Galatians 4:21-31 - Sarah and Hagar

Now we arrive at the end of chapter four and Paul is concluding his theological argument against the false teaching of his opponents--an argument which he began at the beginning of chapter three. He ends his argument with an allegory from the book of Genesis, something which is not Paul's usual method. In fact, this passage is unique in all of the Pauline writings. He takes the story of Abraham and Sarah and Hagar and Ismael and Isaac and tells us it is an allegory.

Understand that Paul is not advocating for a strict allegorical interpretation of the Old Testament. Paul has already demonstrated that he approaches that text primarily looking for what could be called in Latin the sensus literalis--looking for the plain meaning. In following Paul's example we try to interpret the Bible the way any and all literature should be interpreted--primarily using what is called the grammatical/historical method. We consider things like genre, historical setting, use of language in a given time, place, and culture. We search for the author and the audience, place them in their historical setting, and look for the intended meaning. Then we take it and apply it to ourselves. What Paul does here does not negate or undermine that at all. 

But what he does demonstrates that there is more than one layer to inspired Scripture. There is a big picture to the Bible. Although it was written by many different authors over many years there is a cohesive unity to it all. We understand this to be so because we believe it was all superintended by the same Holy Spirit. You see, the Scripture is very human, but it is also divine. And Paul everywhere affirms and assumes this dynamic.

So we're not surprised to see him looking at this story as a whole and finding in it a sort of typology. In the Bible study linked below I have much more to say about both this and what Paul is trying to teach us through this allegorization he makes of the Genesis passage. There is wonderful theology here, including teaching on the nature of the Church, its relation to Jerusalem, and a beautiful comparison of Isaac to Jesus to us. I hope you will take a few moments and listen. Just click the link below. God bless.



Click here: Galatians 4:21-31 - Sarah and Hagar



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