Hagar also represents old Jerusalem, enslaved under Rome and the Mosaic Law, which Paul did not mention in Galatians 4:26. Sarah represents the heavenly city of Jerusalem, the final destiny of departed believers, which is free. She is also the mother of all true believers. [source][source][source]
The main features in this analogy are as follows. [source][source][source]
Hagar is the bond womenSarah is the free womanIshmael was born naturallyIsaac was born supernaturallyThe old covenantThe new covenantThe earthly JerusalemThe heavenly JerusalemJudaismChristianity[source]
Context Summary
Galatians 4:21-31 - "children Of Promise"
In this allegory of Sarah and Hagar, it is important to notice that Paul is not dealing with the principle of evil within our hearts, but with the attempt to mingle two dispensations or methods of religious experience-the Law and the Gospel.
He says that the poor slave girl, Hagar, whom Abraham bought as a personal attendant for his wife, stands for Mount Sinai, the mountain of the Law, in the district of Arabia, from which she may have originally come. Hagar also stands for the Judaizers, whose headquarters were at Jerusalem, while their emissaries everywhere dogged the Apostle's movements, insisting that his converts must come under the old Levitical ceremonialism. Paul says that the Galatians must choose between their slavish observance of outward ritual and a simple faith in the finished work of Jesus; and exhorts them to cast out Hagar and Ishmael, which savor of the flesh, and to give themselves to the service of the Spirit, which stands for freedom, peace, and joy in God. Let us also guard against a religious scrupulosity and subservience to the outward, and cultivate a quick sensitiveness to the Holy Spirit. [source]
Chapter Summary: Galatians 4
1We were under the law till Christ came, as the heir is under the guardian till he be of age 5But Christ freed us from the law; 7therefore we are servants no longer to it 14Paul remembers the Galatians' good will to him, and his to them; 22and shows that we are the sons of Abraham by the freewoman
Greek Commentary for Galatians 4:26
The Jerusalem that is above [η ανω Ιερουσαλημ] Paul uses the rabbinical idea that the heavenly Jerusalem corresponds to the one here to illustrate his point without endorsing their ideas. See also Revelation 21:2. He uses the city of Jerusalem to represent the whole Jewish race (Vincent). [source]
Jerusalem which is above [ἡ ἄνω Ἱερουσαλὴμ] Paul uses the Hebrew form Ἱερουσαλὴμ in preference to the Greek Ἱεροσόλυμα , which occurs Galatians 1:17,Galatians 1:18; Galatians 2:1. The phrase Jerusalem which is above was familiar to the rabbinical teachers, who conceived the heavenly Jerusalem as the archetype of the earthly. On the establishment of Messiah's kingdom, the heavenly archetype would be let down to earth, and would be the capital of the messianic theocracy. Comp. Hebrews 11:10; Hebrews 12:22; Hebrews 13:14; Revelation 3:12,Revelation 21:2. Paul here means the messianic kingdom of Christ, partially realized in the Christian church, but to be fully realized only at the second coming of the Lord. For ἄνω , comp. Philemon 3:14; Colossians 3:1,Colossians 3:2. [source]
Free [ἐλευθέρα] Independent of the Mosaic law; in contrast with the earthly Jerusalem, which, like Hagar, is in bondage. The Jerusalem above therefore answers to Sarah. [source]
Which is [ἥτις ἐστὶν] The double relative refers to the Jerusalem which is above, not to free. That Jerusalem, as that which is our mother, is free. [source]
The mother of us all [] Render, our mother. Πάντων alldoes not belong in the text. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Galatians 4:26
Romans 7:4That we should be joined to another [εις το γενεσται ετερωι] Purpose clause with εις το eis to and the infinitive. First mention of the saints as wedded to Christ as their Husband occurs in 1 Corinthians 6:13; Galatians 4:26. See further Ephesians 5:22-33. That we might bring forth fruit unto God (ινα καρποπορησωμεν τωι τεωι hina karpophorēsōmen tōi theōi). He changes the metaphor to that of the tree used in Romans 6:22. [source]
