Galatians 4:21-31 – Two kinds of believers

These eleven verses form probably the most difficult passage in the letters to the Galatians. Paul used some Old Testament characters to discuss his point. Illustrating from the lives of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael and Isaac, Paul allegorizes historical facts. In so doing he unwittingly made it both technical and difficult. Bear in mind that Paul was addressing the people who made much of the Law (v.21), much like the legalistic people in modern Christianity. Such people insist on the need to adhere strictly to the Law, thus turning the Gospel into strict observance of custom, regulations and traditions. Therefore, this passage is just as relevant to us today as it was to Paul’s audience. We see him disarming the legalist’s argument by borrowing the very ground they used to prove their case.

Paul’s first argument is based on history. In verses 22-23, he proved that true Abraham’s descendents are his spiritual and not physical descendent. Their link with him was not derived strictly from genealogical lineage. Rather, it would come from their choice to follow in his footsteps and act in faith as he did. As Abraham believed and obeyed God, so true descents of his are those who also believe and obey God.

Using Abraham’s two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, Paul made his case. Although they both came from him, they were different. Ishmael was a child of his fleshly attempt whereas Isaac was a child of promise. They were born of different mothers and were conceived differently. Ishmael was born of Hagar and Isaac born of Sarah. And Ishmael was naturally conceived whilst Isaac was supernaturally conceived.

Paul’s second argument from verses 24-27 is based on an allegory. He illustrated his point using the two women who gave birth to Abraham’s two sons. Hagar and Sarah stand for two covenants – one earthly Jerusalem and one heavenly Jerusalem. Here Paul suggests to us that Hagar, the slave, is a symbol of the Old Covenant and Ishmael represents the people of the earthly Jerusalem. Sarah, the free woman, on the other hand, is a type of the New Covenant and Isaac her son, a representation of people of the heavenly Jerusalem. Paul’s point is this: While both sons were Abraham’s, it is important to identify who the mother was. Believers can either be like Ishmael or like Isaac, depending on the source – from Hagar or Sarah, the Law or the promise, the old or the new covenant, and of the flesh or of the Spirit.

Paul’s third argument from verses 28-31 is more an application. In verse 28 Paul concluded that we, Christians, are like Isaac. We are children of promise. We are linked to Abraham spiritually. Therefore, we will be treated like Isaac was treated. Just like Isaac who was persecuted by his brother Ishmael (v.29), so also Christians can expect difficult time from so called believers. And also just as Isaac was kindly treated by his father Abraham, so also can true believers expect kind treatment by God.

We need to know that freedom in Christ does not give us the right to do as we please. It only gives us the power and ability to do as we ought to do. We must walk as God wants us to walk. True liberty gives us the ability to walk within the boundaries of God’s unfailing love.