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.

Galatians 4:24 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to Paul’s larger argument in Galatians 4:21-31, where he contrasts the law and the promise, bondage and freedom. In the preceding verses, Paul retells the account of Abraham’s two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, and their mothers, Hagar and Sarah, to illustrate two different covenants and two corresponding ways of relating to God.

Meaning

Paul states that these historical events are an allegory. The Greek word used, allēgoroumena, means “things being allegorized” or “spoken figuratively.” Paul is not denying the historical reality of the events; rather, he draws a symbolic comparison to teach a spiritual truth. The two women represent two covenants.

Hagar, the bondwoman, represents the covenant from Mount Sinai, which “gendereth to bondage“—that is, it produces children destined for slavery. This covenant is the law given at Sinai, which is stern and severe, and its observance is costly and onerous, resembling a state of bondage. The phrase “which is Agar” identifies Hagar as the appropriate symbol because her condition as a slave parallels the servitude produced by the law.

Ishmael was born through human effort, as Abraham and Sarah tried to fulfil God’s promise in their own way, outside of God’s timing and plan. Hagar and Ishmael picture human striving, self-reliance, and the works of the flesh that cannot bring about salvation.

In contrast, Paul goes on to speak of the second covenant, represented by Sarah, the mother of Isaac. Sarah symbolizes the promise of God and the covenant of grace. Isaac was born miraculously through God’s intervention and promise, in accordance with His divine plan. This covenant is marked by faith and the grace of God, not by human effort.

Application

By using this allegory, Paul explains the difference between two ways of relating to God: one based on law and works, the other based on promise and grace. He encourages the Galatians to embrace the freedom that comes with the new covenant and not to turn back to the bondage of the law.