Galatians 4:24

KJV

Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

KJV (with Strong's)

Which things {G3748} are {G2076} an allegory {G238}: for {G1063} these {G3778} are {G1526} the two {G1417} covenants {G1242}; the one {G3391}{G3303} from {G575} the mount {G3735} Sinai {G4614}, which gendereth {G1080} to {G1519} bondage {G1397}, which {G3748} is {G2076} Agar {G28}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now, to make a midrash on these things: the two women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children for slavery — this is Hagar.

Berean Standard Bible

These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar.

American Standard Version

Which things contain an allegory: for these women are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage, which is Hagar.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Galatians 4:24, the Apostle Paul employs an allegorical interpretation of the Old Testament narrative concerning Abraham's two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, and their mothers, Hagar and Sarah. This verse serves as a pivotal point in his argument against the Judaizers, explicitly stating that these historical events symbolize two distinct covenants: the Old Covenant, represented by Mount Sinai and Hagar, which leads to spiritual bondage, and by implication, the New Covenant of grace and freedom, represented by Sarah and Isaac, which Paul will further elaborate upon. Paul uses this powerful illustration to underscore the fundamental difference between salvation by law and salvation by grace, emphasizing that reliance on legalistic adherence inevitably results in slavery to sin and the Law's demands.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Galatians 4:24 is situated within Paul's fervent defense of justification by faith alone, a central theme of his letter to the Galatians. Chapters 3 and 4 specifically address the relationship between the Law and the Promise. Paul has already established that believers are children of God through faith in Christ, not through adherence to the Mosaic Law ([Galatians 3:26](/galatians/3-26 "Galatians 3:26 - Children of God by Faith")). He uses the analogy of a child heir under a guardian to explain the temporary nature of the Law, which served to bring people to Christ ([Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Guardian")). Leading up to verse 24, Paul expresses his concern for the Galatians' regression into legalism, lamenting their desire to be enslaved by elemental principles ([Galatians 4:9](/galatians/4-9 "Galatians 4:9 - Turning Back to Weak and Worthless Principles")). The allegorical illustration of Hagar and Sarah, beginning in verse 21, is a rhetorical masterstroke, using a narrative from the very Law the Judaizers revered to dismantle their arguments for legalism and highlight the liberating truth of the Gospel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The letter to the Galatians was written to churches in the Roman province of Galatia, likely facing pressure from "Judaizers"—Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile converts must be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law to be truly saved. This was a critical theological dispute in the early church, challenging the very essence of the Gospel. Paul's audience would have been familiar with the Genesis accounts of Abraham, Hagar, Sarah, Ishmael, and Isaac, as these were foundational narratives in Jewish tradition. The concept of "covenants" was also deeply ingrained in their understanding of God's relationship with humanity, particularly the Abrahamic Covenant and the Mosaic Covenant. Paul's use of allegory, while perhaps surprising to some, was a recognized method of interpretation in both Jewish and Hellenistic thought, allowing him to draw profound spiritual lessons from historical events. His specific application, however, was revolutionary, reinterpreting these narratives to demonstrate the superiority of the New Covenant in Christ over the Old Covenant of Law.
* **Key Themes:** Galatians 4:24 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Galatians. Foremost is the theme of **Justification by Faith vs. Works of the Law**, with this verse powerfully illustrating how reliance on the Law leads to spiritual **Bondage** rather than freedom. Paul contrasts the **Old Covenant** (represented by Mount Sinai and Hagar) which "gendereth to bondage," with the **New Covenant** (implied, and further developed in subsequent verses, represented by Sarah and Jerusalem above) which offers **Freedom in Christ**. This passage also highlights Paul's strategic use of **Old Testament Interpretation** to support New Testament truths, demonstrating that the Law itself, when rightly understood, points to the necessity of grace. The allegorical method here is not to deny historicity but to reveal deeper theological implications, emphasizing that the historical events of Genesis foreshadow the spiritual realities of salvation history, particularly the contrast between those who pursue righteousness through human effort and those who receive it as a gift through faith in Christ Jesus ([Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **allegory (Greek, _allēgoréō'_):** From G238. To allegorize. Paul explicitly states that the narrative of Hagar and Sarah functions as an allegory. This means that while the story is historically true, it also carries a deeper, symbolic meaning intended to convey a spiritual truth. Paul is not denying the literal events but is drawing out their typological significance to illustrate the nature of the two covenants.
* **covenants (Greek, _diathḗkē'_):** From G1242. Properly, a disposition, i.e. (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will). This term refers to solemn agreements or divine arrangements God made with humanity. Here, Paul identifies two distinct covenants: the one associated with Mount Sinai (the Mosaic Law) and, by implication, the covenant of promise (the Abrahamic and New Covenants). The contrast between these two forms the core of Paul's argument for Christian freedom.
* **bondage (Greek, _douleía'_):** From G1397. Slavery (ceremonially or figuratively). Paul states that the covenant from Mount Sinai "gendereth to bondage." This signifies a state of spiritual slavery, where individuals are held captive by the demands of the Law, constantly striving to earn righteousness through works, and ultimately failing, leading to condemnation rather than freedom. It contrasts sharply with the freedom offered through faith in Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which things are an allegory:"** Paul introduces his interpretive method, declaring that the preceding narrative concerning Abraham's two sons and their mothers (Hagar and Sarah) is not merely historical but also functions as an allegory. This signifies that the historical events are being used to reveal deeper, spiritual truths about the nature of God's covenants and the path to righteousness.
* **"for these are the two covenants;"** The conjunction "for" (G1063, _gár_) indicates that Paul is providing the reason or explanation for his allegorical interpretation. The "things" he has just described—the two women and their sons—represent two distinct covenants. This immediately sets up a theological contrast that is central to his argument against legalism and for salvation by grace.
* **"the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar."** Paul identifies the first of the two covenants. This covenant originates "from the mount Sinai," clearly referring to the Mosaic Law given to Israel. He then powerfully declares that this covenant "gendereth to bondage," meaning it produces or gives birth to a state of spiritual slavery. This is because the Law, by its nature, reveals sin and demands perfect obedience, which no one can perfectly fulfill, thus leading to condemnation and a perpetual state of striving. This covenant is directly associated with Hagar, Abraham's bondwoman, symbolizing its nature.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several **literary devices** in Galatians 4:24. The most prominent is **Allegory**, as explicitly stated by Paul himself. He takes a historical narrative from Genesis and treats it as a symbolic representation of deeper theological truths, specifically the contrast between two covenants. This is not a denial of historicity but an extraction of spiritual meaning. He also uses **Personification** by attributing the act of "gendering" or "giving birth" to the covenant itself, stating it "gendereth to bondage." This vivid imagery emphasizes the inherent outcome of attempting to gain righteousness through the Law. Furthermore, there is clear **Symbolism**, where Hagar symbolizes the covenant of Mount Sinai and its outcome of bondage, setting the stage for Sarah to symbolize the covenant of promise and freedom in the subsequent verses. This allegorical framework serves as a powerful **Rhetorical Device** to persuade the Galatians of the folly of returning to legalism and the liberating truth of the Gospel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 4:24 is a theological linchpin in Paul's argument for Christian liberty. It fundamentally distinguishes between two ways of relating to God: through the Law, which leads to spiritual slavery, and through grace, which leads to freedom. The Old Covenant, symbolized by Mount Sinai and Hagar, was characterized by demands and the revelation of sin, ultimately leading to a state of condemnation for those who sought to be justified by its works. This verse underscores that the Law's purpose was not to provide life but to expose humanity's inability to meet God's perfect standards, thereby driving people to seek salvation elsewhere. It sets the stage for the profound truth that true righteousness and sonship come not through human effort or adherence to external regulations, but through a radical, faith-based relationship with Christ.

* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")
* [Hebrews 8:6-7](/hebrews/8-6-7 "Hebrews 8:6-7 - A Better Covenant")
* [2 Corinthians 3:6-9](/2_corinthians/3-6-9 "2 Corinthians 3:6-9 - The Ministry of the Spirit vs. the Ministry of Condemnation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 4:24 offers a profound spiritual mirror for believers today. It challenges us to examine the foundation of our faith and our ongoing walk with God. Are we living in the freedom of grace, trusting in Christ's finished work, or are we subtly, perhaps unconsciously, slipping back into a legalistic mindset, attempting to earn God's favor through our performance, good deeds, or adherence to a set of rules? This verse reminds us that any system, teaching, or personal discipline that adds human effort as a prerequisite for salvation or spiritual acceptance inevitably leads to "bondage." True spiritual growth and joy are found not in striving to meet an impossible standard, but in resting in the perfect righteousness of Christ and living out of the abundance of His grace. It calls us to embrace the liberating truth that we are children of the promise, not of the law, and to live in the freedom that Christ has secured for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you find yourself subtly relying on your own efforts or performance to feel accepted by God?**
* **How does understanding the "bondage" of the Law help you appreciate the "freedom" found in Christ?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more fully embrace and live out of the grace and freedom offered in the New Covenant?**
* **How can you share the liberating truth of the two covenants with others who may be struggling under legalistic burdens?**

### FAQ
**What does Paul mean by "allegory" in Galatians 4:24?**

Answer: When Paul states that "these things are an allegory," he is not suggesting that the historical account of Abraham, Hagar, Sarah, Ishmael, and Isaac is fictional or merely a made-up story. Instead, he is employing a recognized interpretive method to show that these historical events carry a deeper, symbolic, and spiritual meaning that illuminates the nature of God's covenants. Paul is drawing out the typological significance of the Old Testament narrative to illustrate the contrast between the Old Covenant (Law) and the New Covenant (Grace), demonstrating how the former leads to bondage and the latter to freedom. He uses the historical account as a powerful object lesson for his theological argument.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 4:24, by clearly defining the covenant from Mount Sinai as one that "gendereth to bondage," powerfully sets the stage for the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The Law, while holy and good, could only reveal humanity's sin and inability to perfectly obey, thus leading to condemnation and spiritual slavery ([Romans 7:7-13](/romans/7-7-13 "Romans 7:7-13 - The Law and Sin")). Christ, however, is the very embodiment of the New Covenant, the "better covenant" established on "better promises" ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant")). He perfectly fulfilled the righteous demands of the Law, living a sinless life, and then, as the ultimate Lamb of God, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of humanity ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through faith in Him, believers are freed from the curse and bondage of the Law, no longer striving to earn righteousness but receiving it as a free gift ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law"); [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Christ is the "seed" of Abraham through whom all nations are blessed, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham, not the Law given at Sinai ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Promises Were Made to Abraham and to His Seed")). Thus, the allegorical contrast of Hagar (bondage) and Sarah (freedom) finds its ultimate resolution and glorious reality in the liberating work of Jesus Christ, who delivers us from slavery to sin and the Law into the glorious freedom of the children of God ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Stand Firm in Freedom")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 25:12

Now these [are] the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham:

Genesis 16:15

¶ And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.

Genesis 16:16

And Abram [was] fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

Matthew 13:35

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Hosea 11:10

They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

Hebrews 10:15

[Whereof] the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

Hebrews 10:18

Now where remission of these [is, there is] no more offering for sin.