Key Scripture: So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman. ~ Galatians 4:31
Galatians 4:19-31
19 My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you— 20 but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
21 Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman. 23 However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise. 24 These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar. 25 For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written,
“Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear.
Break out and shout, you who don’t travail.
For the desolate women have more children than her who has a husband.”✡
28 Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 However, what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant and her son, for the son of the servant will not inherit with the son of the free woman”✡ 31 So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman.
Study Questions:
- What does Paul mean by “Christ is formed in you” in verse 19? 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 12:2
- What do verses 19-20 show about Paul and his relationship with the Galatians? 2 Corinthians 2:4; 11:28; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 What can we learn from this?
- Take a moment and review Genesis 15:1-6; 16:1-2; 18:9-15; and 21:1-8. This is the Biblical account that Paul is referring to in verses 21-31.
- What is the covenant from Mount Sinai referred to in verse 24? Deuteronomy 4:11-14; 11:26-28 How does it bear children to bondage? Galatians 3:10; Hebrews 10:1-4
- What are the two Jerusalems referring to in connection to Mount Sinai? Hebrews 12:18-24
- Compare Sarai’s actions in the process by which Abraham became the father of the two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. In Genesis 16:3 vs. Genesis 21:1-2 – which action was based on faith and which action was based on works? Hebrews 11:11-12; Deuteronomy 8:17-18
- Verse 27 is referring to Isaiah 54:1. Who might the barren woman be? (Note: The translation here uses “women” plural. Other translations use wording that refers to a singular woman.) Genesis 15:4-5; 21:6
- Compare Isaac and Ishmael’s relationship to the relationship between Jesus and the Jews. Genesis 21:8-9; Matthew 27:29-31; Luke 22:63; John 1:11
- What did Paul imply to the believers in Galatians by his quote of Genesis 21:10 in verse 30? 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
- Compare Paul’s statement that we are not children of a servant with Jesus’ words in John 8:31-36.
Memory Verse: If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. ~ John 8:36
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✡ 4:27 Isaiah 54:1
✡ 4:30 Genesis 21:10