Galatians 4:25-27

TEXT 4:25-27

(25) Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children. (26) But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother. (27) For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: For more are the children of the desolate than of her that hath the husband.

PARAPHRASE 4:25-27

25 Hagar, the bond-maid, is a fit type of the covenant from Sinai, (for Hagar is one of the names of Mount Sinai in Arabia, from whence that covenant was given); and she, with her son, representeth the present Jerusalem or Jewish church, which was formed on that covenant, and is in bondage to the law, with the Jews her children.
26 But the catholic church, consisting of believers of all nations, which is formed on the covenant published from Mount Zion, and which I call the Jerusalem above, because its most perfect state will be in heaven, is represented by the free-woman Sarah, who is the mother of us all who believe.
27 My interpretation of the things respecting Abraham's wives and sons is not new; it is alluded to by Isaiah: For (Chp. Liv. 1) it is written, Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate, than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.

COMMENT 4:25

Now this Hagar is Mt. Sinai

(some manuscripts read For Sinai is a Mountain in Arabia.)

1.

This is a passage with many varied readings in the manuscripts and this is discussed at some length by MacKnight in his epistle on p. 300.

2.

A question is, Is he talking about a woman or a mountain?

a.

The problem centers in the fact that there is such a mountain.

b.

Mathew Henry says, Sinai was called Agar or Hagar by the Arabians.

c.

MacKnight quotes Gratius as saying that there was a city in the mountain range named Hagar. (p. 83)

1)

Its inhabitants were called Hagarenes.

2)

The word Hagar signifies rock, and Sinai is sometimes called Rock. See Exodus 33:22

d.

A study of context clarifies that point.

3.

A question could be, Is he talking about the Hagarenes or is he discussing Abraham's handmaid?

a.

He surely is talking about Hagar.

b.

Hagar the bondmaid is a fit type of the covenant from Sinai, for Hagar is one of the names of Mt. Sinai, in Arabia, from whence that covenant was given, and she, with her son, represented the present Jerusalem or Jewish church which was formed on that covenant, and is in bondage to the law, with the Jews as her children.

COMMENT 4:26

But Jerusalem that is above

1.

This Jerusalem is the church.

2.

These are the children of promise.

3.

Sarah is the mother of all believers, on account of her bringing forth Isaac supernaturally by virtue of the promise.

is free

1.

The law can be generally spoken of as bondage.

a.

Peter said, Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? Acts 15:10

b.

Jesus accused those under the law of making more serious demands. Yea, they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger.

Matthew 23:4

2.

Freedom is a characteristic of those in Christ.

our mother

1.

Hagar is one motherSarah is the other, and she brings forth children unto freedom.

2.

Sarah answers to the Jerusalem above.

3.

This Jerusalem above is a free woman, who is the mother of us all.

COMMENT 4:27

For it is written

1.

This proceeds to quote Isaiah 54:1.

2.

Paul is saying My interpretation of the things respecting Abraham's wives and sons is not in error for it is alluded to by Isaiah.

Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not

1.

Sarah was the barren one, but she had occasion to rejoice.

2.

Isaiah may have alluded to Genesis 17:15-16 where God said concerning her, She shall be a mother of nations and by changing her name from Sarai into Sarah, confirmed the promise as he did to Abraham.

a.

Abramexalted father was changed to AbrahamFather of a multitude.

b.

SaraiMy princess was changed to Sarah Princess.

3.

The gospel covenant with Abraham was a long time barren like Sarah.

Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not

1.

The cry here must refer to a cry of joy, rather than sorrow.

2.

Sarah had no travail in childbirth, but the promise was given and finally was carried out.

3.

The promise to Abraham was not born for centuriesbut Isaiah is stating the coming birth of Gentiles.

For more are the children of the desolate

1.

Hagar no doubt calls Sarah the deserted wife, because when Abraham found her barren he deserted her, with her consent, to bring forth a child with Hagar.

2.

A large family is prophesied by Isaiah 800 years before Christ.

than of her that hath the husband

1.

Hagar seemed to have the husband, since Sarah was barren.

2.

Isaiah prophesied that the Christians would outnumber those born under the law as typified by Hagar.

STUDY QUESTIONS 4:25-27

540.

What does he say Sinai is?

541.

How is Sinai located in Arabia, yet likened unto Jerusalem in Syria?

542.

Is he talking about a woman, a mountain, or both?

543.

Could Agar and Hagar be the same?

544.

What is the point that we must not miss in this discussion?

545.

Has he used two Jerusalems to make his point?

546.

Is Jerusalem our mother, or Sarah?

547.

What woman was free?

548.

Do we speak of cities as feminine?

549.

What mother should the Galatians claim?

550.

Does Paul have any scripture for his allegory?

551.

What did Isaiah say?

552.

Was Sarah's name changed?

553.

Is the cry one of desolation or joy?

554.

Was Sarah the wife described as desolate?

555.

Which wife would have the most children or descendants?

556.

Is this the reason for the cry of the one not in travail?