Gal. 4:21-31, Allegorical Illustration

This passage contains an “allegory.”  An allegory is a story put together with several points of comparison.  Allegory is not a very common form of speech in the NT and one must be careful in “allegorizing” stories from the OT (i.e. transferring OT stories into NT truth).  Paul’s use of this story simply follows form the fact that Abraham is “the man of faith” (3:7,9).  Note that this allegory does not teach a truth; it illustrates a truth.  The principle is already established.  The story helps us visualize a truth already revealed.

The fact that Abraham failed to trust God’s promise when he produced a child through Hagar is not justified by this allegory.  In fact, Abraham’s sinful lack of trust, his attempt to produce a child in his way instead of waiting for God, and the fact that Ishmael’s descendents have been a thorn in the side of the Israelites, is all part of the story.  When we allow ourselves to be enslaved by sin it is the result of unfaithfulness to God and results in “persecution” (4:29).

Further, the allegory does not make any judgment on the treatment of slaves by Abraham.  The allegory builds on what happened, right or wrong. 

The story of Abraham, Hagar and Sarah is found in Gen. 16:1-16 and 21:1-20.  It would really be helpful to read it.  Let us use a table to identify the key components and then we will go into more detail in our next post.

	THE BONDWOMAN	THE FREEWOMAN
2 SONS	Ishmael	Isaac
2 MOTHERS	Hagar	Sarah
2 BIRTHS	Ordinary	According to Promise
2 COVENANTS	Mosaic (Old)	New Covenant
2 CITIES	Earthly Jerusalem	Heavenly Jerusalem
2 RESULTS	Slaves	Sons

Consider the matter of slavery.  Jesus said, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin (John 8:34).  This slavery is real.  Samson was enslaved to sexual sin.  Jacob was a slave to his scheming.  King Saul was enslaved to his jealousy.  Peter was bound by self-confidence.  Saul of Tarsus, before he became Paul, and before he met Christ on Damascus Road, was enslaved to the Law of Moses and the traditions of the Jews.  But by the grace of God, he became the apostle of grace.  He cast out the bondwoman (v30) and embraced freedom in Christ.  Having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life (Rom. 6:22).  Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  “Whoever” is a big word because all have sinned.  But grace is greater than our sin!