Galatians 4:25Jerusalem which now is [] As contrasted with “the Jerusalem above,” Galatians 4:26. The city is taken to represent the whole Jewish race. [source]
Hebrews 11:10For he looked for a city which hath foundations [ἐξεδέχετο γὰρ τὴν τοὺς θεμελίους ἔξουσαν πόλιν] The sense is impaired in A.V. by the omission of the articles, the city, the foundations. Passing over the immediate subject of God's promise to Abraham - his inheritance of the land in which he sojourns - the writer fastens the patriarch's faith upon the heavenly fulfillment of the promise - the perfected community of God, which, he assumes, was contained in the original promise. By the city he means the heavenly Jerusalem, and his statement is that Abraham's faith looked forward to that. The idea of the new or heavenly Jerusalem was familiar to the Jews. See Hebrews 12:22,Hebrews 13:14; Galatians 4:26; Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21:2. The Rabbins regarded it as an actual city. For the foundations comp. Revelation 21:14. In ascribing to the patriarchs an assured faith in heaven as the end and reward of their wanderings, the writer oversteps the limits of history; but evidently imports into the patriarchal faith the contents of a later and more developed faith - that of himself and his readers. [source]
1 Peter 2:16As free [ως ελευτεροι] Note nominative again connected with υποταγητε hupotagēte in 1 Peter 2:13, not with πιμοιν phimoin in 1 Peter 2:14 (a parenthesis in fact). For this ethical sense of ελευτερος eleutheros see Galatians 4:26. [source]
Revelation 21:2The holy city, new Jerusalem [την πολιν την αγιαν Ιερουσαλημ καινην] “The New Earth must have a new metropolis, not another Babylon, but another and greater Jerusalem” (Swete), and not the old Jerusalem which was destroyed a.d. 70. It was called the Holy City in a conventional way (Matthew 4:5; Matthew 27:53), but now in reality because it is new and fresh (καινην kainēn), this heavenly Jerusalem of hope (Hebrews 12:22), this Jerusalem above (Galatians 4:26.) where our real citizenship is (Philemon 3:20). [source]
Revelation 3:12A pillar [στυλον] Old word for column, in N.T. only here, Revelation 10:1; Galatians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:15. Metaphorical and personal use with a double significance of being firmly fixed and giving stability to the building. Philadelphia was a city of earthquakes. “Temple” Strong double negative ου μη ou mē with the second aorist active subjunctive of ερχομαι erchomai The subject is ο νικων ho nikōn (the one overcoming). “Fixity of character is at last achieved” (Charles). He, like the στυλος stulos (pillar), remains in place.Upon him Upon ο νικων ho nikōn (the victor), not upon the pillar He receives this triple name (of God, of the city of God, of Christ) on his forehead (Revelation 14:1; Revelation 7:3; Revelation 17:5; Revelation 22:4) just as the high-priest wore the name of Jehovah upon his forehead (Exodus 28:36,Exodus 28:38), the new name (Revelation 2:17), without any magical or talismanic power, but as proof of ownership by God, as a citizen of the New Jerusalem, with the new symbol of the glorious personality of Christ (Revelation 19:12), in contrast with the mark of the beast on others (Revelation 13:17; Revelation 14:17). For citizenship in God‘s city see Galatians 4:26; Philemon 3:20; Hebrews 11:10; Hebrews 12:22; Hebrews 13:14.The new Jerusalem (της καινης Ιερουσαλημ tēs kainēs Ierousalēm). Not νεας neas (young), but καινης kainēs (fresh). See also Revelation 21:2,Revelation 21:10 and already Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22. Charles distinguishes between the Jerusalem before the final judgment and this new Jerusalem after that event. Perhaps so! In the Apocalypse always this form Ιερουσαλημ Ierousalēm (Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21:2,Revelation 21:10), but in John‘s Gospel ιεροσολυμα Hierosoluma (Revelation 1:19, etc.).Which cometh down Nominative case in apposition with the preceding genitive πολεως poleōs as in Revelation 1:5; Revelation 2:20, etc.Mine own new name (το ονομα μου το καινον to onoma mou to kainon). For which see Revelation 2:17; Revelation 19:12,Revelation 19:16. Christ himself will receive a new name along with all else in the future world (Gressmann). [source]
