Galatians 4:21-31
Paul’s doctrinal argument
that began in 3:6 has ended in 4:7.
He has begun an appeal to
the Galatians to apply this teaching to their lives.
Beginning in 4:21 Paul is
going to use an OT story as an allegory to appeal to the Galatians logic.
4:21 Paul appeals to the Law
itself to speak and verify what Paul is saying.
Paul and the Law both say that the Law is bondage.
Wuest: “Tell me, ye that are bent upon being under
law, are ye not hearing the law.”
4:22 Paul again goes with
Abraham.
Abraham himself had two sons.
So the power was not in Abraham’s genetics, flesh or law.
The power was not attainable except by the promise, the spirit, or faith.
“For” connects verses 21 and 22 and gives the idea, “Your desire to be under the law is not in
harmony with scripture.”
4:23 Differences in the two sons
(who both had the same father)
1) Mothers – one slave, one
free
2) Method of conception –
one natural, one supernatural.
“son
by the free woman was born as the result of a promise”
or, “through
the
promise”
“dia ths epaggelias”
a) this teaches that the promise of God called Isaac’s life
into being.
b) In
verse 4:29 this phrase becomes “by the power of the Spirit.”
4:24 “taken figuratively” means
these historical events can be used to teach a truth.
4:25 The word “corresponds” is
the Greek word “sustoicei” and means “to file together”
or “to be in the same line or row.”
“sustoichei” refers to
things that are in the same column such as letters in the
alphabet or soldiers at attention.
This means that Paul sees in this story an allegory that has parts that can be
taken out and lined up for comparison.
Hagar
Sarah
Ishmael
Isaac
Old
Covenant
New Covenant
Earthly
Judaism
Christianity
Hagar, the slave, represents the old covenant from Sinai and Ishmael represents
Judaism centered in
Sarah, free woman, represents the new covenant from
Ishmael and Isaac are alike since they both have the same father.
So, Judaism and Christianity arte alike since they
both originate from Abraham.
But, Ishmael and Isaac are drastically different:
1- Born of different woman. . . . . . . . . .
Law or
Faith
2- Born by different means. . . . . . . . . . .
Flesh or
Spirit
3- Source of origin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. Works or
Promise
The question for the Galatians is who is your mother and how where you
conceived?
The Judiazers recognize that the Galatians believers
have a connection to Abraham just as they do.
What they fail to realize is that:
1- Believers are born of the
Spirit and live by faith as a result of a promise.
2- Legalist are
flesh in bondage to a law because their hope is in their works.
4:27 From
Isaiah 54:1
This verse comes after Isaiah 53 which describes the career of the Messiah
The number of supernatural born will outnumber the natural born.
4:28 Now we are like Isaac.
1- We came
into being because of God’s promise (word)
2- We have
a supernatural birth
3- Our
entire existence is the result of a promise, the spirit, and faith
a. Spiritual
conception
b. New
birth
c. Spiritual
growth
d. Production
e. Rewards
(glorification)
4:29 The position of a believer
who is spirit born and faith living is persecution by the natural man who lives
by works (or, is a spiritual slave.)
Jesus said:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.”
Mt. 5:10
“Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them
you will kill and
crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and
pursue from town to
town.”
Mt. 23:34
The apostles said:
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him,
but
also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same
struggle
you
law I had, and now
hear that I still have.”
Philippians
1:29-30
“We sent Timothy. .
.to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one
would be unsettled
by these trials. You know quite well that we
were
destined for them.
In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling
you
that we would be
persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well
know.”
1
Thessalonians 3:2,3
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life In Christ Jesus will be
persecuted,
while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse,
deceiving and being
deceived.”
2 Timothy 3:12,13
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the
painful trial you are suffering, as
though
something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that
you
participate
in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed
when his glory is
revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12,13
See Genesis 21 Isaac was
laughed at and mocked by Ishmael
Isaac was about 2 years old and was being weaned.
Ishmael was 17.
Note: The laughing and mocking came not from the Canaanites but from a half brother.
One with the same father, but existing from a slave woman.
History:
Jews, not the Pagans, killed the prophets in the OT
Pharisees/Priest, not the Romans, crucified Christ
Medieval church, not the pagans, killed the reformers
Woman on the beast, not the beast, drunk with the blood of the saints
4:30 There is no compatibility of
fleshly religion and spiritual religion
Genesis 21:10 “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman’s
son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”
The Jewish teachers would
have viewed this verse and this story as God’s rejection of
the Gentiles. Paul turns it to be God’s rejection of legalism
(including the Jews) and giving the inheritance only the believers
(including the Gentiles.)
This allegory must have
infuriated the Judiazers.
Point: Get rid of the
legalist in
4:31 There is a switch to the
first person “we” from the second person “you” or “they” because
this teaching includes all who embrace the truth.