Galatians 4:21-27

²¹ “Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and one by the free woman. ²³ But the son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. ²⁴ This is speaking allegorically, for these women are two covenants: one coming from Mount Sinai giving birth to children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar.²⁵ Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is enslaved with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written:

‘Rejoice, infertile one, you who do not give birth;
Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor;
For the children of the desolate one are more numerous
Than those of the one who has a husband.’”

Verse 21: Paul begins by addressing those in the Galatian community who desire to be under the law. He challenges their understanding of the law and prompts them to consider its true message and purpose. As Paul says throughout Galatians, the law exists to reveal the nature of sin, not provide a solution to the sin problem.

Verse 22: Paul refers to the story of Abraham, who had two sons – Ishmael, born to the slave woman Hagar, and Isaac, born to the free woman Sarah. This serves as an allegory to illustrate the distinction between the Old Covenant represented by Hagar and the New Covenant represented by Sarah.

Verse 23: Paul highlights the different circumstances surrounding the birth of Ishmael and Isaac. Ishmael was born through natural means, according to the flesh, while Isaac was born as a result of God’s divine promise. This further emphasizes the contrast between the Old Covenant based on human effort and the New Covenant based on God’s grace.

Verse 24: Paul clarifies that the story of Abraham’s two sons is to be understood figuratively. The two women, Hagar and Sarah, symbolize the two covenants. Hagar represents the Old Covenant given at Mount Sinai, which leads to slavery.

Verse 25: Paul further explains the symbolism, stating that Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem. Just as Hagar and her children were in slavery, so too are those who seek to live under the Old Covenant.

Verse 26: In contrast to the slavery represented by Hagar and the earthly Jerusalem, Paul introduces the concept of the Jerusalem that is above. This heavenly Jerusalem is associated with freedom and is described as the mother of believers.

Verse 27: Paul quotes from Isaiah 54:1 to further support his argument. This prophecy speaks of the joy and abundance that will come to the barren woman, representing the Gentiles who were once without hope. It emphasizes the inclusion of the Gentiles in the family of God through the New Covenant.