Greek Commentary for Galatians 4:26
Paul uses the rabbinical idea that the heavenly Jerusalem corresponds to the one here to illustrate his point without endorsing their ideas. See also Revelation 21:2. He uses the city of Jerusalem to represent the whole Jewish race (Vincent). [source]
Paul uses the Hebrew form Ἱερουσαλὴμ in preference to the Greek Ἱεροσόλυμα , which occurs Galatians 1:17, Galatians 1:18; Galatians 2:1. The phrase Jerusalem which is above was familiar to the rabbinical teachers, who conceived the heavenly Jerusalem as the archetype of the earthly. On the establishment of Messiah's kingdom, the heavenly archetype would be let down to earth, and would be the capital of the messianic theocracy. Comp. Hebrews 11:10; Hebrews 12:22; Hebrews 13:14; Revelation 3:12, Revelation 21:2. Paul here means the messianic kingdom of Christ, partially realized in the Christian church, but to be fully realized only at the second coming of the Lord. For ἄνω , comp. Philemon 3:14; Colossians 3:1, Colossians 3:2. [source]
Independent of the Mosaic law; in contrast with the earthly Jerusalem, which, like Hagar, is in bondage. The Jerusalem above therefore answers to Sarah. [source]
The double relative refers to the Jerusalem which is above, not to free. That Jerusalem, as that which is our mother, is free. [source]
Render, our mother. Πάντων alldoes not belong in the text. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Galatians 4:26
Purpose clause with εις το eis to and the infinitive. First mention of the saints as wedded to Christ as their Husband occurs in 1 Corinthians 6:13; Galatians 4:26. See further Ephesians 5:22-33. That we might bring forth fruit unto God (ινα καρποπορησωμεν τωι τεωι hina karpophorēsōmen tōi theōi). He changes the metaphor to that of the tree used in Romans 6:22. [source]
As contrasted with “the Jerusalem above,” Galatians 4:26. The city is taken to represent the whole Jewish race. [source]
Qualitative use, such as. Vanishing in papyri though surviving in Paul (1 Corinthians 3:17; Romans 1:25; Galatians 4:26; Philemon 4:3). [source]
See on Galatians 4:26. The spiritual mountain and city where God dwells and reigns. Comp. Dante Inf. i. 128:“Quivi e la sua cittade, e l'alto seggio.”Comp. Psalm 2:6; Psalm 48:2, Psalm 48:3; Psalm 50:2; Psalm 78:68; Psalm 110:2; Isaiah 18:7; Joel 2:32; Micah 4:1, Micah 4:2; Amos 1:2. [source]
The sense is impaired in A.V. by the omission of the articles, the city, the foundations. Passing over the immediate subject of God's promise to Abraham - his inheritance of the land in which he sojourns - the writer fastens the patriarch's faith upon the heavenly fulfillment of the promise - the perfected community of God, which, he assumes, was contained in the original promise. By the city he means the heavenly Jerusalem, and his statement is that Abraham's faith looked forward to that. The idea of the new or heavenly Jerusalem was familiar to the Jews. See Hebrews 12:22, Hebrews 13:14; Galatians 4:26; Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21:2. The Rabbins regarded it as an actual city. For the foundations comp. Revelation 21:14. In ascribing to the patriarchs an assured faith in heaven as the end and reward of their wanderings, the writer oversteps the limits of history; but evidently imports into the patriarchal faith the contents of a later and more developed faith - that of himself and his readers. [source]
Note nominative again connected with υποταγητε hupotagēte in 1 Peter 2:13, not with πιμοιν phimoin in 1 Peter 2:14 (a parenthesis in fact). For this ethical sense of ελευτερος eleutheros see Galatians 4:26. [source]
“The New Earth must have a new metropolis, not another Babylon, but another and greater Jerusalem” (Swete), and not the old Jerusalem which was destroyed a.d. 70. It was called the Holy City in a conventional way (Matthew 4:5; Matthew 27:53), but now in reality because it is new and fresh (καινην kainēn), this heavenly Jerusalem of hope (Hebrews 12:22), this Jerusalem above (Galatians 4:26.) where our real citizenship is (Philemon 3:20). [source]
