Galatians 4:21 - 4:31

An Allegory of Two Covenants

21 Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant-woman and one by the free woman. 23 But the son by the servant-woman had been born according to the flesh, while the son by the free woman through the promise. 24 This is spoken with allegory, for these women are two covenants: one from Mount Sinai bearing children into slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. 27 For it is written,

“Rejoice, barren woman who does not give birth;

Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor;

For more numerous are the children of the desolate one

Than of the one who has a husband.”

28 And you brothers, in accordance with Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh was persecuting him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. 30 But what does the Scripture say?

“Cast out the servant‑woman and her son,

For the son of the servant‑woman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.”

31 So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant-woman, but of the free woman.

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