they took matters into their own hands and Ishmael represents a works based righteousness.

• Why does Paul compare and contrast the flesh and Spirit?
• How have you been bewitched like the Galatians were? (How have you strayed from the true gospel?)

Galatians 4:21-31

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. ²³ But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. ²⁴ Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. ²⁵ Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written,

“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
    break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
    than those of the one who has a husband.”

²⁸ Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. ²⁹ But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. ³⁰ But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” ³¹ So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for always fulfilling your promises. You are so faithful. When I stray from the true gospel please bring me back quickly. Amen