The Allegory
Introduction: Paul's letter to the Galatians uses an allegory to compare salvation by faith with salvation by works of the law. Paul referred to the literal and historical account of Abraham's wives Sarah and Hagar, and the sons they bore, as an allegory to epitomize his comparisons between saving faith and the law. Paul uses this allegory to remind the Galatians that freedom in Christ comes through faith in God's promise, not through the works of the law.
NOTE: All Bible text in this study is taken from the American King James Version.
A — Paul Desired to Be with the Galatians
Comments: Paul had seen the Lord bless in the development of churches in this region where he had traveled during missionary journeys. From his form of address calling them “my little children,” we see that he felt affection for the people to whom he wrote. It is very appropriate that he use the metaphor of travailing in birth, because those who believed that faith in Christ is the only way to heaven are thereby “born again” to eternal life.
B — Better to Be Born by Promise
Comments: Paul wants his readers to have a firm grasp on the complete futility of the law as a way to become sons of God and heirs to his kingdom. The Lord made it clear to Abraham that Ishmael was of value, but Isaac was the son of promise through whom God's blessing would come. Paul uses this historical account as an allegory for two very different ways of approaching salvation.
C — An Allegory for Two Covenants
Comments: Paul expresses that the two women are representative of two covenants. The early church began with Jews who had the Old Testament, and the church continually expanded to an ever increasing number of Gentiles. However, many Jewish Christians were reverting to the law and tradition as the means for their righteousness before God. Hagar's son was a biological descendant of Abraham, but his birth did not fulfill the promise of God. Isaac was that son of promise conceived in Sarah.
D — Grace Through God's Promise
Comments: So Hagar represents the “natural” vessel for birth whereby Sarah and Abraham thought the heir could be accomplished. Paul compares Agar (Hagar in Hebrew) to the earthly Jerusalem that is still in bondage to sin under the law devoid of grace. The Jerusalem from above is truly of God's making, and all Jews and Gentiles alike who are part of the blessing of that city of God must come into it by faith in God's promise.
E — Children of Promise
Comments: Paul is speaking to both Jewish and Gentile Christians when he says, “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.” Gentiles are not of Abraham's seed in the flesh, but they are children in the spirit through faith. There should be no surprise when the true heirs of God's kingdom are persecuted by those who believe they are heirs because of their works of religious law.
F — Stand Fast in Liberty
Comments: We must hold fast to the knowledge that our natural birth cannot lead to eternal life no matter how many aspects of the law we might try to fulfill. The spiritual birth promised by the Lord is the only way to become sons and heirs to the kingdom of God. Once we have been made free from the bondage of sin through that new birth, we must continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflections in Prayer
Thank you Lord for the allegory of Sarah and Hagar, with their sons Isaac and Ishmael as a reminder to me of your promise of freedom through faith. Keep me from wandering back to becoming a son of slavery. How many times Lord have I used my own reasoning to try to follow the path I thought would be within your will, only to be off course. Lord, help me to read and study your word more diligently so that I will be more aware of kingdom conduct. Then Lord, continue to supply your grace that I might stand in the liberty of being free-born as an heir to your Kingdom. All praise to the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen.
Published 18 September 2006; revisions 31 January 2017