Galatians 4.31

 Galatians 4.31

What Paul wrote in this passage was possibly the most stinging rebuke he could have possibly directed toward the Judaizers. It was also a statement of prophecy that at the moment may have seemed impossible. Paul uses an allegory, the only time this word is used in the New Testament, to make several comparisons between the Law and faith in Christ. The Judaizers would, no doubt, have claimed to be sons of Abraham. Paul points out that Abraham had sons by two women, actually several, but these two have special standing. In ancient times it was not uncommon for a slave girl to have a child by the master of the house, which would be considered the son of her mistress. This child would have a different standing than simply a child of a slave. The child would be the quasi-legal child of the master’s wife while being biologically the son of a slave. That was the condition for Ishmael. 

While no list can be fully descriptive in this case, a list of contrasts will be helpful. Abraham has two sons:

• One was by a slave girl. One was by a free woman.

• One was the result of non-spectacular natural circumstances. One was the result of supernatural intervention.

• One is a symbol of the law, Mt. Sinai, and earthly Jerusalem. One is the symbol of the Faith, Mt. Zion, and Heavenly Jerusalem.

• One meant slavery. One meant freedom. 

• One woman was naturally fertile and spiritually barren. One was naturally barren and spiritually fertile.

• One was not a blessing and would provide limited offspring. One was a blessing to all people with innumerable offspring. 

• One son was a persecutor. One son was persecuted.

• One was ultimately expelled. One received the inheritance. 

The Galatians were confronted with a dramatic choice. They can choose Ishmael, who was a dark and disgraced figure, as their ancestor spiritually, and their mother a slave. Or they can choose Abraham, who served as a type for God, and as their mother, a free woman, the church. We do not need to offer more than a passing glance at the church as our mother and the bride of Christ. As the Judizers read this passage, they were no doubt furious because it was insulting, true, and irrefutable. We must never imagine that any rule-keeping can ever compare with the delight of being a child of grace. 

“Thank You Lord for my spiritual heritage. AMEN”