(GALATIANS 4: 21-5:1)
INTRODUCTION: Originally our Bible had no chapter and verse division. While most of the divisions are well enough arranged, some seem rather arbitrary. The first verse of chapter five(5:1) seems certainly to be out of order at the head of this chapter inasmuch as it does not logically connect with the subject matter in the following verses. However, it is easily seen to be a very strong and logical conclusion to the allegory dealing with spiritual slavery and freedom just preceding (4: 21-31). Properly then the textual division for this lesson, to be read and studied as a unit, is 4: 21-5:1.
In this new section Paul argues, for the sufficiency of Christianity by allegorizing from Sarah and Hagar (Abraham's wife and her slave-servant) and their sons. The allegory is easy to understand as follows:
I. THOSE IN THE ALLEGORY
A. AN ALLEGORY is so spoken as to give a different meaning from that which the words express. As distinct from a parable, the meaning of which must be explained, the allegory has an obvious meaning. Its force takes its rise from Paul's authority as an apostle. Hence, an inspired allegory.
B. SARAH AND HAGAR AND THEIR SONS
Sarah, while not mentioned by name is nevertheless the “free woman,” Abraham's wife and mother of Isaac. Hagar is the “handmaid,” Sarah's bond-slave (Gen. 16: 1-4). The two sons are Isaac and Ishmael (Hagar's son).
II. WHAT THEY REPRESENT
A. “These Women are”
1. “Two Covenants”--Obviously the old Mosaic and the New Christian. The old covenant was given to Israel in Arabia at Mt. Sinai. All who were under that covenant were in bondage to sin (cf. 3:23; 4: 1-7; 4:9).
2. Two Mothers. Even as the children of free women were born free, so the children of slave women were born into bondage and slavery. Thus Isaac was born free while Ishmael was born into slavery.
3. Two Jerusalems' “ “ The Jerusalem that is now” (in Paul's time), the city representing legalistic Judaism in bondage under the law to sin and death. “The Jerusalem that is above,” heavenly, spiritual, is the church (Heb. 12:22-23).
B. The quotation from Isiah (v. 27) is very meaningful. At the time of Isaiah Judah was about to go into captivity in Babylon. Isaiah foresaw also their return from captivity and used the original barrenness of Sarah as a type of Judah's captivity, and eventual return from captivity. The fulfillment of this prophecy Paul says is realized in the church of Christ- “our mother.” The meaning is further expressed in the following:
C. The two sons Isaac and Ishmael.
1. Ishmael was “born after the flesh,” in the ordinary way in which men are conceived and born.
2. Isaac “was born through the promise” (vs. 23; Gen. 17:15-16), “was born after the Spirit” (v. 29). That is, Isaac, being born as the result of God's supernatural over-ruling in the barren womb of Sarah and the inability of old Abraham to beget a child( Rom. 4: 19), was not born in the ordinary course of nature, but by God's own working in the matter to fulfill his promise.
Thus, all Christians are in respect to sin and death (bondage) like Isaac: born free because of what God did: and all under the law are like Ishmael: in slavery to sin and death. So, the meaning of “cast out the handmaid and her son,” for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the free woman: (Gen. 21: 10, 12) is that hose who “desire to be under the law” are in bondage to sin and cannot inherit remission of sins, which is the promise to Abraham's sons by faith (3:7).
CONCLUSION:
1. “For Freedom did Christ see us free” (5:1). He did for us what the law could not do (Acts 13: 38-39; Rom. 8: 2-3). Put the emphasis on the word “freedom.” We were freed from sin for freedom from sin. Thus,
2. “Stand fast” by obedience of faith in Christ, and bondage will never overtake us.