Tale of Two Sons

Galatian Liberty • Galatians 4:21-31 • July 10, 2022 • English Service 10:00 AM

 

Sermon Introduction

Paul used an allegory to explain his point. He took a swipe at those who wanted to be under the law. The allegory was about Abraham’s two sons of two separate mothers. One mother lived free, but the other mother lived otherwise. Paul explained that those who pursue the law are the enslaved, and those who believe in the gospel, without distortions, are the ones who are free.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

 
 
 

Galatians 4:21-31 ESV

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written,

“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
    break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
    than those of the one who has a husband.”

28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

Notes

Paul used an allegory to explain his point. He took a swipe at those who wanted to be under the law. The allegory was about Abraham’s two sons of two separate mothers. One mother lived free, but the other mother lived otherwise. Paul explained that those who pursue the law are the enslaved, and those who believe in the gospel, without distortions, are the ones who are free.

  1. Two sons
    Paul referenced Ishmael and Isaac, the two notable sons of Abraham. One was born according to human effort, while the other was born through promise. One son was born to a slave mother while the other to a free woman (4:21-23).
    21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.

  2. Two women
    Paul explained allegorically that the mothers of the two sons were the two covenants. Hagar represented Mt. Sinai, and Sarah represented Jerusalem. Mt. Sinai represented slavery while Jerusalem represented freedom (4:24-27).
    24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written,
    “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.”

  3. Children of the free
    Paul called them brothers who were children of promise. He referred to those under the law as enslaved. Furthermore, the enslaved mother and child were cast out without inheritance (4:28-31).
    28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

Application

  1. Understand the illustrations
    Mt. Sinai, the enslaved woman, and her son represented the Mosaic Law. But Jerusalem, the free woman, and her son represented faith in Christ. Let us remember that righteousness cannot be earned with good works.

  2. Identify with freedom
    Genuine believers should identify with the freedom in Christ. Righteousness is through faith in the gospel. Justification is through faith in Christ alone. Let us proclaim with boldness and confidence.

  3. Live as free
    The children of the enslaved have no inheritance in Christ, much like those under the law. But those under the free woman, those who are justified by faith, are inheritors. Thus, let us live as free men and women under Christ.

Reflection & Discussion

  1. Explain the allegory. Discuss the parallelisms.

  2. Allegorically speaking, how may one become a child of the free woman?

  3. . How may we live our freedom in Christ?