Galatians 4:21-31: The Story of Two Covenants

In this passage, Paul uses a powerful allegory from the Old Testament to illustrate a crucial point about faith versus law. He’s not just telling a story from the past; he’s painting a picture of two contrasting paths for us today.

What’s the Story?

Paul revisits the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, couldn’t have children, so she suggested that Abraham have a child with Hagar, her servant. This resulted in Ishmael. Later, miraculously, Sarah gave birth to Isaac.

What’s the Deeper Meaning?

Paul draws a parallel between these two sons and two covenants (agreements) with God:

Hagar and Ishmael represent the old covenant based on the law. This covenant was about following rules and regulations to earn God’s favour.
Sarah and Isaac represent the new covenant based on faith in Jesus. This covenant is about receiving God’s grace as a free gift.

What Does This Mean for Us?

Paul’s message is clear: trying to earn salvation by following the law is like trying to be a child of Hagar. It’s a path of slavery and struggle. Instead, we are called to be children of Sarah, relying on God’s promise and grace through faith in Jesus.

Think About This

Have you ever felt like you need to “do more” to earn God’s love or approval?
How does understanding the new covenant free you from that pressure?
In what ways can you live as a child of promise, embracing the freedom and grace that Jesus offers?

Questions for Deeper Reflection

Why do you think Paul uses an allegory here instead of just stating his point directly?
How does the story of Hagar and Sarah illustrate the difference between law and grace?
What does it mean to be a “child of promise”?
How does this passage challenge any misconceptions you might have had about earning salvation?
How can you apply this understanding to your daily life as a Christian?

Challenge

This week, take time to meditate on the incredible gift of grace you have received through Jesus. Let go of any lingering attempts to earn God’s favour and embrace the freedom of being a child of promise.

Galatians 4 - 1 Now I mean that the heir, as long as he is a minor, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. 2 But he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 So also we,…

Abba - The word "Abba" is an affectionate term in Hebrew that children might compare to saying "Daddy" in English. It's a warm and personal way to address one's father, expressing a close and loving relationship. In a religious context, you might mention that it's a term used…

Eleutheria - The word "Eleutheria" (ἐλευθερία in Greek) holds profound theological and spiritual significance, encapsulating various dimensions of freedom. Freedom from Sin and Bondage Spiritual Liberation: Eleutheria signifies the liberation from the bondage of sin and the enslavement to sinful desires. This freedom is attained through faith in…

gray trunk green leaf tree beside body of water

Galatians 4:1-7: Growing Up in God’s Family - In this passage, the Apostle Paul uses a relatable analogy to explain our spiritual journey as Christians. Let's break it down: Imagine a young heir to a vast fortune. Even though he's destined to inherit everything, as long as he's a child, he's no different from…

Galatians 4:8-12: Don’t Turn Back to What You’ve Outgrown - In this passage, Paul expresses his frustration and concern for the Galatian Christians. They had experienced the freedom of knowing God but were tempted to return to their old ways of living. This might seem confusing, but it's a struggle many people face, even today. What…

Galatians 4:13-20: A Message of Love and Concern - In this passage, Paul gets personal with the Galatians. He reminds them of their previous close relationship and expresses his deep concern for their spiritual well-being. What Happened? Paul first visited the Galatians because of an illness (possibly a physical ailment or persecution). Despite this, the…

Galatians 4:21-31: A Tale of Two Promises - Paul, the writer of Galatians, uses a powerful analogy in this passage to illustrate the difference between living under the law (Old Covenant) and living by faith (New Covenant). He does this by telling the story of Abraham's two sons: Ishmael and Isaac. What Happened? Abraham…

Galatians 4:8-12: Breaking Free from Empty Rituals - In this passage, Paul addresses the Galatians' struggle with returning to old religious practices, particularly those related to observing special days, months, seasons, and years. He challenges them to understand the true nature of their faith in Christ. What was happening? Some Jewish Christians were pressuring…

Galatians 4:13-20: Unconditional Love vs. Legalism - In this passage, Paul gets personal. He's not just talking about abstract theological concepts; he's sharing his heart with the Galatian church, reminding them of their shared history and expressing his deep concern for their spiritual well-being. What's the context? Paul had initially preached the gospel…

Galatians 5:1-12: Freedom’s True Purpose - This part of Paul's letter gets straight to the heart of what it means to live as Christians who are truly free in Christ. What's Happening? Paul is fired up! He's telling the Galatian Christians, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand…