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John Piper · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Piper - In verse 21 Paul simply says that those who are turning back to the law of Moses as a job description for how to earn the wages of blessing from God should listen to what the law says. Note this well, lest anything I or Paul have said sounds anti-Semitic. Paul only wants to teach things that are implied in the Jewish Bible. His problem with the Judaizers is not that they are Jewish, but that they aren't Jewish enough. Paul himself was a Jew and never surrendered his allegiance to the law. What does it teach about freedom? (Hagar and Slavery versus Sarah and Freedom) You who want to be under law ("under the control of," "to be subject to") - Who is you? It is the Judaizers and it is the Galatian believers who have been bewitched. Under is the preposition hupo which in this context conveys the sense of being under the power, dominion or mastery of the law. The way Paul phrases the question signifies that the Galatians had not yet submitted to placing themselves under the Law of Moses but they were entertaining that desire. The Law can only put them under bondage.
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Piper comments that " Abraham had learned his lesson: the only acceptable response to God's merciful promise is trust in that promise, not works of the flesh that try to bring down God's blessing with our efforts." (Sermon) Galatians 4:24 This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. KJV Galatians 4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. This is allegorically speaking Ezekiel 20:49; Hosea 11:10; Matthew 13:35; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 11:19 for these women 25; Luke 22:19,20; 1 Corinthians 10:4 are two covenants Galatians 3:15-21; Hebrews 7:22; 8:6-13; 9:15-24; 10:15-18; 12:24; 13:20 covenants . Galatians 5:1; Romans 8:15 Hagar Genesis 16:3,4,8,15,16; 21:9-13; 25:12 Galatians 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Galatians 4:21-5:1 - Don Anderson Galatians Study 9; More Notes on Galatians Study 9 Warren Wiersbe's sermon Born Free - Galatians 4 - one of the simplest and most profound expositions you will ever hear on Galatians 4! The allegorical interpretation of the story (Galatians 4:24-30) a. The two mothers representing two covenants (Galatians 4:24a) b. The description of the two covenants (Galatians 4:24b-28) 1. The one representing a covenant of bondage (Galatians 4:24b-25) 2. The other representing a covenant of freedom (Galatians 4:26-28) c. The expulsion of the slave woman and her son (Galatians 4:29-30) The conclusion from the story (Galatians 4:31) TWO MOTHERS REPRESENT TWO COVENANTS Don Anderson gives us the background on two covenants. - You’re going to have the Mosaic covenant and you’re going to have the Abrahamic covenant. You understand, the Mosaic covenant is different from the Abrahamic covenant in this sense—the Mosaic covenant is conditional. It is two people—Moses and the Lord together— and it’s conditional on obedience. The blessing of the Mosaic covenant is conditioned on obedience and fulfilling the 10 requirements for the Law. So there’s no blessing if you break it. The Abrahamic covenant is different. Abrahamic covenant is unconditional. It is God alone walking between the pieces saying “I promise to do this.” And there is no stipulation in that covenant. So he’s going to play the Abrahamic covenant against the Mosaic covenant. That’s going to be part of your study today. (Study 9 Teacher Notes) This is allegorically speaking - Note the phrase this is which refers to the two preceding passages Galatians 4:22-23. Paul inspired by the Spirit takes the literal story from Genesis and now uses it as a spiritual illustration. As explained below John MacArthur sees this as an illustration not an allegory (see his reasoning). He writes that "Paul here specifically states that his present illustration is an analogy."
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Piper adds "Our real life is not, like Ishmael's, simply owing to the work of man. Our real life is owing to the work of God in us fulfilling his promise to make for himself a people (Genesis 12:1–3) and to put his Spirit within them (Ezekiel 36:27+) and write his law on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:33+). (Hagar and Slavery Vs. Sarah and Freedom) Galatians 4:29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. KJV Galatians 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. he who was born according to the flesh Genesis 21:9 him who was born according to the Spirit John 3:5; 15:9; Romans 8:1,13 so it is now also Galatians 5:11; 6:12-14; Matthew 23:34-37; 1 Thessalonians 2:14,15; Hebrews 10:33,34 Galatians 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Galatians 4:21-5:1 - Don Anderson Galatians Study 9; More Notes on Galatians Study 9 Warren Wiersbe's sermon Born Free - Galatians 4 - one of the simplest and most profound expositions you will ever hear on Galatians 4! The allegorical interpretation of the story (Galatians 4:24-30) a. The two mothers representing two covenants (Galatians 4:24a) b. The description of the two covenants (Galatians 4:24b-28) 1. The one representing a covenant of bondage (Galatians 4:24b-25) 2. The other representing a covenant of freedom (Galatians 4:26-28) c. The expulsion of the slave woman and her son (Galatians 4:29-30) The conclusion from the story (Galatians 4:31) THE CHILD FLESH WARS AGAINST THE CHILD OF THE SPIRIT Mark it down beloved that "Legalists persecute those living in liberty." (Constable) But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh - Paul now goes back to the account in Genesis as he brings his argument to a conclusion. Persecuted him - Persecuted is in the imperfect tense indicating that Ishmael was repeatedly harassing Isaac, over and over, again and again. This refers to Ishmael's treatment of Isaac at the time Abraham celebrated Isaac's weaning with a banquet... The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. "Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking." (Genesis 21:8-9) Comment - The Greek translates Hebrew for mocking with the verb paizo (derived from pais = child) means act as a child and to mock and the present tense describes this as Ishmael's continual activity. And of course this story in Genesis is the pathogenesis (so to speak) of the current Arab-Israeli tension in the Middle East. Like mother, like son - recall that Moses had recorded that "when she (HAGAR) saw that she had conceived, I (SARAH) was despised in her sight." (Ge 16:5). Related Resource: Why do Jews and Arabs / Muslims hate each other?) Persecuted (1377)(dioko from dío = pursue, prosecute, persecute) means to follow or press hard after, literally to pursue as one does a fleeing enemy. It means to chase, harass, vex and pressure and was used for chasing down criminals. Vine mentions that the "rabbinic tradition that Ishmael, under pretense of play, shot an arrow at Isaac with intent to kill him." There is no Scriptural support for this assertion. Moreover, the history of the descendants of the brothers shows their inveterate antagonism. The continuous tense (imperfect tense) of the verb, “was persecuting,” lends support to the idea that the apostle has the Ishmaelites and the Israelites in mind." The phrase according to the flesh of course refers to by natural descent but also is a double entendre because it was also according to the flesh in that it was a fleshly sinful decision of Sarah and Abraham to have Abraham father a child from Hagar in a vain attempt to fulfill God's promise of a son. Henry
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Piper - Recall how in Gal 4:23+ the contrast was between one born according to the flesh and one born through promise. But notice here in verse 29 that the same contrast is between one born according to the flesh and one born according to the Spirit. "Born according to the Spirit" is interchangeable with "born through promise." This confirms that "children of promise" in Gal 4:28 refers to people whose inner life is the work of God's Spirit in fulfillment of his promise. The difference between Ishmael-types and Isaac-types is a supernatural work of the Spirit of God. (Sermon) Who was born according to the Spirit - Paul says that Sarah's conception of Isaac had supernatural intervention. It was miraculous because of her age and the deadness of her womb. It was not miraculous like the Spirit's conception of Jesus (Mt 1:18), for there no earthly father was involved. When Nicodemus came to Jesus asking about entrance into the Kingdom of God, Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ..."Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:3,5) Compare Paul's teaching in Galatians 3 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. (Gal 3:9) But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (Gal 3:22) So it is now also - Just as Isaac was in danger from the older Ishmael, so too the Galatian believers were in danger from the Judaizers. Paul now puts the Judaizers squarely in his aim and in effect says they are playing the part of modern day "Ishmaels" in persecuting the modern day "Isaacs," those who have been born again by grace through faith. Don Anderson - Who were the ones that persecuted Jesus the most? The LEGALISTS—the Scribes and the Pharisees—the ones keeping the Mosaic Law. He’s saying “just as it is now.” (Study 9 Teacher Notes)
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Piper - Paul concludes in verse 31 that we—that is, we who live by faith in the Son of God and don't rely on what we can achieve on our own—are not in the slave category but in the category of the free. (Hagar and Slavery Vs. Sarah and Freedom) Brethren (whether Jew or Gentile)(adelphos from a = denotes unity + delphus = a womb) Again Paul uses brethren to emphasize the truth that the Galatian believers are "from the same womb" so to speak . "Adelphós generally denotes a fellowship of life based on identity of origin, e.g., members of the same family." And in this case they are in "Sarah's" family so to speak, the family entered by grace through faith in the promise of salvation in Christ. As noted above Paul has repeatedly assured his Galatian readers that they are his spiritual brethren (Gal 1:11, Gal 3:15, Gal 4:12, 28, 31, Gal 5:11, 13, Gal 6:1). Jack Arnold - Every Christian is a spiritual Isaac and set free from the law. Those who are not believers are under the law and condemned by the law and are slaves to the law. Christians are spiritual children of Abraham through Sarah. We are inheritors of the covenants (Rom. 8:17 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ”). We are also set free in Christ to serve God (John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”).(The Incompatibility of law and Grace) We are not children of a bondwoman - Paul uses the first person plural "we" so includes himself with the Galatian brethren. They are one in Christ. And then he says "we" are not from the "lineage" of the bondwoman (paidiske), Hagar. See the table below for the many negative results of being in the lineage of Hagar. But of the free woman - We are of the "lineage" of Sarah (see table) who symbolizes the spiritual freedom believers have in Christ. Free (unbound, unshackled)(1658) see use of eleutheros (See also eleutheroo) - Note Paul's emphasis on freedom using this word 5 times in his argument in Gal 4:21-31 (5 of 23 NT uses - Gal 4:22, 23, 26, 30, 31). Don Anderson's Lessons from Galatians 4:21-5:1 LESSON #1: Be careful to consider the content and consequences before you sign-off in making a decision. LESSON #2: The safest thing we can do when God’s promise is left unfulfilled is to wait. LESSON #3: Abraham and Sarah tried to help God fulfill His promise to them and that created the problem. LESSON #4: God does not need our help in fulfilling His promises to us. LESSON #5: The law gives birth to bondage, the promise gives birth to freedom. LESSON #6: When we come to know Jesus Christ as Savior we become children of promise. LESSON #7: The flesh and the Spirit will always be in conflict. LESSON #8: Are you in bondage to anyone or anything at this time? LESSON #9: Have you been set free in Jesus Christ? LESSON #10: The yoke of the law leads to bondage. The yoke of the Lord is easy. LESSON #11: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. LESSON #12: “Keep on standing firm therefore and stop becoming entangled again in a yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1). Summary of the Contrasts HAGAR SARAH Slave Free Ishmael Son of bondwoman Born into slavery Isaac Son of free woman Born as a free man The way of the flesh Born because of work, effort The way of promise Born by promise of God The natural, fleshly way The miraculous way Way of religious self-effort Way of faith Works righteousness Imputed righteousness Way of legalism Way of grace Symbolic of only natural birth Trust in their own works Symbolic of spiritual birth Trust in work of Jesus Representative of the Covenant of the Law (Mosaic Covenant) Representative of the Covenant of Grace (Abraham > New Covenant) Present Jerusalem Represents Legalism Jerusalem Above Represents Life in the Spirit Leads to Slavery Eternal Death Leads to Freedom Eternal Life Coming from earthly Jerusalem Coming from heavenly Jerusalem Persecuting Persecuted Inherited Nothing Inherited Everything Relationship based on Law keeping Relationship based on Trusting God Jack Arnold tells the following story - God’s grace is sufficient to save us from all the past sins we ever did before we accepted Christ—laying, hate, pride, pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex, homosexuality, lesbianism, drunkenness drug abuse, materialism, self-centeredness, divorce or whatever. Any sin done before conversion to Christ can and will be forgiven by Christ. John Newton, a late Puritan preacher, was raised in a Christian home by a godly mother who wanted him to be a preacher. His father was a godless, rough and tough sailor who wanted his son to go to sea. Until he was six, John’s mother filled his mind with the Bible and prayed for him; then she suddenly died. At eleven, John went to sea with his father. When John was seventeen, he met and fell in love with 13-year-old Polly Catlett, but she was too young to marry. He went back to the sea, but as a sailor he lived a very immoral life. He was a slave-trader and would rape black women chained in the hold of the slave ships. He participated in every sordid kind of activity and kept a native mistress. John used and abused all races of women for his pleasure and his own words were, “I rejoiced . . . that I now might be as abandoned as I pleased, without restraint . . . I not only sinned with a high hand myself but made it my study to tempt and seduce others upon every occasion.” By age twenty-one, John had a foul mouth and a debauched life, being addicted to alcohol. He hated Christians and mocked anyone who claimed to be a follower of Christ. Then somehow a copy of Thomas a Kempis’ book The Imitation of Christ, fell into his hands and he read these words: “Life is short and of uncertain continuance. Today the man is vigorous, and tomorrow he is cut down, withered and gone.” John could not escape these words but still went on with his wild living. One night, while John was at the helm of the ship, a terrible storm hit and it appeared the ship would go down and all drown. John was scared and Bible verses his mother taught him and the remembrance of her prayers for him flashed through his mind. John did every human thing to save the ship and then cried out, “If this will not do, the Lord have mercy on us.” With death imminent, Newton acknowledged God and asked for mercy. After the storm, he began to read the new Testament and understood that Christ died for sinners, but was not sure Christ died for him because John felt himself the chief of sinners. Somewhere in his study of the New Testament, John Newton received Christ as his Savior and Lord, calling upon grace to save him. God not only forgives past sins but also present sins—sins that we do as Christians. As Christians, we may have done some dumb and horrible sins and the Devil says to us, “You can’t be forgiven. You have gone so deep into sin, you could never be forgiven by God. You have committed the unforgivable sin!” When this happens, law and the flesh condemns us and we feel like we must do something to make amends to get right with God, to somehow pay for our own sins, to do penance. These are true feelings but they are only feelings. The Bible says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1). This is the truth of God’s Word. Feelings have nothing to do with faith. Faith is taking God at His Word, no matter how we feel or think. God’s Word is truth and everyone else a liar. At twenty-three, John Newton was a saved man with a promising future. He returned to England and established a deep relationship with Polly, his future wife. He was alive and growing in Christ. Then John decided to go on another slave run to Africa. At this point, he was not yet convinced that slavery was wrong. After a few weeks, when the slave ship landed on Africa’s west coast, John had a severe backsliding in his relationship with Christ. He stopped reading the Bible, became careless in prayer and had no Christian fellowship. Trying to resist the temptation to rape slave women, he could not. Off the ship he had a black mistress for his pleasure. Newton wrote, “I was almost as bad as before.” Then Newton was struck with a terrible disease, which was surely discipline from God. He was under deep conviction and had betrayed Christ. He wondered if Christ would forgive him for such gross sins. While weak and almost delirious, he turned to Christ for mercy once again. John said, “I made no more resolves, but cast myself upon the Lord to do with me as He would please.” John Newton received forgiveness in grace. He experienced peace in grace. Newton later wrote, “Though I have grieved His Spirit and foolishly wandered from him since, his powerful grace has preserved me from such black declensions as this I have recorded.” Grace and law cannot co-exist. We cannot be under grace and law for salvation and Christian living (sanctification). Grace is the key to living a positive life for Christ (Gal. 3:3). Grace is not license to sin. Grace is the way to true service for Christ. Grace gives us a deep appreciation for our God who saved us, is saving us and will save us by grace through faith alone. John Newton, after really grasping the meaning of grace, wrote the most famous Christian hymn of all time: Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, But now am found; Was blind, but now I see. Are You Free? Bible in a Year: Exodus 25-26; Matthew 20:17-34 We are not children of the bondwoman but of the free. — Galatians 4:31 Today's Scripture: Galatians 4:21-31 Kizzy Kinte didn’t have a chance. The daughter of Kunta Kinte in Alex Haley’s epic book Roots wanted to slip the bonds of slavery and live free, as her ancestors had done in Africa. But she couldn’t. She was born of a slavewoman, Bell Kinte, and in those terrible days of bondage, she was destined to live as a slave. Kizzy’s parentage-over which she had no control-dictated her destiny. That sounds a little like Galatians 4:31, where Paul used an analogy of an Old Testament story to help us understand bondage and freedom. Alluding to the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar, Paul explained the difference between the child of a bondwoman (Hagar) and the child of a freewoman (Sarah). Only the child of the freewoman could enjoy an inheritance; the other was destined to bondage. Here’s the point: each of us-male or female, Jew or Gentile, black or white, rich or poor-can share in God’s inheritance. All who trust in Jesus as Savior become “not children of the bondwoman but of the free” (v.31). We are released from the bondage of the law of God and offered God’s grace instead. And our inheritance is freedom-absolute freedom in Christ. Reflect & Pray Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night, Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come; Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light, Jesus, I come to Thee. -Sleeper True freedom is found in bondage to Christ.