Old word for column, in N.T. only here, Revelation 10:1; Galatians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:15. Metaphorical and personal use with a double significance of being firmly fixed and giving stability to the building. Philadelphia was a city of earthquakes. “Temple” Strong double negative ου μη ou mē with the second aorist active subjunctive of ερχομαι erchomai The subject is ο νικων ho nikōn (the one overcoming). “Fixity of character is at last achieved” (Charles). He, like the στυλος stulos (pillar), remains in place.Upon him Upon ο νικων ho nikōn (the victor), not upon the pillar He receives this triple name (of God, of the city of God, of Christ) on his forehead (Revelation 14:1; Revelation 7:3; Revelation 17:5; Revelation 22:4) just as the high-priest wore the name of Jehovah upon his forehead (Exodus 28:36, Exodus 28:38), the new name (Revelation 2:17), without any magical or talismanic power, but as proof of ownership by God, as a citizen of the New Jerusalem, with the new symbol of the glorious personality of Christ (Revelation 19:12), in contrast with the mark of the beast on others (Revelation 13:17; Revelation 14:17). For citizenship in God‘s city see Galatians 4:26; Philemon 3:20; Hebrews 11:10; Hebrews 12:22; Hebrews 13:14.The new Jerusalem (της καινης Ιερουσαλημ tēs kainēs Ierousalēm). Not νεας neas (young), but καινης kainēs (fresh). See also Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:10 and already Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22. Charles distinguishes between the Jerusalem before the final judgment and this new Jerusalem after that event. Perhaps so! In the Apocalypse always this form Ιερουσαλημ Ierousalēm (Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:10), but in John‘s Gospel ιεροσολυμα Hierosoluma (Revelation 1:19, etc.).Which cometh down Nominative case in apposition with the preceding genitive πολεως poleōs as in Revelation 1:5; Revelation 2:20, etc.Mine own new name (το ονομα μου το καινον to onoma mou to kainon). For which see Revelation 2:17; Revelation 19:12, Revelation 19:16. Christ himself will receive a new name along with all else in the future world (Gressmann). [source]
Not νεας neas (young), but καινης kainēs (fresh). See also Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:10 and already Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22. Charles distinguishes between the Jerusalem before the final judgment and this new Jerusalem after that event. Perhaps so! In the Apocalypse always this form Ιερουσαλημ Ierousalēm (Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:10), but in John‘s Gospel ιεροσολυμα Hierosoluma (Revelation 1:19, etc.). [source]
Upon ο νικων ho nikōn (the victor), not upon the pillar He receives this triple name (of God, of the city of God, of Christ) on his forehead (Revelation 14:1; Revelation 7:3; Revelation 17:5; Revelation 22:4) just as the high-priest wore the name of Jehovah upon his forehead (Exodus 28:36, Exodus 28:38), the new name (Revelation 2:17), without any magical or talismanic power, but as proof of ownership by God, as a citizen of the New Jerusalem, with the new symbol of the glorious personality of Christ (Revelation 19:12), in contrast with the mark of the beast on others (Revelation 13:17; Revelation 14:17). For citizenship in God‘s city see Galatians 4:26; Philemon 3:20; Hebrews 11:10; Hebrews 12:22; Hebrews 13:14.The new Jerusalem (της καινης Ιερουσαλημ tēs kainēs Ierousalēm). Not νεας neas (young), but καινης kainēs (fresh). See also Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:10 and already Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22. Charles distinguishes between the Jerusalem before the final judgment and this new Jerusalem after that event. Perhaps so! In the Apocalypse always this form Ιερουσαλημ Ierousalēm (Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:10), but in John‘s Gospel ιεροσολυμα Hierosoluma (Revelation 1:19, etc.).Which cometh down Nominative case in apposition with the preceding genitive πολεως poleōs as in Revelation 1:5; Revelation 2:20, etc.Mine own new name (το ονομα μου το καινον to onoma mou to kainon). For which see Revelation 2:17; Revelation 19:12, Revelation 19:16. Christ himself will receive a new name along with all else in the future world (Gressmann). [source]