Galatians 4:25

For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

For {G1063} this Agar {G28} is {G2076} mount {G3735} Sinai {G4614} in {G1722} Arabia {G688}, and {G1161} answereth {G4960} to Jerusalem {G2419} which {G3588} now is {G3568}, and {G1161} is in bondage {G1398} with {G3326} her {G846} children {G5043}.

Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Yerushalayim, for she serves as a slave along with her children.

Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.

Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children.

Context

In Galatians 4:25, the Apostle Paul continues his powerful allegorical argument, introduced in Galatians 4:22-24, using the story of Abraham's two sons, Ishmael (born of Hagar) and Isaac (born of Sarah). Paul is confronting the Judaizers in Galatia who insisted that Gentile Christians must adhere to the Mosaic Law, including circumcision, to be truly saved or perfected. This verse specifically links Hagar, the bondwoman, to Mount Sinai and "Jerusalem which now is," drawing a direct connection to the Old Covenant and the Law, which Paul argues leads to spiritual bondage.

Key Themes

  • Allegory of Covenants: Paul uses the historical figures of Hagar and Sarah to represent two distinct covenants: the Old Covenant (Law) and the New Covenant (Grace). Hagar, and by extension Mount Sinai, symbolizes the covenant of the Law, which brings forth children into bondage.
  • Bondage of the Law: The phrase "is in bondage with her children" directly underscores Paul's central argument throughout Galatians: seeking righteousness or salvation through adherence to the Law results in spiritual slavery, not freedom. This contrasts sharply with the freedom offered through faith in Christ.
  • Earthly vs. Heavenly Jerusalem: "Jerusalem which now is" refers to the earthly city, representative of the Jewish system of Law-keeping prevalent in Paul's time. This earthly Jerusalem, clinging to the Law, is spiritually aligned with Hagar and the covenant of bondage, standing in stark contrast to the "Jerusalem which is above" (Galatians 4:26), which represents freedom and the New Covenant.
  • The Nature of Mount Sinai: Paul explicitly connects Hagar to Mount Sinai, the very mountain where the Law was given (see Exodus 19). This emphasizes that the Law, though holy and good, was never intended to be the means of salvation, but rather to reveal sin and lead people to Christ (Galatians 3:24).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "answereth to" translates the Greek word systoichei (συστοιχεῖ), which means "corresponds to," "stands in the same rank with," or "is in the same category as." This term highlights the direct spiritual parallel Paul is drawing between Hagar, Mount Sinai, and the present-day legalistic system of Jerusalem. It's not a geographical statement about Mount Sinai being *in* Jerusalem, but an allegorical connection of spiritual realities.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a crucial reminder for believers today:

  • Beware of Legalism: Just as the Law brought bondage, any system that adds human rules, rituals, or works as a requirement for salvation or spiritual standing beyond faith in Christ leads to spiritual slavery. True freedom is found only in God's grace.
  • Embrace Grace: Our spiritual identity and standing with God are not based on our performance or adherence to a set of rules, but on the finished work of Jesus Christ. We are children of the free woman, not the bondwoman.
  • Discern True Freedom: The message of Galatians, powerfully encapsulated in this allegory, calls us to live in the freedom Christ has provided, not returning to any form of spiritual servitude.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 68:17

    The chariots of God [are] twenty thousand, [even] thousands of angels: the Lord [is] among them, [as in] Sinai, in the holy [place].

  • Psalms 68:8

    The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: [even] Sinai itself [was moved] at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

  • Acts 1:11

    Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

  • Matthew 23:37

    O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!

  • Judges 5:5

    The mountains melted from before the LORD, [even] that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.

  • Luke 13:34

    O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen [doth gather] her brood under [her] wings, and ye would not!

  • Deuteronomy 33:2

    And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand [went] a fiery law for them.

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